Verliebt Nutcracker

  “Don’t be afraid, my beard is long, my head is large, my look is grim but that matters not. I won’t bite you. In spite of my big mouth and grim appearance, I look with my heart for your happiness.”

Apparently my German heritage runs far deeper than enjoying German cuisine. I have a thing for traditional wooden nutcrackers - not the ones dressed as ballerinas and football players. At holiday time I get lost in the sea of nutcrackers at the store. Yesterday I ventured out to get batteries and left with the nutcracker you see on the right. I will keep my nutcrackers on display all year.

Why my fascination?

To me, nutcrackers represent strength, sophistication, and protection. They stand for individuality. They are stoic, classic, and regal. They are fundamentally what my work is about. My intention is to create strong characters that inspire the viewer to be better in their lives - better to themselves and other people, open their minds, and stretch their spiritual muscle. Self-mastery.

Would my paintings recycle if they could? Yes

Would my paintings say hello to people on the street and strike up a conversation? Yes

Would my paintings watch tv and read People magazine and such? Goodness no

Look at any photo of Katharine Hepburn. Read her book. Fascinating.

Yesterday I told a friend I could see myself having a room full of nutcrackers. Then this morning I saw this video. Apparently, I'm not the only one.

For more information on nutcrackers, visit The Magic of Nutcrackers. 

Lisa Albinger

www.lisaalbinger.com

The Fruits of Our Feminism

Six months into the paleo lifestyle, I easily consume 5-7 servings of fruit a day. Therefore fruit is frequently on my mind. A new road has emerged.

www.lisaalbinger.com

Lisa Albinger Answers the YabYum Seven

YabYum recently interviewed me and did a great job. I'm a stickler for professionalism and they were on the ball. Yes! This link takes you to the interview and shows a nice variety of my work.

YabYum Interview

                                                       

Pear-Honey-Brie

Pear-Honey-Brie

36" x 23", acrylic and collage on panel

August 2014, available

I eat a lot of fruit. It is typical for me to have 5-7 servings a day. This particular Friday I sat in front of the board eating a brown pear, trying to conjure up a great image, asking the painting what it wanted to express. Which variety of pear it was, I'm unsure. A Google search provided no definite answer.

This time I chose to forego my pear-honey-brie concoction and instead ate the pear in it's naked state. I have a habit to buy one new produce food a week in order to experience something different and was excited to try this pear.

But oh it was so bland. I sat in front of my new piece with the pear wondering 

How can this be?! Pear dreams shattered. Layer upon layer began to build over the following weeks as more and more fruit was devoured. 

I see a peach made it's debut as well.

Pear-Honey-Brie speaks of trusting and working with one's own body cycle and shape. It's about forging ahead through cranky days and making the best of every situation.

Pear-Honey-Brie is showing at Shade West Gallery at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Phoenix September-November 2014. Artist Reception is Saturday, September 20, 5-8pm

Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel

Lisa's website: www.lisaalbinger.com

Yesterday's Charm and Today's Clever Chaos

Yesterday's Charm and Today's Clever Chaos

35" x 24", oil, acrylic and collage on panel

July 2014, available

After a few revisions, Yesterday's Charm.. is now complete. With this piece, this series has unexpectedly turned a corner, which I welcome. It is a meeting of the minds.

Her Words Make My Skin Crawl, but I Still Like Her Hair

Her Words Make My Skin Crawl, but I Still Like Her Hair

38" x 25" oil, acrylic, collage on wood

True Story. This is part of the Intestinal series, however I've diverted onto a second path due to the spoken words of an author who made me cringe. A lesson of growth for sure, and ironically the inspiration of my current work. Meant to be? Of course.

Meeting Tori Amos

The end of July brought an unexpected meeting with singer Tori Amos (on the right). We've met a number of times over the years but this was the first time we were photographed together.

In 2008 I posed as her for artist Mike Dringenberg for Tori's annual RAINN benefit calendar. 

On this day she took home some of my greeting cards: Shortbread Serenade, The Heatmeister, Tea for Two, and Set the World Right. Inquire for card availability.

The Memories of Rice

Once upon a time I was able to eat and digest rice, or so I thought. New habits have been implemented now that I can no longer eat any grains. Metaphorical tears stream down my face.

I have a feeling I can paint about this topic forever.

Lisa Albinger: 100 Phoenix Creatives

Phoenix Artist Lisa Albinger: 100 Creatives

By Becky Bartkowski Mon., Jun. 2 2014 at 9:00 AM

photo credit Xomiele

Meet artist Lisa Albinger.

Phoenix is brimming with creativity. And every other year, we put the spotlight on 100 of the city's creative forces. Leading up to the release of this year's Best of Phoenix issue, we're profiling 100 more. Welcome to the 2014 edition of 100 Creatives. Up today: 82. Lisa Albinger.

Forget going international, Lisa Albinger's going intergalactic.

Well, sort of. The artist's work combines collage and painting, and you might've recently spotted it at R. Pela Contemporary Art or Mesa Contemporary Arts. But on Friday, June 6, 20 of her pieces will be presented inside Dorrance Planetarium at Arizona Science Center.

Albinger's painting Louis Bee K is a playful take on the comic.

Albinger's works will be animated and projected on the dome ceiling of the planetarium as part of the event, "Art 360." The free First Friday must-see will be presented as part of the Science Center's Adult's Night Out and also will include a few of Albinger's paintings on display.

To the moon? Not quite. But over it? Sure.

I came to Phoenix with a feeling that the desert would expose me to a deeper awareness of myself and the world. And it has.

I make art because it's how I'm able to articulate my language. If I wasn't an artist I'd probably be mute.

I'm most productive when I get out of my way, follow my intuition, and just paint whatever comes up. I'm least productive if I plan it all out.

My inspiration wall is full of magazine photos of women in elaborate attire, a postcard of Degas' The Absinthe Drinker because that image has mesmerized me since college, and a photo of Frank Lloyd Wright.

I've learned most from my dog, honestly. Every day I fail a lesson and need to start over.

Good work should always open peoples minds. Good work should teach. It should make people think and feel. And it should always come from the gut.

The Phoenix creative scene could use more professionalism and art collectors. Our modern society needs to breed humans who understand the importance of collecting original art. It has nothing to do with money. If you want something enough, you'll find a way to get it, whether it's a hamburger or a Mercedes. The internet is visually overloaded and 'liking' an image has replaced committing to purchasing an original piece. A print will never hold the power and intensity of an original. Ever. I own original work of other artists and my goodness, it excites me. I don't have my own work up in my home, but the work of other artists and that means the world to me.

Porcelain Masked Deer Video

Time lapse video taken by Brian Klein of Klein Photographics

This video represents 2 hours of painting. I can't believe I sat in one place for that long. The chocolate was within reach, but you can't see it in the video. Tricky! This is the first time I created an animal wearing a human mask instead of the other way around. A porcelain doll face came to mind. Is the animal trying to be more human like? Do we expect them to be? 

Deer Time Lapse Video

This is a very short time lapse video of me painting. I use pencil, a paintbrush and a number of cotton swabs.

I could never quite understand hunting, even though I had hunters in my family and grew up in Wisconsin. The case that hunting controls overpopulation is one I listen to however there's certainly an overpopulation of people in America, so why don't we shoot them as well? I'll leave it at that.

Information on the deer totem: http://www.spiritanimal.info/deer-spirit-animal/

Video by Brian Klein at www.kleinphotographic.com

Now Showing

Now showing at R. Pela Contemporary Art

through March 29

For private viewings and purchase contact Robrt

602.320.8445   robrtpela@aol.com      www.rpelagallery.com

Thank you to all those who made opening weekend such a success. Paintings and drawings sold and everyone loved the Louis CK series. Of course I didn't think to take photos during the evening, but here is a photo of my latest, 'Confessions of a Mechanical Man' which references the nearly 4 years I spent wearing a scoliosis back brace during my adolescence. 

This Saturday at 4:30 pm join us at the gallery for a one hour salon discussion about the current show where I will answer questions about my work. The salon will be recorded and posted on my website in the near future.

Now at Mesa Contemporary Arts

Lisa Albinger with her image Shortbread Serenade on the banner outside of Mesa Contemporary Arts.

Valentines Day will be hopping with five shows happening at the Mesa Arts Center. Do join us!

M8K Marks show at Mesa Contemporary Arts

Reception: Friday, Feb 14th 7-10pm

Show runs through April 27, 2014

Mesa Contemporary Arts

FREE and Open to the Public • Premiering Exhibitions • Romance Inspired Artwork for Sale by Mesa Arts Center Studio Artists • Artists in Attendance • Musical Entertainment by Walt Richardson • Sweet Treats and Cash Bar

365 Artists 365 Days Interview with Lisa Albinger

Frank Juarez Gallery and Greymatter Gallery have collaborated on a project bringing the public an artist every day through 2014. Today they posted an interview with me from November.

Lisa Albinger interview

Please visit them!

Greymatter Gallery

Frank Juarez Gallery

Louis Bee K.

I intended to paint a bee with a man's head and didn't expect Louis C.K. to appear. The face began to resemble him so I just went with it. Simple and subtle. No extra fluff needed. Just like Louis. 9x12 inches, oil and collage on board After some thought I've decided to expand on this peculiar theme. Look for Louis C.K. as a variety of animals in the near future.