This site will tell the tale of my recent journey, rediscovering the pleasure of drawing and painting. I will show you my inspiration, progress and of course my art.

I make portraits, but not your average ‘state’ portrait. I want something to be happening, a brilliant smile, a hair toss, a candid moment, movement or a beautiful play of light and dark. Something that makes you look twice.

My work is either very colorful or black and white. I rarely do backgrounds because it often takes away from what I want to show you,  and that’s that glimpse into someone’s soul.

The play of lights and shadows is of major importance to my work. It’s what’s makes it 3d in stead off just 2d flat. I love how I can create an almost touchable face with just white paint on a black canvas.  And I paint in layers waiting for that moment that it suddenly turns from flat to something almost tangible. It still surprises me every time. It’s what makes it fun!

My work shows detail and realism but with a twist. I don’t mind leaving big parts blank if I think it’s what  enhances the impression I want it to make.  I do want noses, ears, eyes and mouths to be where they should be. I feel it’s key to get my portrait to smile, cry or laugh as the person im painting does.

I started drawing in March 2019, mostly with color markers on canvas. About a year later I did my first portrait in paint. It has and still is fun to find ways to get on to canvas what I have in my head. 9 out off 10 times, I don’t succeed in that, but I still like what I made, it’s just not what I had in mind. Guess I’m going to have to keep trying 😇

Believe it or not,  I find it hard to read people’s faces in real life.  To me it’s only logical that I have found my muse in someone who has the most inspiring, ugly, funny, sweet, crazy, beautiful and loving expressions I have ever seen. His name is Laurent Bourgeois, the oldest of Les Twins, the best dancers in the world. I don’t believe I will ever look at that face and not want to paint it. I feel fortunate to have met him and feel even more fortunate that he seems to like what I do.

But I have made my self a little resolution. You will find a lot of Laurent paintings (and Larry, his twin). And as much as I love painting them, I will alternate between Twins and other subjects to make myself grow as an artist. So far I’ve tried my hand at other people, though I do seem to favor dancers, babies, dogs and recently a horse. I do think I will stay with portraits,  maybe abstracts someday. But I love capturing that smile,  the sad eyes or the gentle stare.

If you like what I do, and you want a portrait done,  please contact me via Instagram (@lisaalberta4) or via old-fashioned email (lisaalberta1710@gmail.com).

I work from reference photos and will give credit to the photographer if I know who took it. I will try my best to get permission before I start on my painting. If you think I’ve used your picture without asking or crediting please let me know. I want to give credit where credits due.

The first 15 blogposts are not in chronological order btw.