Rising Stars: Meet Lisa Riannson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Riannson.

Hi Lisa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I started painting around 2009. Although I always saw my true self as an artist and had always wanted to paint, I always focused on more practical needs until I had some extra time where I felt I could start learning. I started with watercolor because it was the most accessible medium for me, especially living in a small apartment at the time, and I fell in love with it.

I love the way the light goes through all of the layers and how the water blends the colors on its own. It feels like a conversation with the water and the paper. It feels like magic. Since I started, I put my paintings in community co-op galleries. This helped me gauge what worked and what didn’t. I learned so much by talking to other artists and looking at their work.

I developed a pretty solid style and subject matter. I painted a lot of wine glasses and bottles. What drew me to that subject was the tiny light reflections in the glass. I love bright lights next to deep darks and glass gives that to you in so many tiny spaces, it’s beautiful. Watercolor is such a beautiful medium to capture those subtleties.

Eventually, I started putting myself out there as a watercolor teacher as well. I wanted to share my knowledge with others so they could find enjoyment in watercolor painting as well. I taught at Colorado Free University and Park Hill Art Club, in addition to having some private students.

Through the years I’ve won various awards for my work and exhibited in New York. One of the things I’m most proud of is getting to be an Artist Demonstrator at the Denver Art Museum.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Honestly, the majority of my obstacles were self-imposed. I grew up in a religion that was heavy on guilt and shame and very black and white. I spent most of my life doing what I “should” do and what other people told me to do. I was married to a partner who wasn’t supportive of my personal goals and dreams. I was in a career I hated. I was even painting what I knew I could do well, rather than taking risks and painting something that made me feel alive.

Eventually, I had to tear all of that down – my worldview, my beliefs, my career, and my marriage. The turning point was my divorce. I grew up believing that divorce was one of the worst things you could do, so there was a lot of emotional turmoil I had to overcome to make that choice and face the consequences.

Along the way, I learned to ask myself “Do you like this? Does this make you happy?” I started saying no to the things that didn’t make me happy and yes to the things that did. Now I have a career in data where I manage a business intelligence team for a data science consulting firm and I’m getting my Masters’s in Statistics. I have a new partner who is very supportive and encouraging.

You can even see it in my art. My more recent work is free and flowing. I paint with watercolor and acrylic now and my subject matter ranges from semi-realistic to abstract. I put a lot more emotion into my work now than I did before. Now I’m living the life I always dreamed of, being my authentic self, and pursuing what makes me feel alive.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I’m an introvert and a hermit by nature, so at first, it was nice to be able to stay in my home, just working, reading, and painting. I had worked remotely for years before Covid-19 as well, so not a lot changed for me in my day-to-day, besides the kids attending school from home. However, I’ve learned that we need that human connection and that without it, it’s hard for us to stay sane.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lisariannson.com
• Instagram: @LisaRiannson

Image Credits
Amanda J Armstrong and Erin Peterson