Invoking the nostalgia of childhood within art

Using art as her voice, Lisa Grennell has a spectacular knack for storytelling using simple imagery and immense personal insight. Lisa’s art evokes emotions from its viewers, within each singular piece of work, creating a connection, describing a sense of hope, innocence, joy, purity, playfulness, and loss in its varying forms. Forming a narration, Lisa says her creativity has long been both an escape and a release. “Art was the only subject at school that I had passion for, that I enjoyed. I say to people it is a bit like picking up a book - that’s the escape drawing gave me. I drew and painted all through parenthood, so with each child, I was always sketching them while they were having their naps. I was in my element.”

Specialising in silk screen printing and painting on perspex, Lisa says learning the art of screen printing really was a eureka moment. “I could push my drawings further. I could really explore adding hand-painted elements and it was so much fun. I really love the spontaneity of screen printing. I am an impatient person, and it enables me to get an idea across almost immediately.” Receiving welldeserved recognition for her work, Lisa says the road hasn’t been an easy one. Putting in the hard yards to achieve her goal of completing an art degree. “During those years of study I really found myself and this is what continues to drive my love for it today. A visual voice is my medium. It’s the easiest way for me to communicate and, being a mother, it has enabled me to express the journey of motherhood from the perspective of a child who had a child. There is always inspiration. Life was always changing. Never constant. The memories and nostalgia of childhood and capturing all that parenthood brings like the time when a child starts school or leaves home. Having a visual voice to portray those moments of happiness and sadness is something that everyone can relate to. It is incredibly cathartic for me. It’s been 12 years of hard work and lots of knockbacks but holding onto the highlights and the achievements is what has kept me going. Being an artist is not the easiest of careers, but it is how you get back up, brush yourself off and continue to fight another day. I have a passion and a desire to create and I am prepared to fight tooth and nail for it. That is the impetus behind what drives me on my journey.”

Nominated as one of the Top 10 Artists for the Christchurch Art Show this month, Lisa is currently working on a piece that will be voted on at the show. “I have a piece in mind that I am designing which consists of approximately 30 separate screen-printed layers. I am pretty excited about this because it is such a challenge but gives me such a fire in my belly.” Consecutively winning the People’s Choice Awards at both the Christchurch and Dunedin Art Shows two years in a row, receiving invitations to exhibit in Hong Kong and the NZ Art Show, hosting sell-out exhibitions, and showing work in nine galleries across the country including Purpose Gallery in Mapua, life is full-on for the talented artist. “I also have an exhibition coming up in Akaroa, and later one in Hamilton. It is going to be a busy year for sure!”

Christchurch Art Show 17th - 19th March

Little River Gallery 29th April - 30th May

NZ Art Show in Wellington 31st May - 5th June lisagrennellartist.co.nz