Blank Slate: Featuring Lisa Chow

Twirling in the abyss of our Blank Slate chalk wall, Lisa Chow’s Girls of Summer glow with energy and excitement for the first month of the “It’s-gettin’-a-bit-hot-y’all” season. That ability to telegraph an instant-vibe is the hallmark of Lisa’s style—each piece has a delightful mix of quirk and substance that draws people in and makes them remember good times.

Let’s jump right in.

Describe your style as an artist.

Whimsical, feminine, nostalgic.

Can you tell us a little bit about the work you created for The Black Sheep Agency office?

I am so excited about The Black Sheep Agency’s new shift towards cause driven clients and I wanted to create a piece for Blank Slate that reflects a mission I am really passionate about: Empowering girls.

As the June artist, I wanted something to celebrate the beginning of summer, thus, the diving girls. I drew my first diving girl a couple of summers ago and every summer since, they find their way back into my drawings. The diving girls remind me of innocent childhood summers spent wading in my neighborhood pool while getting sunburned and freckled. While these little swimmers look sweet, they’ve got their hot pink war paint on. Girls are fierce. Girls are brave. Girls are strong. Don’t underestimate them.

Where did you get the idea, and what do you want viewers to learn from it?

I’m a girl. And now I have a little girl. I remember all the mixed messages and mixed feelings I had growing up as a girl. I hope my daughter is stronger and more self assured than I was. Even if societal values and attitudes towards women don’t change as fast as I’d like, I hope my daughter will be strong enough to stand her own.

What inspires you?

Colors, fairy tales, nursery rhymes, Wes Anderson movies, glitter, childhood.

If you could be any artistic tool — pencil, crayons, oil pastels, computer, etc. — which one would you be?

Glitter. Because glitter.

What is your most favorite thing you’ve created?

My daughter. Second to her, would be my cats. I’ve created monsters out of them.

What is the first thing you do when you get up in the morning?

I throw open the curtains to let the sunshine in. My husband hates it.

What is the first thing you do when you begin a new art project?

Sharpen a pencil and flip to a new page.

Artists are notoriously weird. Prove it. (Or argue it.)

I misuse air quotes. “A lot.”

Has anyone ever said to you, “I don’t get it?” If so, how do you respond to that?

Absolutely. I would be worried if no one ever had. I can’t remember how I responded but I’d like to respond in the future with, “Me neither.”

Fill in the blank. “I would die without ________.”  

My family……..and coffee.

What advice do you have to other creatives?

Don’t overthink it.

Where can people see more of your work?

Instagram @lisachowart

Facebook www.facebook.com/LisaChowArt

Website www.lisachowart.com