Lisa Levenson — artist biography and statement

Much of my work explores the relationship between the natural world and our inner emotional landscapes. Nature is often my starting point—a color, shape, texture, or fleeting impression that gradually evolves into something more personal. Through abstract and semi-abstract painting, I explore the feelings and memories that lie beyond what we see.

Working intuitively with a variety of media, I often begin with a textured ground or vibrant underpainting, building depth through layers of color, transparent washes, drawing, and mark-making. Each layer informs the next, sometimes revealing unexpected relationships, sometimes concealing what came before. I enjoy this ongoing conversation with the painting, allowing it to evolve through discovery rather than following a predetermined outcome.

Alongside these inner landscapes, I embrace moments of playful exploration, responding freely to collage, organic shapes, and spontaneous compositions. These playful musings offer a balance to my more contemplative work. In my black-and-white work, these explorations take on a different voice, where contrast, texture, form, and composition become the primary means of expression.

Ultimately, I'm less interested in what a painting depicts than in how it feels. I hope my work invites viewers to look beyond the recognizable and discover their own emotions, memories, and connections within it.

I remember the moment I knew I wanted to be an artist. I was eleven when, during a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, I discovered Henri Rousseau's The Repast of the Lion. Captivated by his bold colors and lush jungle foliage, I went home, grabbed my oil pastels, and created my own “Rousseau.” I haven't stopped creating since.

Born in Paris and raised in Greenwich Village, NYC, I grew up surrounded by art and artists. Our apartment was directly across from Peter Max's studio, and I remember watching him paint through the window—a lasting impression that helped shape my desire to become an artist. I went on to major in Fine Art at Connecticut College, studying under Barkley Hendricks, whose guidance stays with me to this day.

Driven by curiosity and a desire to continually grow, I explored illustration and graphic design before earning a second degree in Interior Design from the Art Institute of Portland and building a successful career in the field. Throughout it all, I continued painting, studying, and challenging myself creatively. Each experience added another layer to my artistic perspective.

Today, I'm living my best life as a full-time artist working from my studio in Portland, Oregon. My work has evolved since that first encounter with Rousseau, but my fascination with nature, color, and the expressive possibilities of art remains much the same. And the joy of discovering what comes next has never left me.