Lisa Thomson Wells

As a visual artist, I began with a passion for drawing faces. I was obsessed with the details of everyone’s face—noses, eyes, chins. I used to make my kids their favorite snack and get them to sit still for 5 minutes while I sketched their portraits. It drove them mad.

I drew portraits in graphite, charcoal and simple pencil and have quite a collection of relatives, friends, and pets in my old sketch books that I still cherish.

My art journey continued when I enrolled in classes at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Extension, Fine Arts Certificate program. During these years, I had the pleasure of learning from some of the best art professors in Western Canada.

Despite beginning my art journey in all grey scales and lines, it’s color I’m passionate about. I’ve always been drawn to bold color in both art and interiors. In the last few years, I’ve been learning to experiment—let loose.

Exploring texture and color together is my focus currently. Using a palette knife instead of a paint brush, for example, in “blooming Free” and “Purple Rain”. Embracing abstract style has allowed me to enjoy the creative process in a different way.

Like life itself, being an artist is about ‘becoming’. It’s a process of learning, experimenting, failing, letting go and gaining control. It’s a balance of all of these variables—but mostly it’s finding the joy in it. “Cherish your own emotions and never undervalue them.” Robert Henri The Art Spirit