Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Nelson.
Lisa, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I have always been drawn to art. As a student in high school, doodling all over my notebooks was my means of getting through each class. I had lost my brother and my mother in childhood, and somewhere along the line, art became a relief for me, a cushion to soften the blow that I felt as a young child.
I didn’t pursue art as a job until late in my 20’s. I honestly hadn’t even thought it was viable option, I was pregnant with my first child and found myself home after she was born. I was yearning for something to express myself and find meaning beyond motherhood. I started dabbling in graphic design which leads to illustration as a whole, and my life hasn’t been the same since. I love all practices of art and am still yearning to learn more about expressing myself with it every day.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I create family portraits for people. They send in a photo of their family, and I do a semi-modern rendition in hopes that they will cherish it forever as a keepsake. I didn’t set out to do this, it kind of fell in my lap and became what my art was most known for. I still love doing portraits, but I also love painting and illustration. Additionally, I love getting people who “aren’t creative” to get out from behind that shell and try something new creative. I especially love encouraging other moms to step outside of themselves and pursue something they haven’t tried before.
Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities, and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
I would encourage them to not start as a full-time artist right off the bat. It takes a momentum and building phase and its easiest to create freely when you know you still have a cushion to land on. Keep the day job and work on your craft at night or on the weekends. Before long, your art and following will grow and you’ll be able to rely on that income as opposed to your day job. Things don’t happen overnight. Slow and steady wins in the end.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
People can find and purchase my portraits in my etsy shop: www.mylittlebuffalo.etsy.com. They can also find other things I’m working on on my instagram feed: @mylittlebuffalo.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mylittlebuffalo.etsy.com
- Phone: 6163791058
- Email: lisaanner@gmail.com
- Instagram: @mylittlebuffalo
- Facebook: facebook.com/myilttlebuffalo
Image Credit:
Lisa Nelson
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