About the Artist

 

Lisa Mathewson (b. 1980) is a mixed-media artist whose abstract paintings explore themes of faith, rhythm of memory, and the language of sound through abstraction.

She earned her bachelor's degree from Marquette University in Communications and Business. Her artistic journey began in childhood, where creativity spilled onto paper, canvas, and even furniture. Her early love of experimenting with materials led her to develop a strong portfolio in high school and discover her passion for abstract painting. She went on to study photography, design, and illustration, eventually building a successful career as a wedding and lifestyle photographer—refining her eye as a visual storyteller.

After over a decade, Lisa returned to her first love: abstract art. Drawing inspiration from interiors, design, color, and nature, she creates modern works with a distinct sense of composition and visual rhythm.

Lisa lives in Wauwatosa, WI, with her husband and three children. Together, they embrace an active life—whether outdoors, at sporting events, or simply making the most of everyday moments.

Artist Statement:

My work is rooted in the tension between chaos and calm, exploring how hope can emerge in the midst of life’s struggles. Through abstraction, I translate the rhythm of memory and the language of sound into layered gestures, textured surfaces, and shifting tones. Each mark becomes both a release and a record of time—echoes of music, breath, or fleeting conversation.

I approach the canvas intuitively, allowing movement to guide me, so that loops of charcoal or strokes of paint capture the coexistence of conflicting emotions—uncertainty and peace, weight and lightness, silence and song. Influenced by nature, interiors, and the quiet pulse of everyday life, my paintings balance spontaneity with structure, inviting tension to live alongside harmony.

At the heart of my practice is gratitude. I believe true peace is found not in the absence of struggle, but in recognizing beauty within it. My paintings invite viewers to slow down, to notice, and to discover their own echoes of hope and stillness within the work.