Blog – Lisa Wagner Art

October 23, 2018October 24, 2018

Magical Workshop

.What an incredible way to spend a day! Courage, Creation & Connection Workshop brought more light, magic and gifts than I could have ever dreamed. Participants became students of their own life and gifts in a way that led many to tears and fabulous goosebumps.

Beginning Our Day

Beginning the day with a wonderful overview from Joy. She helped each of us understand the Ayurvedic rhythms of the day (Kapha, Pitta & Vata). She explained how we structured the workshop to follow what works best, energy-wise, for most. It felt like we could all relate, especially to the 2 pm “I need a nap.” That received quite a funny reaction!

We then moved in to heart-opening yoga and meditation with Candace. Wow! Did that help us find our stuck energy and areas that needed loosening up?! Heck, yeah! Joy then moved us into feeling energized and ready for the Pitta time of day (10 am to 2 pm). We were then ready to fire on all cylinders for our painting. It also prepared us for insightful times with intuitive guide, Joy.

Being Centered Moves to the Canvas

Painting from our heart space was such an incredible journey for the students. (I call them “students” because what I witnessed from each of them told that beautiful story of being in a place of learning about one’s self.) Moving the paint brush on the canvas with colors and movements that spoke to their current life circumstances was different for each. The burning off of old wounds and stories and into a place of observer really helped each of them see their voice and those that are speaking to them.

Beautiful Bodywork

It was also wonderful to see them work through tightness in their bodies with Michelle, who has such an intuitive way of understanding an individual’s energy. She finds areas that need a little extra help with opening and relaxation in order to be receptive to what the Universe has in store for them. Students walked away from her with a glowing light. So incredibly cool!

Hearing Their Truth

To also see students walk in to speak with Joy about their lives and the paths they hope to be on looking one way and coming out looking freed from what it was they didn’t need anymore; blazing a clear path to begin to follow was another bit of magic! It helped bring the workshop into an amazing full circle experience.

Upon receiving Joy’s words and coming back to the painting, it was goosebumps central how the painting spoke to what they discussed with her. I think I cried and had those bumps about 20 times!

Imparted Magic

All aspects of this day helped we, as instructors view what it was we had envisioned for this day and it was even great than that! For our students of life? Although I can’t speak for them, what I did witness was a peace and greater sense of direction and knowing. It was a magic that was powerful and palpable. We felt so honored for to not only partake in but to be a witness to.

September 25, 2018September 25, 2018

Courage, Creation & Connection Workshop-Manifesting Intention

What is My Life’s Intention?

Live Your Manifested Intention — Set Your Intention

I often ask myself and the universe, “What is my purpose?” Many times I would feel a void when asking that. Now, I feel driven to fulfill what I know I currently am meant to do; live with intention. To be a light in this world that so sorely needs it. Being mindful enough that I live from a place of love and not fear. But what does that look like? I sat with that for a long time trying to see what shape the universe would have me make that.

The Shape of My Purpose

My real ah-ha moment was when I thought, “Why is my husband so impatient? Why can’t he hear me?” Well, when I wasn’t hearing and honoring him, how could I have expected anything in return that I needed? I wasn’t serving his needs to be fully engaged with me. For my presence. For my compassion and empathy. But then I thought, “How can I give that when I have no idea how to be that for my self? When I feel shame and like I’m never enough?” Seems pretty sad when we all know deep down inside we truly are perfectly imperfect. That the universe has our back, even when we turn ours to it. That’s grace that can transcend all pain and fear. It’s what helped me to begin my journey to something I had only wished I could do and be. It’s easy to say you want to be a light but executing that in a mindful manner that is of service to others felt daunting. I began doing meditations that I found on Gabrielle Bernstein’s Facebook page Gabby Bernstein Meditations. Her Light Worker Meditation shifted everything for me. I began to see a way for my artwork and love of my mindfulness practice to merge into an experience I could share with others; to create a multifaceted workshop! Allowing in guidance and space for growth to really set free ideas and shaping what I knew would bring others that same growth.

I Dream In Color

Dreams began to come alive. Each night was a new vision that took shape within a few days. I called on those I knew could help me make this workshop a reality. Joy Dennis, my friend, life coach and amazing creative mind was the first I spoke with about how to turn this idea into a reality. My colorful dreams now had a real and defined purpose. I knew I needed intuitive painting to coincide with other mindful practices, especially self-care.

Check out my recent blog, “Happy Summer!” to read more about how my intentions have been coming into being.

Mindful Self-Care

For years, I have been practicing yoga, meditation, quiet, creative space and seeking out natural and holistic ways of caring for my health. Massage always centers me and helps me to free up to do my intuitive painting. It releases areas of tension and helps me to mindfully see how much stress I am carrying in my body (which, at times, shocked me that I was able to move at all!). Yoga, I have always found (since a back injury in 1991), can free me from my fear-based worry and bodily symptoms that inevitably accompany it. Life coaching and therapy helped guide me toward solutions that honored myself and those I loved. Ayurveda methods have also helped myself and so many others slow do, find a balance of my mind, body and spirit. So, I of course had to add that element to the day! (Here’s a great article from The Chopra Center on Ayurveda practices: https://chopra.com/articles/what-is-ayurveda

Be Your Intention — Intention Through Ayurveda

A Beautiful Combo!

A sat down with the three ladies that will be my fellow instructors, Joy Dennis, Michelle Mottshaw and Candace Piccirilli to see how we could make this a workshop of real intention. One that is based in light and love. By morning’s end, we had a winner! Each of us really enhance one another’s gifts, which in turn will do the same for our participants. Courage, Creation & Connection Workshop is a combination of intuitive painting, acrylic and mixed media techniques (me), intuitive guidance, mini life coaching, Ayurveda practices, and oracle card readings (Joy), chair massage, acupressure & reflexology (Michelle) and yoga, meditation, mindful eating & breathing practices (Candace). This workshop is power packed and gives you various ways to set that life intention!

What This Day Intends to Impart

My vision for Courage, Creation & Connection Workshop is for the participants to set an intention or seed of positive change that will be nurtured as we begin to go into our winter season. This time of year asks of us to slow down and begin to find ways that we can give ourselves a loving kindness practice of “just being.” The practices you will begin to hone on that day will allow you to become a light. Be who you are meant to be. We will grow this practice each season and watch one another go forth a model for others how to live from a place of love. I can’t wait to see not only this workshop grow and serve others but to watch our participants develop their lives into ones that fully honor their spirit and bring forth change in the world that brings light and love to the forefront. What is your daily intention for your life? You can help find that through this workshop. We wish that for you! Begin your beautiful transformation. Register Today for Our CCC Workshop!

Our Workshop Schedule:

Sunday, October 21st (Lisa’s studio; 25o N. Goodman Street, Studio 212, Rochester, NY 14607)
8-8:30am Sign In Begins
8:30am Introductions & Workshop Overview
8:45-9:30am Yoga & Meditation
9:30-11:45am Painting
12-12:30pm Lunch
12:30-1pm Walking Meditation
1-2pm Painting*
2:40-3pm Closing Meditation

Seed of Intention — Plant the Seed of Your Own Intention

August 7, 2018

Watercolors Galore at the ANEAW Show-Amazing!

Happy August! What a wonderful start it’s been with watercolors (and my 30th wedding anniversary!). This past Friday was the opening for the ANEAW (Adirondack National Exhibition of American Watercolors) show in the quaint Adirondack town of Old Forge, NY.As I stood in that beautiful space at The View Art Center filled with glorious watercolors, my heart was overcome with nerves, joy and this feeling of incredulous wonder that my painting, Red Right Returning was accepted into. How did I manage to hang with these watercolor icons? I’m talking NWS, TWSA , AWS and two of their Dolphin Founders; superstars at watercolors and their paintings that leave no doubt why their pieces and talent garner such recognition. (See pics below of just a few of them. You’ll be booking a trip to the Adirondacks!) It was strangely humbling. Impostor syndrome quickly tried to ruin this moment, undermining any confidence I walked in with. Luckily, my support team (my husband, kids, my son’s girlfriend, my best friend and her daughter) were there. Their joy for me and pride in my accomplishment brought me back so that I could fully embrace the moment. Although, I will have to go back and see the show again because I wasn’t able to allow my mind to take it all in. The show was just that good!

Upon returning home, I had a million things swirling in my head. I’ve been struggling with my current painting (another dose of self doubt…yippee) and questioning do I still like watercolor ? Is that my jam or are acrylics? Maybe collage? Teaching? Workshops? Silly brain! I luckily was able to step back and find neutral space to just be the observer. Deep breaths!

Today, my heart and mind feel settled and newly reinvigorated. I want to be just as good a watercolor artist, if not better than the artists’ works that hung there. If I never quite reach that pinnacle, I look forward to the new learning moments, enhanced skills and hopefully, more show acceptances. There’s always so much more to learn and improve on in this life. Our paths are fraught with doubts, tears, frustration and sweet rewards. Those rewards make the struggle worthwhile and grow our resolve and our spirit. And that, my friends, is where the beauty lies. We are strong. We are capable. We are loved. We are meant for greatness. Don’t ever shy away from it. You’re worth the blood, sweat and tears.

Have a beautiful rest of your summer, enjoying the sun, burning off the doubt and fear and proceed with confidence. We need your light!

Gorgeous!

June 26, 2018June 26, 2018

Welcome to Summer!!!

My peony underpainting that is a current work in progress!

Summer, for me is a time of recharging my batteries and also stoking my creativity. Maybe it’s the soaking up of that Vitamin D or just getting to see nature explode with sounds, colors, wildlife, joy and communion with one another. No matter what the secret sauce of summer is, it always gets my creative mind whirling about how I’d like to see my life take shape throughout the rest of the year and how it will look one year from now. How do want to be living my life in a higher space? What can I do to be of service to others that fits my given path? How should my work and my everyday life reflect that?

It’s always a lot of contemplation and then meditating on and exploring the best ways to do this while still being in a position of letting go. To surrender it to the universe and know that all the answers to life’s burning questions lie there.

Currently, I am really exploring how to make my work and my upcoming fall workshop something that nourishes all our souls and calms our minds. My current painting of the Thousand Island Park pavilion that will hang at Bella’s in Clayton, NY next year (so exciting that I was invited to be a part of their beautiful space!), is a juxtaposition of control and looseness. It’s a fun challenge and it seems to be working out in a way that surprises me but actually gets me electrified as I work, or even as I step back and see how my choices are panning out.

I am also exploring how best to incorporate intuition into the workshop in October and how to insure that the idea is one that has room for beautiful growth. By that, it feels like I not only mean the workshop itself, but also for those of us teaching it and those of you who attend. When I am breathing into what it looks like, I come away feeling as though, at day’s end, we will all walk away more centered and have a feeling of growing self-love and compassion. That abundant feeling is really amazing.

Watch some of my @lisawagnerart IG stories that I have saved so that you can get an idea of what the workshop will be for all of you and hopefully you’ll want to dive into feeling a sense of well-being through a creative, mindful way of being. Also be sure to subscribe to our newsletter so that you can check out the early bird special! Having it run during the fall, we like to think of it as a means of planting seeds that we can nurture throughout the winter nesting months to enable it to grow into a well-nourished and loved energy for you to share with the world. Doesn’t that sound beautiful? We also plan to have seasonal follow-up workshops to enhance your continued journey.

Great summer plan! If you happen to be in the NNY, Adirondack area this August, be sure to stop by The View Art Center for the #ANEAW show in Old Forge. My piece, Red Right Returning was chosen as one of the accepted pieces. Still over the moon about that. I have my fingers crossed but a neutral expectation about receiving an award. (It never hurts to have a little recognition for a work you’re so still in awe that you yourself actually produced something someone else likes, too! That always gets me extra motivated to continue on on hard, non-creative days.) 🙂 I will definitely keep you posted, though. The show opening is August 3rd and runs through September 30th. It’s always beautifully curated.

Enjoy your long summer days and warm nights (ahhhhh) and be sure to take lots of time for some self-love and creativity. It makes your summer a memory you can hold onto with such joy and fondness!
Be love and be kind! Xoxo

June 5, 2018

Happy June!

Feeling summer in the air brings a welcome relief of upcoming days in the sun with friends and family, soaking in the lush colors, bustling sounds and warm air. It’s a time to recharge your soul and live brightly. To try dipping your toe into that mysterious water you might otherwise avoid.

Acrylic Painting

How about trying your hand at creativity? It opens your heart and your right brain, bringing balance into an often hectic life. So many times, those of us who are creatives, hear others say, “I don’t have a creative bone in my body!’

This simply isn’t true. We all live creatively, even if just a little, each day. Remember the last time you had to think up a new strategy at work, or pick out a pretty outfit for a special day? Do your makeup so that you looked that much more beautiful? Finding a way to organize that darned plastic container cupboard? Yup. They’re all creative activities and we all do them. But if we learn to hone that skill and use it to balance that crazy left brain monkey mind, the more at peace we can all feel. It brings a sense of order and quiet space we all crave. Now doesn’t that sound like a small slice of heaven?

If so, why not sign up for an art class? I offer several kinds. Bring a friend or your kids with you to learn and create together. This is one of those few things that there is no age limit to. Imagine trying to dunk a basketball when you’re 60. Now try to imagine sitting anywhere, at any age and feeling peaceful and blissed out while making something that comes from your heart. A lot easier to picture, right? (Not that there isn’t some miracle person that can dunk with ease at 60+.)

Take the leap and click on my “Classes” page and get yourself a slice of joy that lasts a lifetime and actually improves with age! Yayyy for that! You can also keep an eye out for our upcoming workshop (it’s being held Sunday, October 21st-mark your calendar!). We’re calling it “Courage, Creating and Connection.” There will be four instructors leading you through a day of yoga, meditation, massage, intuitive creative guidance and loads of art. Sounds fab, right?! I’m over the moon excited! Hope to see you there! Meanwhile, get comfortable being creatively uncomfortable in my judgement-free zone at my art studio. We’ll have a blast! Lisawagnerart.com/art-classes/

Happy Creating and I can’t wait to see you and what you find courage to do! 🙂

Lisa

April 30, 2018June 5, 2018

Happy Spring!

#Happy Spring!

I thought that seen as nature decided to start blooming finally (sooo slow in WNY), that it was time for me to do the same. My first act of coming alive was to find out that my painting, Red Right Returning, was accepted into the Adirondack National Exhibition of American Watercolor show (ANEAW) in Old Forge, NY. This is my first painting since returning to the art scene in twelve years! I have been in their show twice before (2004 & 2006), so it’s been awhile since I’ve felt like a “real artist.” (Who decides that anyway??) The show opens August 3rd and runs through September 30th. The works in this show are always breathtaking, humbling, completely inspiring and have, at times, made me cry right in the middle of the show. It’s THAT good!! https://www.viewarts.org/exhibitions/upcoming-exhibitions/2018-adirondacks-national-exhibition-of-american-watercolors/
My next bit of aliveness came as an inspiration to integrate things I love with my art. I decided to design a workshop with three amazing women who I love a respect. It will be a day-long endeavor with room to grow into a weekend-long and hopefully, even a week-long workshop someday in the not so distant future. These women are so talented and centered. I just adore them! I have it slated for October and can’t wait to share the full Monty with all of you soon (have to work it out to total fruition first but it’s totally going to be worth the wait!). We are hoping, that with our combined talents and knowledge, we can create an atmosphere of peace, harmony and growth that can be used in everyday life and to combat environmental stresses. Couldn’t we all use a lot more of that!?
And since the sun seems to be in full warming up my mind mode, I thought, “Why not open an Etsy store to sell my doodles on useful objects?” That’s today’s task. I will let you all know when that is up and running (fingers crossed it’s done by mid-May). It’s a great way to make my work available to folks of all budgets and make for thoughtful gifts for those you love, including your wonderful self! 🙂 I would also like a percentage of the profits to help kids who want to become an artist themselves, realize their dreams. Another bit of joy to add to the world. https://www.etsy.com/shop/LisaWagnerArt
Currently, we have just added a page to the website that allows you to shop for whatever of my goods you’re interested in from the comfort of your home (or when you’re bored at work), although I’d love to see your cute selves at my studio. We are adding new things all the time now that I have my pretty workspace! https://lisa-wagner-art.myshopify.com/ While you’re there, be sure to subscribe to my email list so that you can be the first to see what’s new for classes and workshops or even for the latest painting. There will be sweet deals in there for those who subscribe (see why it’s awesome?!).
Don’t forget that this Friday is a First Friday (yayyyy!!) and we are all dying to have you swing by Anderson Alley and check out all the fab things we have going on (when I walk around here and talk to my building mates and artist friends, I get soooo inspired!). You’ll want to make it a regular First Friday, slated on your calendar in stone, kind of thing. Plus, there’s tons of great food and entertainment in the NOTA area.
Here’s a peek at a piece I finished this morning titled, “My Little Pretties.” I’m having so much fun with these table scapes! I have Lynn Whipple to thank for that. 🙂 If you don’t know her, you should totally check her out.

Happy Spring!!

April 10, 2018April 20, 2018

#Welcome to #LisaWagnerArt!

I’m so thrilled to have you here. I thought I’d begin with the “How” of my becoming an artist and that squiggly little path would be a great way to introduce myself to you, the viewer.

I loved art as a kid. I would grab anything I could get my hands on. I never really got serious about my abilities until one day, at the age of 12, I drew a picture of this sweet dog that I saw in my book I had been reading. It turned out just like the illustration. I was quite pleased with myself and HAD to now draw everything in sight ever single free moment of every day!

Unfortunately, life took over a bit. School was difficult for me (math and English were where I excelled but don’t ask me a thing about Chemistry). There were so many amazing artists in my art class in high school that I didn’t think I could be THAT and neither did my teacher. It made me put away my art supplies for a long time and I decided to make my college major accounting. Not surprisingly, I hated it.

I got married shortly after college to my high school sweetheart, Paul. We began having kids the following year. Our oldest, Jackie, loved art. The projects we would do together were so fun, we would get lost in the day. It still makes me smile!

Our son, Adam was born five years after his sister and that was when I knew I needed art more fully in my life. I decided to take a watercolor class through our local continuing education program in our town. My instructor, Judy Soprano (aka my second mother), knew how to find something beautiful in even the worst work. It was so inspirational. I felt like I had finally found who I was and where I should be pointed. I took several more classes from her and a few other local artists (all amazing in their own rights), joined local art groups and even tried to get into national shows (I’ll save that fun story for the next blog). I even got to teach Judy’s class when she retired.

I again found myself having to put this passion aside, however, when the bookkeeper at my husband’s business left. I wanted to help him however I could and was there until just this last December. I was about an 10 year run. Paul, being the supportive and encouraging partner that he always is, told me it was time for me to find someone to do my job and get myself a studio space so that I could finally be fulfilling my lifelong dream-being a full-time artist! I was over the moon. I found a great bookkeeper and landed a studio in the building I had been wishing I could be in for thirty years (Anderson Alley). I still have to pinch myself!

My first love will always be watercolor. Collage and acrylics are what I love to turn to when I feel like I’m a bit stuck. They can be so easily manipulated and forgiving. It’s a great way to experiment with ideas that are rolling around in your head for that next big piece.

My goals are to push my limits not only in my work but with teaching and workshops. How can this serve the greater good? How can I follow my path and honor myself and others? This has my brain working overtime with wonderful ideas (stay tuned!!). I look forward to sharing them with all of you and having you become a part of that beautiful ripple.