Meet Lisa Lopez Huffman | Artist/Painter & Creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lisa Lopez Huffman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
The single most important decision I had to make was asking myself if I embody the ability to have unwavering belief in myself, my art, and my talent. That no matter what obstacle may stand in my path, whether it’s financial, talent, or outside support, it was most important that I already believed in myself 100%. I am a fierce force sharing with the world or one single person, that I believe what I have to say with my Art, by moving paint. An unwavering belief in myself, is what I feel has contributed to my success.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I was the first artist to conceptualize Pulmonary Butterfly as a symbolic art. I was the first unit Secretary on the Pulmonary unit at Children’s Hospital in Aurora when it first opened and there was no art on the walls. Medically speaking, a pulmonary butterfly describes an infection in the lungs. I created the Pulmonary Butterfly to have a different meaning than sadness. I wanted to create something beautiful so when the children & families came out into the halls, they could see the Pulmonary Butterfly moving in a more beautiful way. I am excited that I have the ability to make that emotion happen. A butterfly has a different meanings to everyone, and has since metamorphosized to those symbolic ideas in homes and businesses across Colorado and the country.
The easy part is the creating, I love that I have been blessed with this very rare ability. The story behind the origin of the Pulmonary Butterflies often grabs people’s attention, however people see beyond a static definition. My art is approachable to anyone because it’s vibrant color and fantastic movement allows you to be drawn into a deeper meaning.
The truth about the art industry is that it is a constant hustle. What I have learned on my own is that I decide how I want my work to be seen and how will I share it with the world. More recently, Covid further illuminated the medical origins of my art, and magnified the depth and emotions of what we’ve all been through. I want the reach of the Pulmonary Butterflies to be far and wide, acknowledging our collective journey and bringing positive colors and forward movement to us all.
Beyond making art, I want to share the inspiration of Pulmonary Butterflies, and also create and manage a successful business. This requires participation in many different communities, financial insight, and a non-stop drive to work on my business everyday. Luckily, it’s also exciting and fulfilling.
While some people might think art is a luxury item, I would encourage them to look on their walls and tabletops. Most people are already spending money at big box stores on home or business decor.
Buying art locally or a piece of art that you have a genuine connection with does not have to be an extravagance.
I attempt at overcoming these challenges by having multiple arms to my business, ranging from paintings, murals to my newest creation, the series I call “Bedtime Sketches.”

While I haven’t had the typical academic path to becoming an artist, I’ve been passionate enough to learn for myself. People’s tendency is to put a value on art based on an artist’s earning capability. My art is here, available to everyone, and aims to educate, relate movement in others, and encourage their own artistic expression in their environment through my Pulmonary Butterflies.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
A week long adventure involves connecting with the locals of the places I want to explore. I’m a talker, I will visit with anyone and everyone in my path. I would start at Red Rocks. A common denominator of people you will find at Red Rocks are people are there for the beauty, whether it’s the views or the music. Where are people from? Where did they dine? Was it good? Where else are they going? Word of mouth, people’s excitement about what they have learned in their exploration and experiences, is where I may want to go.
To live in Colorado is a gift. Our climate is devine, the people are lovely, our choices in this beautiful place are endless.
City O City in downtown Denver is my favorite restaurant. My vegan lifestyle is fed not only through the delicious food but the cool vibe that runs through it. It sits a block away from our Capital that can be seen through it’s beautiful windows, reminding us what a cool city we get to live in.
The best part of any adventure is exploring places that locals find important to them. To ask a stranger a place that is special to visit, whether a park, store, or cafe, those are the places I want to adventure.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A lot of credit goes to my two children, Haley & Reece. They have watched me paint and create for the majority of their lives. When I decided that I was going to immerse myself with no abandon into my Art, their encouragement throughout this process bolstered my strength.

Website: Pulmonarybutterflies.com

Instagram: @pulmonary_butterflies

Linkedin: Pulmonary Butterflies

Other: My largest mural, Castle Rock Welcomes You & The Tree of Life, can be seen at 805 Wilcox in Castle Rock, at the base of the Rock. The Barn Antique store in downtown Castle rock carries several of my 4’x5’ Pulmonary Butterfly original paintings, as well as several other smaller originals. Colorado Furniture in Conifer also Carrie’s several of my large original paintings. My greeting card art can be found at Union American Bistro & Rogala Designs in Denver. My most recent mural is at Schotime Dance Center in Castle Rock. I’m trying to figure out how to add my news clip from Channel 2!

Image Credits
The two images next to my barn and in my studio were of me were captured by Aaron Sager. DonNoraa.com The first photo I uploaded was taken by me with a timer on my phone.