The Miniature Ecosystems of Lisa Ericson

Deer, Flamingo and Turtles Become Islands Teeming with Life

Lisa Ericson’s ideas are often science-inspired, but with a surreal twist. She may read or hear about a scientific or environmental phenomenon and it provides a kernel of inspiration which can lead to a painting or an entire series. She uses the black background to create the drama of the spotlight on her chosen subject. This, singles them out, exposes their every tiny detail, and creates a void of the unknown around them. In that way, each piece becomes an intimate portrait. She thinks of the animals in her paintings as simultaneously representing the natural world and also reflecting our own human struggle and emotion.

“I like to draw parallels between the two. Explained the artist.

Lisa painted from a very young age. She took her first art class when she was five and later studied art at Yale University.

All of her paintings are done in acrylics on wood panels. She likes the hard surface of the panels, and uses multiple thin layers of paint to build up her images. She uses a combination of Golden and Liquitex acrylic paints.

“Why yes, I do use very tiny brushes! My go-to brushes are Princeton Select Short Liners and Rounds, which I buy in bulk. I’m hard on my brushes and they don’t retain their necessary precise points for long. I can spend anywhere from two weeks to a month on a single painting, depending on size and detail.”