Lissa Herschleb

With little preconception of image, color or technique, I sit at my drawing table, pencil in hand summoning up a feeling to accompany and image to paint. I’ve come to believe that my motivation and inspiration come from the National Geographic Magazines that captivated me as a child in the late 50’s. I sat amazed by the photographs of what was beyond my small world-insects the color of eggs at Easter, men painted in ceremonial delight, even plants that seemed to be from other planets. It is not, though, just the imagery of the peoples, but their resonance with Mother Earth that struck me. When my artistic skills developed to a degree that I could articulate through drawing and color, that wonder and feeling filtered through.

My paintings are dedicated to those whose compassion resonates with all creatures great and small and a planet that is all too close to losing all of its’ precious diversity.

Transparent watercolor is the primary medium. Visual texture is achieved though a layering of various techniques such as splattering, salting, sponging, etc. The use of wet paint on dry paper allows for strong edges that don’t bleed and the possibility of more saturated pigment. Most pieces are created with all water-soluble mediums: transparent watercolor, watercolor pencil, water-soluble oil and gouache. Once in a while, a bit of graphite sneaks in.