Lisa Call
Lisa Call
I work with fabric.

First I create color. I start with white fabric and using dyes and paints I create my palette of colors, textures and patterns. This is the fun messy part of my process. Kind of like finger painting.

The second step involves cutting up my fabric and arranging it into an interesting composition. After I’ve found a dynamic composition, I stitch the fabric back together.

This is the hardest part. It’s a dance between planning ahead and improvisation – like putting together a puzzle where the pieces are constantly changing size throughout the project.

I LOVE the challenge.

Making marks by painting and stamping is the third process in my studio practice. I use tools mostly associated with sewing (such as empty spools of thread) and a selection of hand carved stamps to make my marks.

In the forth step I create texture across the surface with oodles of thread. It takes hours and hours to add the dense stitching to the work.

This is currently my favorite part of the process. The soothing repetition of sewing straight lines back and forth. For hours and hours. Meditation.
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About About
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My abstract textile paintings explore memory, movement, possibility and adventure. The inclusion of mark making in my most recent work allows me to explore layering of complex patterns.

About Me

I work with fabric.

First I create color. I start with white fabric and using dyes and paints I create my palette of colors, textures and patterns. This is the fun messy part of my process. Kind of like finger painting.

The second step involves cutting up my fabric and arranging it into an interesting composition. After I’ve found a dynamic composition, I stitch the fabric back together.

This is the hardest part. It’s a dance between planning ahead and improvisation – like putting together a puzzle where the pieces are constantly changing size throughout the project.

I LOVE the challenge.

Making marks by painting and stamping is the third process in my studio practice. I use tools mostly associated with sewing (such as empty spools of thread) and a selection of hand carved stamps to make my marks.

In the forth step I create texture across the surface with oodles of thread. It takes hours and hours to add the dense stitching to the work.

This is currently my favorite part of the process. The soothing repetition of sewing straight lines back and forth. For hours and hours. Meditation.

Examples of My Work

Round and Round
Piedra
Aragon
Altura
Long Way Home
City Lights

Fun Facts

Adventure - In 2015 I came to New Zealand to teach an art class. I didn't go back home to Denver. I am now a New Zealand Citizen.
Rocks - I have little piles of them throughout my house and am always on the look out for new specimens to join the collection.
Favorite Way to Procrastinate - playing Pokemon Go. Pikachu!
Cats vs Dogs - clearly cats. They make you work for it.
Hometown - I grew up in Los Alamos, New Mexico. I do not, as you might worry, glow in the dark.

More About Me

What inspires you?

Being outdoors. I am currently on a mission to complete all ten of the New Zealand Great Walks. Only two more to go. I will be completing the Heaphy track (82 km / 51 miles) just days before our show opens here!

What do you wish you could tell your younger artist self?

I would love to tell my younger artist self the importance of a daily sketchbook habit.

The process and purpose felt like a mystery at the start. And now finally, many many years later, I've cracked that nut.

Cracking open the sketchbook is one of my favorite parts of my day. The pure joy of making marks and laying down color.

What other non-artist jobs have you had?

I have a couple of degrees in Computer Science and came very close to completing my PhD. I worked for many years as a software engineer and eventually project and team manager.

I can definitively say that being an artist is by far my favorite of the two careers.

Oh - and in college I washed dishes in the cafeteria. Again - I prefer the art.