Artist Talk: Lisa Mara Bell

Join us for a conversation with artist Lisa Mara, whose work will be featured in the library's hallway exhibit from July 1st through July 31st. 

Artist Biography   

I live in Texas but consider myself a New Yorker as that is where I grew up. After retiring from the USAF and virtually traveling around the world, I made my home in San Antonio and resumed a teaching career.

Art has always been a part of my life experience. I grew up immersed in slides of European historical art and architecture. My grandfather’s paint box is my paint box. Overflowing with multiple paint tubes it sits, open and ready for action in my studio. The first painting you see when you enter my home is the oil painting he did of me as a child. So you see, it was always just meant to be. 

Sixth grade was the first time I ever saw an art teacher. When she came to my classroom, I thought, this is a job? I was hooked!

I became an art teacher. I believe my gift was in getting students to appreciate their innate ability to create art. I took every opportunity to have them earn recognition through Visual Art Scholastic Events (VASE) and art shows. I continue to juror yearly VASE events where artists and teachers interview students one on one to discuss their particular art. This is a positive, uplifting experience for our Texas students.

Now that I am retired again, it is simply my turn. I see beauty in people, places, and my surroundings. I feel there is pure pleasure in creating paintings that exude and captivate while mixing colorful combinations. Subject matter ranges from animals to people to nature to just plain abstract. My media is diverse and my focus eclectic. I like simple, impressionistic, and abstract art. I’d like to believe that people that want my art find the spirit that resides within. This is where I plan to go today.

In addition to both the San Antonio and Texas Art Education Associations, I belong to numerous professional organizations and museums. I’m most proud to be an active member of GAGA, a group of over 100 Texas female artists who meet in San Antonio and exhibit throughout the US. 

I have been in several juried shows at the San Antonio Art League and Museum as well as the annual Fabric exhibition. My abstract paintings have been displayed in the Southwest School of Art as well as galleries in, Boerne, Wimberley, New Braunfels, San Marcus, Beeville, Fredericksburg, and Victoria. I am an active member of GAGA, an organization of south Texas female artists, and both the San Antonio and Texas Art Education Associations.

More information and examples of Lisa Mara's art can be found at lisamara.com.

(Image credit: "Pensieroso", oil/cold wax on cradle board by Lisa Mara Bell)