Meet Lisa Alonzo

We recently connected with Lisa Alonzo and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, thank you so much for making time for us today. Let’s jump right into a question so many in our community are looking for answers to – how to overcome creativity blocks, writer’s block, etc. We’d love to hear your thoughts or any advice you might have.

At different points in my career I have certainly felt adrift; not particularly excited about a project, filled with doubt about my taste level, knowing what’s good, etc. The important thing to remember during times like this is that it is only temporary. I always say “Everything is always changing, good or bad, so don’t get used to it”.
When I’m in a creative slump I will turn to looking at art history- Pop art is always very inspiring to me. Or I look to books and movies for inspiration. I write down ALOT of ideas in my notebook, most of which never amount to anything. I also open myself up to using new materials or tools that I am not comfortable or familiar with. While oftentimes trying out new materials (ie: trying and failing!) can feel like a waste of time and money, I have always found that it clarifies new ideas and allows me to approach my artwork from a different angle. Learning new techniques to utilize in my painting always makes my creativity burst to the surface.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am an artist who is very preoccupied with Truth. What is real? These days it feels impossible to know. I use my work as an exploration of my relationship with reality. I make paintings using tools normally reserved for decorating cakes. As a child I was enamored by frosting. On birthdays, I wanted that corner piece of cake and had dreams of becoming either a librarian or a cake decorator.

I enjoy using my unique painting technique to create tension. The painting might look like a sugary wonderland, but it is indeed made of paint. My work explores a myriad of unsavory themes and makes them more palatable by rendering them as heavily frosted confections. I am currently working on a series of still life paintings. These are meant to be especially indulgent- rich in symbolism, texture, patterns and saturated color. By piping acrylic gel medium onto the surface with pastry bags and tips, I create an enticing visual and tactile experience for the viewer. The end result is a painting that looks deceptively good enough to eat: an abundance of peaks, starbursts, flowers, pointillistic and rhythmic dots, and ribbons of graduated color draped over decadent mounds of paint masquerading as frosting.

I am currently working on a series of still life paintings called Stragems. I am also featured in the latest issue of New American Paintings (Issue 170).

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The journey is ongoing, there is no arriving! The three qualities that have been and continue to be the most important to me are Perseverance, Curiosity and The Ability to Deal with Rejection. In a nutshell, they could be boiled down to the first: Perseverance.
The ability to keep going is the most important part of being an artist. In my career there have been highs and lows. I have made great work and I have made work that is embarrassingly bad. The path is not linear. So if you go in expecting that, it will be easier to ride the waves. The only true failure is in stopping. And I don’t mean breaks. I’ve taken breaks. When each of my children were born I took some time off. My brain was not very art oriented at that time was better suited to tend to my family. But I didn’t stop being an artist during those times. Learn the difference.

Be curious. What happens if I do this? What happens if I use this instead? Try things out, look for new mental framing, and don’t be afraid to fail. Look at old masterpieces in books and museums. Stay off social media for a while. That kind of curiosity can be toxic.

Get a thick skin. I never imagined I would endure so much rejection as an artist. The awesome thing about that is after a while, it just rolls off your back. I always have multiple opportunities in the pipeline so when something doesn’t work out I move on immediately to the next opportunity. Remember that nothing is personal, and circle back to the first quality on my list- Perseverance.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

This reminds me of the saying: Jack of all trades, master of none. I suppose it is actually better to be well rounded. In the realm of art, the artist needs to be able to make solid work, yes. Reaching a level of mastery is definitely a commendable goal. But additionally, you need to be able to write about your work, promote it, speak about it, etc. I often lament that my art school taught me nothing about the business side of being an artist. How to manage, taxes, having a collector database, pricing, etc. We all love the fantasy of the hermetic artist that makes brilliant work but stinks at everything else, and yet they somehow find wild success, but it’s simply not true. Take the time to acquire the boring but useful skills!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.lisaalonzo.net
• Instagram: @lisaalonzo1984

Image Credits

Head shot by Heather Seymour