We were lucky to catch up with Emily Lisker recently and have shared our conversation below.
Emily, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I would almost say that my purpose found me. I have been drawing and painting and writing and reading from a young age. I have discovered that it is through my body that I keep my creative life alive. I see my body as an antenna that has to be kept alert and awake to pick up the signals. I would even say that my strength, courage, and independence are located behind my belly button. To be creative I have to be physically tuned up, so I can tune in artistically, like a dancer or professional athlete. I see maintaining my health as an important part of my work. We breathe in and we breathe out– both are necessary.
I see my life history as a folktale. I was a sensitive, imaginative child, and the witch was coming after my strength. I was lucky that my grandparents, schoolteachers, and the many creative people I have met along the way have all helped me.
The ways I have discovered to be safe and healthy:
Swimming, cooking and baking healthy food, walking my dog everywhere, listening to people’s stories, reading, keeping a journal, swimming laps.
All these activities are a huge part of supporting my mental and physical artistic climate.
I feel compelled by habit and the desire to communicate artistically. But I’m an introvert, so it’s important for me to avoid or remove anything that doesn’t support my need to work and create in solitude.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
One of my written pieces was included in a collection published last year (Simon and Schuster) called “A Path to the World,” edited by Lori Carlson-Hijuelos.
The poet Nin Andrews wrote a series of poems based on my paintings. It was published in a collaboration called “The Circus of Lost Dreams”.
I’ve had a long career as an illustrator for newspapers and magazines, and later for children’s books.
Now I am mostly writing.
After doing some design and illustration work for a local dairy delivery company (Munroe Dairy), I formed a small marching band that performs with the dairy in various local parades. We just celebrated our 20th year!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The three qualities: Persistence – habit is the muse
Vision – eye on the prize
Health – physical, mental, and social
I feel compelled to persist despite a steep mood cycle and having had a terrible mother.
I am ultimately a fighter and have an independent spirit.
I read a lot and am always reaching out to other writers and artists. I love sharing my art because it gives others permission to follow and practice their art.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
They encouraged me to make art. They gave me a private space for art-making – a room in the cellar for a studio. My step-father introduced me to other artists, and encouraged them to look at and comment on my paintings.
Meeting professional artists at an early age made me aware that artists love to meet and speak with other artists.
It also made me aware that it was possible to become an artist professionally.
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