Artist in focus: Lisa Henshall

Our campaign poster for the next edition of Affordable Art Fair Battersea Spring has just launched, featuring artist Lisa Henshall‘s beautiful abstract painting ‘Peaceful’. Represented by ArtDog London, Lisa is an internationally acclaimed artist, whose colourful abstract works are highly expressive, dynamic and delicate. Inspired by landscapes and loved ones, Lisa’s paintings communicate her personal experience of the world through textured layers of paint.

Can’t wait to return to leafy Battersea Park, in London this Spring? Neither can we! Book your tickets now and read on to learn more about how Lisa’s works come to life, her influences and journey to becoming an artist…

INTERVIEW WITH LISA HENSHALL

Your abstract work is described as ‘expressing in pigments what cannot be expressed in words’. Can you tell us more about your artistic process?

I absolutely love to paint, I am never happier than surrounded by paint and paintings.  

My process evolves through layers of observational drawing, followed by instinctive painterly responses which layer to form abstract paintings of more than just the physical spaces; my experiences of the world.

Currently I am working on paintings exploring the push and pull of external landscape and internal dialogue – how our thoughts and feelings colour our experience of the world.  

What did you want to express with Peaceful? How do you hope viewers will feel when looking at this work?

It is really important to me that the paintings allow space for the viewer’s experience of them. My work brings joy and colour to unique creative homes.  

‘Peaceful’ encourages the viewer to wander through and settle in a safe space, allowing time for the viewer to feel their own responses.

“Colourful, Playful and moving, the acrylic and mixed media artworks I create aim to express in pigments what cannot be expressed in words and capture the shared space between us.“

– Lisa Henshall

Which artists do you draw influence from?

I draw influence  from everything in life but these amazing artists I certainly admire… Barbara Hepworth, Peter Doig, Fiona Rae, Patrick Heron, Ivon Hitchen, Barbara Rae, Heather Day.

Can you tell us about your journey to the arts? Have you always wanted to become an artist?

When I was little I loved rock pools and gardens. I remember standing welly deep in a rock pool and being completely transfixed by the patterns, lines, shapes and sense of life. I felt connected with the joy and life of the world and haven’t stopped searching for those moments ever since.  

Paint brings me joy, paint is life and hope for me, it has always been in me, it is what I do. After studying painting at Loughborough University, I studied Art Education at Cambridge University. I made artwork but not with the confidence and fluidity of the last decade. I taught for many years and went back to predominantly painting about 7 years ago. 

I have a studio at home which I love as this enables me to balance being a single mum of three, and being an artist.  It was perfect for lockdown as well!

What does the Affordable Art Fair represent for you? What do you enjoy about the fair?

Pippa Graber of ArtDog London asked me to develop a collection of larger paintings for her gallery and Affordable Art Fair. It has given me such confidence and strength in my work which I will always be grateful for.

The Affordable Art fair really is my absolute favourite art fair, with such a great atmosphere, a wonderful way to buy affordable original artwork for unique and creative people.  It’s a great place to find investment pieces too.

It has given me a way of sharing my work in the context of so many fabulous galleries.  I am so looking forward to the Spring edition.

A big thank you to artist Lisa Henshall for taking part in our campaign. If you’d like to see more of Lisa’s work in person, be sure to head down to ArtDog London’s stand at Affordable Art Fair, Battersea from 10 – 13 March.

You can also browse and purchase Lisa’s works on our online marketplace.