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.