Festival Fete presents Lisa Kretchman, a mixed-media artist residing in Douglas, Massachusetts where she lives in happy chaos with her husband, two cats and two Australian Shepherds. Lisa started out as a traditional illustrator using soft pastels and scratchboard. While attending Massachusetts College of Art and Design, she studied illustration and was introduced to digital painting software.
Blending those skills, she worked for over 15 years as a multimedia artist and animator.
Over time she missed the feeling of creating art by hand, and eventually returned to her traditional artistic roots to create more meaningful and personal artwork. Much of her current work is inspired by traditional subject matter - landscapes, seascapes and botanicals. Taking reference photos on her travels, she paints the diverse environment of her native New England.
Finding these explorations of the natural world joyful and peaceful, Lisa tries to communicate those feelings through her artwork.
Her pieces are bold and colorful, and she often uses vibrant pastels to add impact and emotion to her art.
Because of her illustration background, Lisa also enjoys creating narrative works that incorporate symbolism. She is currently working on a series of illustrative paintings for Olivia’s Heart Fund, a Rhode Island charity which supports research for children with congenital heart defects (CHD). Each painting represents a child with CHD, and as she works on each one, Lisa records the story and artistic process on her blog.
Lisa’s work has been shown at several local art stores and galleries, including the Attleboro Arts Museum’s 2010 Flower Show, where she received a merit award.
You can view Lisa's beautiful paintings online by visiting her Art Portfolio AND her Art Blog, where she details the inspiration and process of her work.
Lisa's TIPS for Aspiring Artists
"I feel that we are all meant to be creative in some way. I sometimes hear people say that they “could never paint like that” because they feel that they are not naturally artistic. But part of being an artist is accepting that your work won’t be perfect, and you will never stop learning and working towards being better. Give yourself permission to get there over time. The process of being creative is just as important as the end result. Make something – anything - artistic, and know that it is for YOU, not for the rest of the world to judge. By making art you heal your soul."
SUPPORT Lisa and your other local artists by attending the Garden City Center Art Festival on June 11, 2011 and by "liking" our Festival Fete Facebook Page!
Have a great day!
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Festival Fete at Garden City Center is proud to be sponsored by Presenting Sponsor, Webster Bank along with RI Monthly, Whole Foods Market of Cranston, Natural Awakenings, Garden City Center and Robyn Ivy Photography.
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