Interview
David Lisowski
David grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, and always had a passion for art and the natural world. Upon the first time he visited the ocean, he knew that he would eventually live at the beach. After pursuing a Masters Degree in education, and teaching in Nashville, TN for a decade, David changed careers to work in mortgage loans. Although both careers were rewarding in their own ways, he made the move to the beach in April 2020. Since that time, David pursued his photography and art passions, drawing on inspiration from the beautiful world around him. He hopes to bring that strong connectedness to the beach, and love of life, to all the viewers of his artwork and photographs.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I have little formal training in the art world. I did not pursue art or photography in an academic setting. In a sense, it allows more freedom of expression and flow of inspiration. Sometimes, my art or photos may not have technical aspects of "art," but that makes it more genuine and authentic. I have always had a fascination with drawing, perspectives, light, and color. I am now finally getting a chance to pursue this hobby more, and hopefully, I can inspire others to do the same. I think there is too much pressure in the world to "succeed" or to pursue career paths that maintain the status quo. Success to me is doing what makes you happy.”
What inspires you?
“Honestly, anything. I am fascinated with compass and straightedge geometry (a.k.a. sacred geometry). I draw a lot of inspiration from that. I also enjoy viewing others' artwork and photography. Most of my work centers around the world around us. That is not to say all my artwork is the same! There is so much beauty in everything - natural and man-made - that captures our unique experience on their Earth. Living along 30A, one of the most beautiful places on Earth, is an endless supply of inspiration and material for my artwork. Traveling to cities like New York and Chicago balance that perspective with an almost polar-opposite experience in the world. The dichotomy of our slow, organic, natural beach life compared to the hustle and bustle of man-made goliaths really gives the yin and yang to my art and photography.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“Similarly to what inspires me, I incorporate geometry into my artwork. Not everything is strict and rigid. But even when taking photographs, there is a geometric aspect to framing the shot. My biggest "theme" to date would be the natural world around us - landscape photography. I also enjoy taking "portraits" of buildings and architecture, whether it's here at the beach or in some big city. Occasionally, my artwork might make a statement or contain a "message," but on the whole, I leave that up to the viewers - nothing overt.”
How would you describe your work?
“Capturing the natural beauty of the world around us. From life's simple moments to the complex intricacies of our world, there is always something to draw from, to learn from, and to experience.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Of course, many of the greats - DiVinci, Picasso, Van Gogh, Bob Ross, etc. But for some of the not-so-famous but still deserving artists, I follow many local artists, photographers, and creators like Jonah Allen, Susan Gunn, and Andy Saczynski. Other, more widely-known artists and photographers like Stephen Wilkes, Jason Weingart, or Ray H. Mercado or even "non-artists" like Robert Edward Grant.”
What is your creative process like?
“My paintings are wet-on-wet style using the Bob Ross technique. And similarly, I use a photograph or some other art piece as reference when painting. The process for painting is different from the process for photography. But the art, to me, is not necessarily the end product or result, but is the process itself - that act of creating is the art. So the physical steps and preparation may not be the same, but the creation process is very similar. For photography, there are some scheduled and planned shots, and there are some that are truly "in the moment."”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“I feel that artists expose reality. Artists share their unique perspective on the world with the world to inspire change. I'm not saying artwork has to be political or some deep-rooted philosophical dilemma, but artwork gives everyone the opportunity to experience life in ways that you may have not experienced it before. Art builds empathy for the human condition, and can reduce the most affluent and raise up the most degenerate to the same level. Artwork has been an important feature in human history for over 40,000 years, possibly even longer, and it is a testament to our opportunity to do more than merely survive in this world. We are meant to thrive, and to grow. As Picasso l said, "The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away."”
Website: liso-tography.com
Instagram: @lisotography
