Lisa Fellerson discovered her talent for fine art back in 4th grade, clearly being a creative was in her blood and it’s no surprise that she has built a successful career on the back of it.

Here, we chat to Lisa to find out more about her creativity, plans for the future and what she likes to do for fun…

Tell us about the journey that lead you to becoming an artist?
At this point in my life I’m just starting to understand it. As a child I remember that I could get lost in making something. I loved it. But I had an interesting, what I consider a Divine intervention that really led me to painting. After my second year in college at age 19, I decided to road trip to Los Angeles with a friend who was moving there. I ended up staying a year before returning to graduate. During this year in L.A., I really discovered how much I loved art, creative people, and the creative process. I just aligned with it and I knew it was my path. When I returned to college I immediately enrolled in the Fine Art program. I painted 8 hours a day and never wanted to leave the studio. I love everything about paintings, from the feel of a brush hitting a canvas, to buying supplies, to setting up the studio, to waiting for the best natural light to enter my studio. I feel even closer to painting to this day.

What do you do when you’re lacking creativity?.
I love this question, because it happens! I take out my photo album journals I’ve created for all my trips, sit on the floor, make a cup of tea and listen to my favorite music while I page through. Surrounding myself with different mediums can really get the creative juices going. Music can instantly help you channel inward. I couldn’t start a painting without it. Lately my mix has been really eclectic. I love Gianluca Grignani from Italy, Vanessa da Mata from Brazil, Wasis Diop from Senegal/Paris, and Jhene Aiko from Los Angeles. I also listen to a lot of Indian sitar and American jazz when I really need to get in the zone. I think all artists need some kind of ritual before beginning their work. Being alone in my studio is a way of creating my own world, and escaping. Many times in my studio I just hang out and not accomplish much. I don’t let this get to me anymore, because the next session in my studio could change everything and an entire new direction could begin to emerge. I’ve learned over the years downtime is part of the creative process and I believe it is essential.

When did you discover that you had a talent for fine art?
In the 4th grade I won a school wide drawing contest, but the year I lived in Los Angeles at age 19 was my real catalyst into art. I started visiting art museums and galleries and would leave with a feeling that made sense to me. I couldn’t wait to channel my inner world through painting. I also love the physicality of it. Painting feels like “home” to me.

What does 2020 look like for the brand?
I would love to exhibit my work more in Europe. It feels like my future. When I was in Paris this past February, I got so excited about the possibility of an exhibition there I could hardly sleep. I love how the French embrace the color pink, a color I love and use often. It would be a dream come true! I want to keep studying art history. Lately I have been really looking at French Romanticism, in particular the work of Theodore Chasseriau. Completely the opposite of my work, but I love the drama of it.

What advice would you offer for any aspiring artists?
Really know yourself and believe in what you do. Life can give many distractions, but forgive yourself when you are not feeling it. That is actually a time for new ideas to emerge. Success may come all at once, and then for a while it seems nothing is happening. This is all part of the process and is ok. Celebrate what you have accomplished, want to accomplish and keep this foremost in your mind. As an artist, it is important to have a solid body of work together that you truly believe in before you begin to market yourself to the art world. You will feel more confident when you are speaking about it. It will show in your eyes and others will then believe in it as well. Surround yourself with supportive and positive people. Stay flexible with opportunities. Things have come along for me I never expected, but I embrace them!

Looking back, is there anything you would do differently?
Yes, I would be less hard on myself and understand creativity is all over the place and can be messy and sometimes frustrating. This is part of it. Eventually you will produce work you will love. I look back at paintings I did in my 20s and see how they were leading me to where I am now with my work. I can now look back with gratitude and a smile.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?
Ah! This changes by the hour but I would love to go to Mauritius and Viet Nam! I’ve only scratched the surface of Asia and there is so much more I want to see and experience there. I think everyone should visit Paris and Rome.

You’re very well traveled, what’s your most memorable moment and where?
I love this. There are so many I would not want to leave out, but I have to say meeting two of my best friends during my travels, one in Oaxaca, Mexico and the other in Ubud, Bali. I will never forget watching Buddhist monks at sunrise blessing local people along the roads in Sukhothai, Thailand. It was so beautiful to witness. I loved watching surfing in Essaoura, Morocco. I printed and developed my own black and white 35mm film photography at and art school in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. My photos from that time are my treasures. Every moment in Paris and Rome are magical. Ahhh…. I love the world!

As someone who lives in New York, what three things would you suggest to do in the city for a first time visitor?
Visit the Met Museum of Art and Central Park. Friday nights in the summer are the best at the Met.

Take the ferry from Manhattan to Long Island City, Queens at night. You can see Manhattan skyline, Queens, and the Brooklyn Bridge all in one. The city in lights is gorgeous at night!

Stroll around cozy neighborhoods such as SoHo and the East Village during a weekday morning. You’ll get a much more local feel.

Outside of the business, what do you like to do for fun?
I love to go to bookstores for quiet and inspiration. I love Rizzoli Books in the Flatiron district of Manhattan. I love to cook and discover new music and go to the beach as much as possible, any beach! Being around water always relaxes me. I love a good laugh with my friends. I am always researching and dreaming about my next travel.

What does self care mean to you?
Really checking in with myself each day and paying at attention to how I am feeling. Having downtown and getting a good night sleep. When I start to get overwhelmed, I lay on the floor in Shivasana for ten minutes, meditate, and listen to Indian sitar. Making sure that life is not all work. Play and travel are very important to me, and so is a good facial.

Find out more…

www.lisafellerson.com

Instagram @lisafellerson

Artsy.net

1stdibs.com

lisafellerson@gmail.com

Author

Northern girl Laura is the epitome of a true entrepreneur. Laura’s spirit for adventure and passion for people blaze through House of Coco. She founded House of Coco in 2014 and has grown it in to an internationally recognised brand whilst having a lot of fun along the way. Travel is in her DNA and she is a true visionary and a global citizen.

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