Interview with Lisa Rickard
“My artwork can be described as Imaginative Realism with my muses carefully choreographed to represent the universal themes of being human.”
Lisa Rickard is a figurative artist presently painting in her Southeast Florida studio. She attended Temple University’s Tyler School of Art and received her BFA from Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. Her work was in the 2021 International Guild of Realism Spring Salon and can be seen online at Art Fluent in both the’ Femme’ and ‘Lumiere’ exhibits as well as at the San Fernando Valley Arts & Culture Center ‘Models in Motion’ exhibit. Lisa’s figurative work has been awarded as Finalist in the 15th International ARC Salon (2021), Artist Magazine (Jan/Feb 2021), International Artist Magazine (April/May 2021), Artist Magazine’s Best of Drawing special edition (Nov 2021) and awarded First Place in the San Fernando Valley Arts and Culture Center ‘Models in Motion’ exhibit.
Q&A
What does ICONIC mean in relation to your artwork? In relation to my artwork, ICONIC means something that is characteristic of an icon (an image, emblem, idol or hero) that is considered symbolic of something else like spirituality, virtue, evil or corruption. My nude figure paintings are ICONIC because they are an image that symbolically represents an abstract idea that is familiar to all human beings regardless of birthplace, race, nationality, or religion.
What concept or narrative is behind your work? The concept behind my work is to depict a realistic nude human figure in a choreographed environment to represent an abstract idea. The narrative is unique to each figure painting. All of my figures are painted in honor and celebration of the dignity yet vulnerability of every nude art model as primary contributors to the recent revival of realism in art. Having nude art models available to draw, paint and/or sculpt whether live, photographed or videotaped has always been essential to artists learning and/or practicing their craft. Nude models receive few accolades for their significant contribution to the creative process.
What is your ultimate goal for your artwork? Ultimately, the goal for my artwork is to visually communicate with thought-provoking paintings the infinitely complex and mysteriously beautiful psychological characteristics, feelings and behavioral patterns that we all share as human beings.
Explain your process. Like other painters, I use dots, lines, shapes & color to describe the dancing light that I see flowing over human form. However, my process is not linear or step-by-step. It allows for exploration, serendipity and accidents. In fact, when I am provoked by my imperfect brushstrokes, the form reveals itself much closer to the vision in my head. Each figure painting in my new series is carefully choreographed to represent an abstract idea about being human. Presently, I am transitioning into working at a much larger scale than usual for me. I have also wrote a poem to accompany my new series of paintings.
BIO HIGHLIGHTS
