Lightfastness

Sewing Seeds

Blossom

Freedom Painting

By Lisa Noonis

I start a painting with the open mindedness of an explorer. I don’t fully know where any given piece will land but am certain that if I show up to work every day, it will arrive at its destination. Truth be told, the idea of a “set process” confines me. I am interested in what promotes freedom in my work. Ultimately the act of creating is as important as the final outcome. 

I paint figures, still life, and landscapes—and push these knowns into abstracted places where imagination meets real life – allowing the painting to guide me. I combine my love of color, form, line, and design without fully abandoning representation. While I maintain a practice of working from life, studies, sketches, and memory, I aim to exceed the lens of sight. In the end I hope to invite viewers to create their own narrative, one that transcends my preliminary subject matter.

I work in a constant state of experimentation and discovery. My materials range from acrylic, flashe, and latex paint to graphite and collage—media whose very nature allows me the freedom to work expressively and without hesitation. I often work directly on large sheets of canvas or paper on the walls, sometimes using tools like squeegees, stencils, brooms, and brushes with extension poles. I often use my nondominant hand as it produces unexpected marks that surprise and feel unforced.  

As a self-taught painter, artistic growth is critical to me and so, my work will forever change. It keeps me interested and excited about making new work. While transformation is a challenge on many levels, it forces me to go beyond what I think I know and feeds my curious nature. 

Lisa Noonis shows her work around the country and is featured in many private collections. She is represented by galleries in Atlanta, GA, Charlotte, NC, Kansas City, MO, and Los Gatos, CA and West Palm Beach, FL.

Lisa will be presenting at the Rye Art Study meeting on Monday April 21st at 10 am at the Rye Congregational Church.