ST. GEORGE – Looking for an art exhibit that’s different from the norm? Look no further than local artist Lisa Roland who invites one and all to come and experience her artwork that she declares is “a lot more vibrant than St. George is used to.”
On Oct. 8, at the Mojo Underground, Roland will be displaying a variety of works that portray the evolution of her art. Pieces from her childhood through to her more recent works will be available for public view.
Roland draws inspiration from such painters as Van Gogh and Marcel Duchamp, who she describes as people who were “always a little different.” Her paintings employ bright, bold colors, and have what she calls, “a bit of quirkiness,” to each of them. Roland added that her works have often been compared to surrealism.
Aside from the style, Roland also draws inspiration for her paintings from “watching people and how they interact.” She also gets ideas from “people expressing social behaviors.” Examples of the themes that inspire Roland’s work include: the affects of life’s pressures on the individual, loneliness, the death of a beloved pet and the acceptance of societal mediocrity.
Roland commented that local reception has been “a mixed bag.” She described how some people have been taken aback by the loud, hard-to-miss colors and surrealistic style, while others have heartily welcomed a change of pace in the local scene. Roland lamented the thought that there seemed to be a dearth of “out-of-the-box” painters in a region seemingly dominated by depictions of local nature and history.
Originally from Georgia, Roland recounted that she become interested in art after seeing a weatherman doodle stick-figures on the TV. Just nine years old at the time, her parents helped foster their daughter’s newfound talent by providing her first batch of art supplies. Roland continued to develop her artistic abilities, and took classes in middle school and high school as they became available.
Along the way, she began to win awards for her works. Among these wins was a national art competition when she was 17.
When asked about future plans involving her artwork, Roland said that she is currently attending Southern Utah University in order to obtain a degree that will enable her to teach art in schools.
She also said with a laugh that, “My biggest dream is having a painting hanging in the Tate Gallery in England.”
Roland’s art has previously been displayed at the St. George Art Museum, the Twiggs and Moore Gallery, and Twenty-fiveMain Cafe. Current exhibits are being shown at Artisans in Cedar City, and St. George at Mojo Underground, where Roland invites everyone to come and meet her and take a gander at her work on the evening of Oct 8 from 7 to 9 p.m.
“Come and revel in the difference,” Roland said, speaking of her paintings. “Maybe it will inspire you.”
For more information on Lisa Roland and her artwork, visit: “Art by Lisa Roland” on Facebook.com, www.facebook.com/pages/Art-by-Lisa-Roland/1001007133844224?ref=ts.