Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Crawford
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been drawing and making art since I was a kid, but my passion for illustration really reignited during the pandemic. When our family trip to the Philippines was canceled in 2020, I felt inspired to reconnect with my heritage in other ways. I initially created my Bisaya flash card deck as a personal project, but after receiving so much support from fellow Bisaya Fil-Ams, I decided to sell them online and at local markets.
I’ve been in business for two years now, and in addition to the deck I also create stickers, art, and paper goods (greeting cards, giftwrap etc). I love it! It’s been so rewarding to connect with other Filipino creatives in the Austin area, and the community here is so fun and supportive.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been relatively smooth, thankfully. My main challenge has been finding a balance between my art practice, my day job, and spending time with my family. I’m lucky to have a supportive partner, which has been a huge help!
I also experience creativity in cycles—sometimes I’m overflowing with inspiration and ideas, and other times I feel burned out and anxious about the world. I’m learning to embrace whichever phase I’m in and not stress too much about how “productive” I am in any given moment.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m Lisa Crawford, a Filipino-American illustrator based in Austin, Texas. I create vibrant, cheerful art, stickers, and paper goods, mostly inspired by my childhood memories of the Philippines. Connecting with others in the Filipino diaspora over our shared experiences is something I truly enjoy.
I’m most proud of my Bisaya flash card deck. It started as a personal project during the pandemic and inspired me to launch my business. It makes me so happy when people discover my deck and get excited—whether they’re learning their family’s mother tongue or helping their kids/grandkids learn. There aren’t many artful learning resources for Bisaya (most focus on Tagalog), so I’m thrilled to be a resource for others.
While most of my projects are personally driven, I also enjoy collaborating with others in the Fil-Am community. Some of my favorite projects include a custom illustration & mural I created for Sari-Sari Supper Club in San Antonio, and designing TAYO NA, a local magazine that celebrates Filipino creatives in the Austin area.
What matters most to you? Why?
Community and curiosity are so important to me—they’ve helped me grow, stay inspired, and have fun! I love collaborating with others in my local creative community, sharing ideas, and getting feedback or support. It makes our experiences and creative work so much richer. I’m also driven to explore and create, whether that’s trying new art mediums, picking up new hobbies, or traveling to new places. I’m always excited to experiment and keep evolving, both as a person and as an artist.
Pricing:
- Bisaya flash card deck – $38.00
- Art prints – $18 – 30
- Stickers – $4
- Cards – $8
- Giftwrap – $12
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lisalisa.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisalisa.co/
Image Credits
Joi Conti
