Interview with Prentice Hall Publishers

I started by asking Lisa what was her primary source of inspiration?
My source of inspiration changes and varies as I evolve as an artist. Thinking back, I would say that my style started to develop in 1983. I was heavily influenced then by music and applying a stream of consciousness type of creative flow - something that writers do to get their creative juices flowing. It allows the ego to step aside and access non-judgmental parts of oneself (the subconscious mind). Ultimately, the ego comes back in to assess the work and make changes in the final outcome. Many of the early pieces were hand drawn with traditional media such as colored pencil, pen and ink, watercolor, acrylic and oil paints. Years later, when computers started to become accessible (desktop publishing), the software and tools were a primary source of inspiration. I spent about three years working with some of my traditional artwork, scanning it into the computer and experimenting with the various tools, plug-ins and color controls. At that time, the only archival printing media for output that I could find was called an Oil Based Dye Transfer. Inspiration can come from almost anywhere these days - I rely on discovery and keeping my eyes open for something that strikes my fancy. Music, writings, artwork and people also inspire me and help me reach inside of myself for answers. Nature, in found objects such as bones, pieces of wood, feathers, flowers – fresh and dried, etc. — death itself in nature has been a form of inspiration. My goals are beauty, harmony and symmetry – the same goals as artists working in the Renaissance time period.

Did you have formal art training?
Yes, I am a graduate of the Hussian School of Art in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. This was a four year commercial art program based on a solid foundation of mastering these classic studies: drawing, painting, illustration, color & design, perspective, photography, advertising, typography, printmaking and art history. All of the professors were professional commercial or fine artists making their living in the field.

Can you explain the term Metaphysical Painting?
When I was trying to figure out what my style would be called in the fine art world, I began reading excerpts from the writings of painters and sculptors to learn the way those Master Artists thought about their art. I stumbled upon Giorgio De Chirico’s ideas in the early 1900’s where he speaks of his "Metaphysical Painting" and his ideas closely resembled my own thinking and so that is why I call my art style Metaphysical. In his words: "To become truly immortal a work of art must escape all human limits: logic and common sense will only interfere. But once these barriers are broken, it will enter the regions of childhood visions and dream." and "Everything has two aspects: the current aspect, which we see nearly always and which ordinary men see, and the ghostly and metaphysical aspect, which only rare individuals may see in moments of clairvoyance and metaphysical abstraction. A work of art must narrate something that does not appear within its outline. I remember one vivid winter’s day at Versailles. Silence and calm reigned supreme. Everything gazed at me with mysterious, questioning eyes. And then I realized that every corner of the palace, every column, every window possessed a spirit, an impenetrable soul…At that moment I grew aware of the mystery which urges men to create certain strange forms. And the creation appeared more extraordinary than the creators."1

Can you describe the background of the Mandala style that is so present in your art?
"A mandala is a drawing that is used in meditation because it tends to draw your focus back to the center, and it can be as simple as a geometric figure or as complicated as a stained glass window." 2
A mandala as described by Carl Gustav Jung, Swiss Mystic and Psychologist, (1875-1961) is "the premonition of a centre of personality, a kind of central point within the psyche, to which everything is related, by which everything is arranged, and which is itself a source of energy."
Joseph Polansky, noted Astrologer, wrote of my work - " Many of her works are of the mandala style – hieroglyphs of wholeness– nature forms seen in a new way. But many are reminiscent of Dali and his surrealism– we are in another space, where nature forms and human forms coexist and tell a dream like story".
Every completed work of art I have, is the result of a meditation – with my mind and the computer – which is like looking into my own mind. The resulting imagery is a picture of the subconsious thoughts I receive during this meditation.

Tradigital art is another term that you use to describe your art.
Can you elaborate on that?
Tradigital art is a relatively new word that describes a new type of fine art that combines traditional painting, drawing and photography with digital media (software and tools). I like to think of it as a bridge that unites the past, present and future into a new complete form. Ralph Mayer wrote in 1978 in The artist's handbook of materials and techniques: "... the widespread application of new and improved raw materials and technical methods almost always coincided with the introduction of new art forms. New standards of excellence, both artistic and technical, always become established with the development of any new methods and materials, and in their own way they become just as complete artistic expressions as the older traditional standards."

Your designs are diverse, from Abstract to Still Life to Mystical.
Is any particular style your favorite?
It would be whatever currently interests and inspires me at the time. When I am in one phase, I usually develop art in that vein. I may be in one phase for a year or so, then my inspiration takes me elsewhere.

What is your process when you begin with a new design?
Is it color, the subject or something else?
It is usually the subject, the original source of inspiration and then the background idea forms around the subject. This can change many times until the final piece is determined.

What advice would you give to other artists just starting to explore
the digital medium?
I would say to have a solid foundation in the principles of observation, drawing, painting, etc. This has helped me immeasurably in understanding the tools and color adjustments available in the various programs – and also to make the right decisions regarding composition and design. I might also say that they should be working on developing their own style – which invariably evolves by studying and oftentimes copying the work of those that have gone before. Constantly evaluate your efforts over the years - you will be amazed at how your tastes and ideas have changed as you grow and evolve as an artist.

— Steve Greenberg, October 2004
1. Artists on Art, ed. by Goldwater and Treves, Pantheon Books 1945
2. Dr. C. George Boeree