Drawings

A few recent drawings - more can be found on my Instagram and Facebook pages.

Pen Drawings

Pen drawings, 4" x 6", December 2016

Just sitting down with some pens to see what happens. I love stripes and checkered patterns, stars, deer, and birds. Lately I love red and white stripes and blue (nothing politically inspired, I assure you). I think more of the circus, of shabby chic, of the marriage of patterns, like a human body with the marriage of organs - all working together, feeding off of each other to thrive.

 www.lisaalbinger.com

Time and Again

                               

Time and Again

Oil on wooden nutcracker

19"h  x  4"w

I have an affinity for nutcrackers, every holiday season adding more to my growing collection. Year round they are displayed as I see them more as a Wise Council than merely holiday decorations. Last year I came across white nutcrackers and am now in the process of turning them into works of art.

I'm not sure if I'll be able to part with them.

The first one, Time and Again, will be on display at MOWA, the Museum of Wisconsin Art in West Bend, WI from Nov 19, 2016 - Jan 8, 2017.

Time and Again is about movement and the crossing of thresholds. The window acts as a threshold between the inside and outside worlds. Tools guide us to a different destination - the compass points us while the ladder supports us as we journey upwards or downwards.

Boxing Day

Boxes hold our belongings when we move across the country, food we purchase at the grocery store, and gifts we give one another. The idea of a box holding personal secrets, wishes and dreams is often called a God Box. It is a vessel that takes your worries and hands them off to 'all that is', perhaps the great Oz himself.

My tools included pen, cotton swabs, coffee and a 6.5"x 8"x 3" box. The images are mystical animals pursuing magic, weaving their webs of life. They are intuition, the all knowing, the all seeing, all that is. They reside in silence, in less words and more observation, in solitude and introspection.

This box now resides in Brooklyn. A gift. There will be more, in time.

Lid Top

Lid Inside

Box Inside

Side 1 with lid

Side 1 without lid

Side 2 with lid

Side 2 without lid

Side 3 with lid

Side 3 without lid

Side 4 with lid

Side 4 without lid

Please Pass the Coffee

My work has always been very intuitive and it is rare for me to sketch out ideas. I prefer to sit down at the easel and bring out whatever image is already 'there' in the board. Maddening, yes. I like the challenge of creating something meaningful out of happenstance. Isn't that what life is all about? When I drip coffee onto paper and move it around, I haven't the faintest clue what will appear. There's a bit of anxiety in it all. There's a bit of expectation. What if I draw a line that goes nowhere and I regret it? Make it happen. Figure it out. Turn it into something else.

Such is the story for these creatures below. Each one represents a facet of my creaturehood. Each one appeared when I followed the pen. I have been posting drawings daily on my Instagram. Follow to see each one. Lisa Albinger on Instagram

Lisa Albinger, 2016

Lisa Albinger, 2016

Lisa Albinger, 2016

Lisa Albinger, 2016

What a Hoot! show in Oregon

Azure Fine Arts Gallery in Corvallis, OR asked me to produce 100 drawings for an exhibit.

I gasped. 100. I cut 100 pieces of paper. No mistakes allowed. Coffee was poured on each

piece of paper and from there the characters appeared.

They grouped themselves into categories: The Men, Owls, Flower Children, Birds, Rabbits, and Misc. People

Now showing, March 15-April 12, 2015

Opening is Thursday, March 19, 4-8pm

Azure Fine Art Gallery

341 SW Second Street, Ste #3

Corvallis, OR 97333

zurefineartgallery@yahoo.com

Email Deb with questions and to purchase work.

Each work is about 5"x7".

Connecting the Dots

The espresso was made, waiting patiently as I picked out that perfect piece of chocolate from the gifted box of chocolates. I would sit down with my delicacy to ponder the direction of my art, obtain a grand artistic idea, and drink the espresso while it was hot.

But the phone rang.

I quickly chose a piece of chocolate and scurried to the phone in time for the fourth ring.

“Oh shit!” I exclaimed as I saw the name of my dear friend of 20 years. An artist. I knew why she was calling and I had to fess up. I answered with, “I didn’t do it, I didn’t do anything, I failed.”

A week ago we agreed to hold each other accountable of making art every day. By today I was to have 7 drawings completed, alas there were none. Now, the assignment for this following week is to create a self-portrait every day. Size and medium doesn’t matter. I know as the days progress my self-portraits will morph into animals and the like, however today I started out with a pretty standard drawing including polka dots which I adore.

Looking at my face in the mirror and drawing it brought back memories. I remembered back to when a band member of Poison gasped, “You have a beautiful widows peak” which is something I had never heard or thought of before. Being a big fan of Marilyn Monroe as a teenager I always wanted a mole above my lip and now as an adult I’ve somehow acquired one in that same spot, however with less enthusiasm than a 15 year old. And to my surprise, my lower lip has an indentation I’ve never noticed before.

Your body tells so many stories. Look at yourself in the mirror and read some of them. Remember the stories of your past as they make up the you you are now. What is your body telling you? What information and messages does it have for you?

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