Inside the Studio

Lisa Carney

What are the major themes you pursue in your work?

With the use of acrylic colors I tend to create imaginary escapist landscapes. I have always been fascinated with layers of soil, roots, minerals, corals, and rocks. The textures and lines I can find in the ground or on a rock are as much inspiring to me as an endless field of wildflowers. I paint by intuition, letting one color guide me to the next. This unconscious method of working allows me to give back what I take in.

What was the best advice given to you as an artist?

My husband once told me that if I did what I loved and loved what I did, then there’s bound to be someone on this planet that will love it too.

Prefer to work with music or in silence?

It depends, I’m a singer and music is often playing when I paint. There are times though that I completely forget my surroundings and work in silence.

If you could only have one piece of art in your life, what would it be?

This is difficult to answer because even when I’m not painting I’m obsessed with looking at art, abstract paintings mostly. It would have to be something huge with a lot of colors and textures. Something I could lose myself into and keep discovering and dreaming. Like a Twombly, Riopelle, or Pollock.

Who are your favorite writers?

I don’t really have a favorite author. I mostly read technical art related books, design articles, short stories, and poems.