Lisa Rose Musselwhite
War or Peace?
International Art Exhibition
Artist
BIO
The Pacific NW, Oregon, has always been my home. Nature and art have always inspired me, since I was a child. I did not realize I was an artist until I was in my 40s when a friend of mine saw some of the drawings I made for my children, and said, "hey your pretty good, with some guidance you could do some great work." I was encouraged, and I went to a Community College and took some art courses and it blossomed from there. I started with Simple images and moved up from there. I than got inspired to draw women and depict the struggle many of us go through as women in our world. My Reflections of a Women series was born, (34 paintings in all). In which they move from depression/oppression to confidence and strength. Which in turn gave me confidence and strength. This propelled me into the work I do now, with landscapes, horses, dogs, buildings and people. The series I am currently working on is “A view from my Window during Covid” I've asked people from around the world if I can paint the view from there window while we all stay home because of Covid, they have given me permission to paint there photos, it has given me a connection to others around the world like I have never had before, I am now friends with many of these people on Facebook and we continue to communicate, it’s a blessing to me.
For 10 years I volunteered at The Gresham Visual Arts gallery, setting up, organizing, showing my art and curating shows. It was a real joy to work with emerging artists and show their work and help them gain confidence. I have also done many street shows over the years. Now, due to Covid I am at home, painting and showing my artwork in several different juried international online art shows, and I have won several awards for my paintings. I also ride my horse, teach my Newfoundland dog tricks and babysit my grandbaby weekly.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I paint because I must! I have a driving desire to paint my emotions while I delve within myself to find the truth of who I am. I lived far too long trying to be and please who I thought society and others wanted me to be. I am who I am, and I continue this journey of self-awareness through my artwork and my life to find the balance.
George Leonard said: "At the heart of each of us there exists a silent pulse of perfect rhythm which connects us to everything in the universe".
This silent pulse is what I search for in myself and I want to express in my art. May the spirits grant me the time and wisdom to achieve this goal.