One to Watch

Lisa Kotoulas

Lisa Kotoulas is an emerging artist living and working in Sydney, Australia. She attended the University of New South Wales, receiving an M.A. in Painting from the College of Fine Arts and a B.A. in economics and philosophy. She is concerned with the human condition, capturing the mannerisms, emotions, and fleeting expressions of people in her gestural portraits.

Lisa has won several awards for her works and has been named a finalist for the Calleen Art Award (Cowra Regional Art Gallery), the Wyndham Art Prize (Wyndham Cultural Centre), and the Mosman Art Prize (Mosman Art Gallery). She has shown her works in Sydney and London, most recently at the Brand X Inc. Arthole group show and the Home@735 group show in Sydney.

What are the major themes you pursue in your work?

The human condition features heavily in my work. I am fascinated by people, their mannerisms, and their emotions and expressions. I am also inspired by unconventional ideas which may seem slightly left of center. My art revolves around merging the two.

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

Routine and structure are extremely important components of any practice. An organized environment facilitates and promotes incubation for inspiration.

Prefer to work with music or in silence? 

During the theoretical research component of my work, I need complete silence. Music is reserved for the painting process. My mood or the theme of the painting usually determines the album of choice. Music puts me in a very focused, relaxed, and meditative state.

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

Anything of Michaël Borremans’.

Who are your favorite writers?

My reading style is random and not associated with any particular writers. I like to mix things up with different books. My book list at the moment consists of The Wolf of Wall Street by Jordan Belfort, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks and Drive by Daniel H. Pink.