Providing a background seems like a resume, but it often helps for others to know where, how, and why an artist has pursued their endeavors.
Lisa Reiser had demonstrated an interest in Fine Arts at a very young age and was strongly encouraged by family and teachers. She has enjoyed instruction under such artists as Georgina Jonitz, Lillian Hall, Barclay Sheaks, Lane Palmisano, Patricia Witt, Oliver Grimley, Sarah Shapiro, Lori Sayman, and many others.
She pursued a degree in Fine Arts, taking courses at Tidewater Community College, Old Dominion University, Roanoke Community College, and Cumberland County College, where she finally earned her Ceramic Technology Certification. Her lengthy absence from the arts was resolved by her partner, companion, and spouse, Charlie, whose gentle encouragement compelled Lisa to get back into arts as a form of healing and expressive creativity. As a result of her experiences, recovery, and healing processes, Lisa is a very strong advocate for victims of domestic violence and abuse.
Lisa has participated in numerous shows and exhibits, including the VA Beach Boardwalk Art Show, Ghent Arts Festival, Portsmouth Boardwalk Art Show, Riverfront Renaissance Arts Center, The Barn Studio of Art, Gallery 51, and the Cumberland County College Arts Major Show. She is an active Member of the "Craftsmen of the Endless Mountains" and participates in their seasonal craft shows.
Her work is in private collections in CA, TX, FL, SC, TN, IN, VA, as well as London, Germany, France, and Portugal.
Lisa holds fast to the belief that everyone is an artist and that "being an artist" is not a preclusion to membership in a secret organization. To learn, to teach, and to explore are the most satisfying endeavors. Not one artist in history was born with a paintbrush or charcoal in their hands, and it's important for Lisa to convey to her students that all artists began in the same place.
Lisa's fascination with "mud" began with Neil Britton at Virginia Wesleyan College in 1977. She spent the summer learning how raw clay could be formed into functional and sculptural wares, and the primal and mystical processes of glazing and firing.
After her return to finish her degree in Fine Arts, Lisa discovered Clay College in Millville, NJ through elective ceramic courses and became instantly immersed in the world of clay. At Clay College, she was exposed to some of the finest and most well-informed ceramic artists in the Mid-Atlantic region. Her influences and mentors have been Jaqueline Sandro, David Gamber, Kristi Blank, Joseph T. Guerrera, Terry Plasket, Lana Heckendorn, Kenny Delio, Liz Quackenbush, Lisa Naples, and many, many others.
Lisa has participated in shows and exhibits at both Clay College and Cumberland County College, as well as organized events and galleries.
The passion of ceramics is something that is an excercise in Zen, and the intensity of focus has provided relaxation and bright horizons for Lisa. Her ceramic work and pottery are more a spiritual expression of Self than anything else.
