Meet Lisa Korte | Abstract Artist

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

Hi Lisa, what inspires you?
I am inspired by human nature, the good and bad. The phenomenon of consciousness and human evolution. The randomness of Planet Earth and our participation in its destruction, as well as destroying one another.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I didn’t graduate from college and while I was attending, I didn’t take any art classes.
I took my first painting class in 2015 at the community art league in Long Island. I fell in love with abstract painting and I spent most of my free time painting.
The instructor became my mentor and I took his class every week and after just one year of painting, he invited me to participate in a non-juried show at his gallery. My painting sold for $1,000.
That was almost a decade ago, yet I still seek guidance to work my way through my art and to know if a painting is done or if I should cover up more and rely less on imagery.
I have completed some pretty cool abstract paintings. My art walks a fine line and can go horribly wrong, but somehow seems to communicate with a language of its own. I had my first solo show in March of 2024 while also suffering from a severe mental health crisis. Although I was unwell, I was proud of my collection and how far I’d come in just 8 years.
I do grapple with my lack of education and formal training and I require feedback and critiques from other more seasoned artists. I am also not a creator of realism in my art and it holds me back in many ways. I try to practice technical drawing using still objects, but admittedly I get frustrated and give up. There was a lot of trauma in my childhood and it prevented me from achieving success at a young age.
I try not to allow it to discourage me and instead I use it to fuel my paintings. It essentially aligns with my inspiration- human nature. My parents after all are human, but it’s no longer their responsibility to play a role in my success.
I’m not going to thank them for what I’ve achieved so perhaps I shouldn’t blame them for my failures.

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.
When visiting me in Colorado, I love taking my friends and family to the mountains for a hike. Fresh air, exercise, and beauty in nature.
I also like to take visitors to Meow Wolf in Denver because it is suitable for people of all ages and interests.
I love to host and cook for my guests as well. Cooking is just another way for me to create. I find myself channeling my paternal grandmother, who grew up in Morocco and never learned to read. She made lots of babies and cooked day and night. Although I am not of the same socioeconomic circumstances, I cook like her…same spices. Moroccan dishes like couscous with root vegetables and chickpeas.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My Aunt Melanie
Artists who have mentored me over the years: Kevin Larkin and Mark Brasuell.
Support and encouragement from artist peers, Jude Barton and Eric Davidson.
My boyfriend Adam as well

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressionistlisa?igsh=MWZzN3IycnFhdW1ndg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr