Known as The Abstract Blonde, former fashion buyer and visual display artist Lisa Woods turned a hobby into a full-time career …
I have always been deeply passionate about fashion. My previous experience allowed me to work with colours, patterns and textures, giving me the creative freedom to experiment and express myself.
Art has given me the confidence to really “let go” and be as creative as I want.
It all began when friends, inspired by the pieces I created for my own home, started requesting custom works of their own. Now I’m lucky enough to also teach abstract art classes, guiding people to release daily stress and tap into their creative flow.
I’m fortunate to work from home, specifically from my garden. In fact, my studio is just a few steps from my back door! My work is all about the freedom to explore colours and textures, experimenting with different techniques using a variety of brushes and tools.
It’s a process of trusting my intuition and allowing instinct to guide me.
When I start a new piece, I don’t sketch it out beforehand. I might have a colour scheme in mind or be inspired by something I’ve seen in nature, but beyond that I let the process unfold naturally. I keep layering and experimenting until everything comes together and feels right.
When creating commissioned pieces based on my previous work, I take the client’s preferences into account such as size and colour palette, keeping in mind where it will ‘live’ once completed, while still allowing room for creative expression.
I love what I do for so many reasons. First and foremost, it’s a true passion, so it never feels like work to me. I’m incredibly grateful for the flexibility to work from home and set my own hours, but above all having the opportunity to create every day is essential for me. It fuels my creativity and keeps me inspired, it’s what makes me tick! I guess you could say my art is an extension of me.
My new exhibition is called “Serendipity”. I chose this title because I feel that the paintings bring the audience on a journey into a world of spontaneity, emotion and elemental energy. I believe my paintings reflect a balance between serenity and chaos. What the viewer perceives ultimately depends on their own personal experiences at that moment, shaping how they connect with the artwork.
The common thread is freedom of expression, and movement with no restrictions or limitations.
Need to know: Lisa’s exhibition is on at Dún Laoghaire Institute of Visual Arts, Co Dublin; www.divadunlaoghaire.com.
Follow @theabstractblonde on Instagram and visit www.theabstractblonde.com for more of her works.
