We were lucky to catch up with Lisa Zinna recently and have shared our conversation below.
Lisa, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
They often say that creativity is a skill that can be cultivated rather than an innate talent. Intrigued by this concept, I delved into it by taking online courses, even before they became widespread, and avidly reading books to observe how individuals from various fields infuse innovation into their work. I found inspiration in clever song lyrics, non-photographic artworks, novels, movies, and comedians, pondering how their thought processes might influence my own art.
Through books like “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert, “Steal Like an Artist” by Austin Kleon, and “The Creative Act” by Rick Rubin, I discovered the importance of consistent practice, as it seems to be the key to unlocking the flow of creative ideas.
As a way to unwind, I enjoy engaging in imaginative thinking, contemplating what could form the foundation of an inspiring art piece. However, it is only when I sit in my studio and put my “supposedly brilliant” ideas into action that I discover their potential…or lack thereof. Remarkably, about 95% of the time, they do NOT live up to my expectations, but further experimentation leads me to even better outcomes than my original notions.
The element of surprise in the creative process is undoubtedly what excites me the most about exploring and refining my craft.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
For eight years, I’ve been immersed in the world of “color crazy photo art,” having officially embraced this passion. Photography had been my primary hobby for many years, but it was when I discovered digital editing that my creative enthusiasm really soared, and I knew I had found my happy place. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about achieving just the right colors and ambiance in an image, almost as if I enter a state of pure creative flow.
In my pursuit of photographic art, I not only focus on capturing captivating moments, but also explore various methods of presenting and enhancing the prints. One avenue that intrigued me was experimenting with acrylic resin as a coating, which added a brilliant and glossy finish to the photographs. However, my exploration didn’t end there. I found joy in sanding the resin to achieve a more subdued, matte effect, and I also enjoyed incorporating both shiny and matte elements to create intriguing designs that play with light and texture.
Nature and architecture have become my favored subjects, and while I appreciate the beauty of natural colors, I often venture into using non-traditional, yet aesthetically pleasing, hues. The world of abstraction has also captured my heart. I wandered into crafting paper collages, capturing them through photography, and merging them into composite images that exude depth and uniqueness. The process is a continuous dance of creativity and can keep me engrossed for hours on end.
Ultimately, this artistic journey has become a source of immense joy and fulfillment in my life, allowing me to express myself creatively and discover new realms of visual artistry.
This year is proving to be a special one regarding showing art. In November and December, my collaborative partner, Sylvia Troconis, and I will be showcasing our 3D photographic series “Familiarity of Place”, along with our individual art at the Georgetown Art Center. We also exhibit at Art for the People Gallery and Artisans Connect in Georgetown, TX.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
NEVER STOP LEARNING; Embrace your curiosity because it sparks innovation and creativity within you. There’s always more to discover, understand, and master. In the art business, you’ll have to learn things you may not have wanted to, like spreadsheets and taxes, ratios, creative writing, and marketing, for goodness sake! Welcome it, and be proud that you not only are an artist, but also a savvy business person as well.
VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME: I’ve been enjoying being a committee chair and curator with Round Rock Arts, a nonprofit arts organization where I can serve as a mentor for aspiring artists. There is a lot of satisfaction in being able to give back some of the knowledge I’ve gained through the years. I also take pleasure in promoting the work of other artists.
NETWORK: Recognize the power of networking and creating connections in your field. I met my collaborative partner, Sylvia, at an art show and it was a few years later that we reconnected to begin our project. You never know how each connection will play out in the future.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When a project, activity, or deadline starts feeling overwhelming, I find it helpful to question the thoughts running through my mind. If I’m able to have the presence of mind to become aware of what I’m thinking about, I ask myself “Is this true?” Nine times out of ten, the answer is “No”.
If we don’t take the time to question what our mind is saying, we go on believing that “I’m never going to finish this!”, “I can’t figure this out!”, “I’ve never been good at xxxx!” Usually these thoughts are lies or stories we’ve been telling ourselves forever.
Avoid falling into the trap of deceitful thoughts. Show yourself the proof that you’ve conquered complex challenges before. Recall moments when you faced difficult tasks and succeeded. You can even browse through your Instagram feed to remind yourself of past accomplishments, proving that you can overcome those self-doubts you’re experiencing now.
Contact Info:
- Website: lisazinna.com
- Instagram: @lisa.zinna
