Rising Stars: Meet Lisa Concannon

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

Hi Lisa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I moved to Austin in the early 90s and of course, fell in love with everything about it. I was acting and modeling at that point in my life. I’ve also been a musician and a seamstress. It was actually sewing that got me back into painting. I had an upcycled, wearable art clothing line on Etsy for years. I loved creating “paintings” with fabric, kind of like collage. Let me back up a little to say Art (painting and drawing) has always been a part of my life. It just wasn’t something I thought of pursuing full time. Growing up, my paternal Grandfather was a
taxidermist. As a matter of fact, one of my Uncles is a world champion wildlife designer. And my maternal grandmother was an accomplished oil painter. So these creative energies were always around me. The taxidermy animals captured my imagination. It was a major influence on me as far as my love and fascination for animals. At one point during the seamstress years, I started painting on my pieces and thought, why am I not painting anymore?

I got out the paints and never looked back. In 2017 I stopped sewing and committed to painting exclusively. I mostly paint in Acrylics but over the last year have become a brand ambassador for a wonderful watercolor company and am really falling in love with the medium and painting many more watercolor pieces. It feels like I’ve finally figured out what I truly love to do. It’s just a bonus that I’ve found collectors around the world that support my work. It’s been really fulfilling. I have a couple of art licensing deals as well. Readers can find those collections at icanvas.com and greenboxart.com.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The hardest part of being an artist is learning to not let your inner critic derail you. Showing up and doing the work, staying in the process when things get difficult, working through the awkward, ugly phases of a painting, having faith in yourself.

The more you practice this, it will get easier, I promise.

I always say it’s all about the process.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in magical, otherworldly compositions featuring wildlife, especially birds. I do love a good floral as well and am known for my dark backgrounds and details.

I use the term “magical realism ” often when referring to my work.

I paint in Acrylics and watercolor and sometimes collage.

It takes years of painting to find your “style” or aesthetic, but trust me, it will happen naturally if you show up every day and put in the work.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lisaconcannonart.etsy
• Instagram: lisa_concannon_art

Image Credits
All photos by Lisa Concannon art