O-A: What is art to you? Is creating an urge, necessity or maybe an incontournable, essential way of life?
Lisa Carney: Art is something that came naturally to me. I would doodle all the time at school and would draw and sing when I was home. Making a painting makes me feel content and to me, that’s an addictive feeling!
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O-A: How do you search for inspiration and themes for your work?
Lisa Carney: My inspiration comes from the scenic landscapes of the Gaspe Coast where I grew up. My work is largely influenced by things like: the plant roots showing through the red cliffs, wildflower fields and seaweed washed up on the beach.
I paint by intuition and let random color choices determine the tone of the work. But even if I do work spontaneously, as if in a trance, I always end-up creating imaginary landscapes. The techniques I use with acrylic paint form the organic shapes and textures of flowers and roots with a calming horizon beneath a minimalist sky.
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O-A: Who or what inspired you artistically; a person, artist, event, experience…
Lisa Carney: I was lucky to grow up in a musical and artistic family. I was surrounded by artists, musicians, woodworkers and artisans. My grandfather, a carpenter and boat builder, my father a singer/musician also very good at carpentry and woodworking, my mother, a singer/musician and talented seamstress. All of which have contributed in some way, to the creative person I am today. Famous artists that I find inspiration in their work are: Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock, Gerhard Richter, Paul-Émile Borduas and Cy Twombly.
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O-A: How has your art changed over time? Why?
Lisa Carney: I first started by doing collages. I would incorporate found papers and driftwood in my paintings, then I went through a minimalist phase, focusing on soil horizons. I still love both styles but for now, I am in love with dripping paint. Trying different techniques and mediums has allowed me to discover that I like to work spontaneously with acrylics. And this is how I’ve been working for the last several years.
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O-A: What names do you give your artworks?
Lisa Carney: The names I give my artwork depends on the series or theme. I try to find a title that describes the work vaguely like for example: Spring Blooms for a floral landscape painting, Amber Kiss, for a minimalist abstract painting or Blue Burst for a painting from the Petal Burst series.
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