Sometimes we need to take a look back…

to understand some creative processes.  This was the very first bird carving/painting I ever did.  I was attempting to create an original show for my friends, Alison & Andrew at Mirabelles Cafe in Burlington, Vermont.  Someone had cancelled their show that month and they needed artwork fast.  Oh, how I love the challenge of a deadline.  I prefer to show new work so I created this show in about 48 hours.  I went out to the dumpster behind my studio in 2008 and I found some old pallets. I carved the birds on this pallet using a screwdriver because I’d never done this kind of work before and I didn’t have any tools. I created six new pieces and hung the show. It was the beginning of an entirely new process for me.

If you’re ever in Burlington, Vermont—I highly recommend Mirabelles for breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea and pastry.  Please tell them Lisa sent you.

http://www.mirabellescafe.com/

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2008 pallet carving/painting

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2012 piece titled, “Community” carved & painted on a counter top piece from a renovation site in a friend’s neighborhood.

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Big projects, a few hours before guests arrive? Sure.

I think you know by now that I’m a big fan of projects.  I think it’s a perfectly good idea to sand and coat my outside tables a few hours before 35 people show up at my house for a 4th of July bash.  My husband, Jeff thought it was a little kooky, but he understands and he’ll love how they turned out.

Here are some before and after photos of our outside tables.  What a difference a little sanding and sealing does, huh?  My favorite product and again (this not a paid endorsement).  However, if VERMONT NATURAL COATINGS happens to see this post and would like to send a few gallons my way, I wouldn’t be angry.  So many things need to be sanded and sealed.  Now the water will just bead off of these surfaces and they aren’t splintery to the touch.  I better start slicing the watermelons and icing the beer and sodas down before the crowd arrives.

Happy 4th of July folks!

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http://www.vermontnaturalcoatings.com/

From their website:

VERMONT NATURAL COATING’S PolyWhey natural finishes are tough – scratch, chemical, and water resistant – dry quickly, and do not yellow.”