Birds, rabbits and elephants, too
by Joan Perry | Contributing Writer
I’ve accumulated a few of artist Lisa Shimko’s whimsical paintings over the years – bears wearing crowns and scarves, great blue herons and colorful painted buntings. While she has a broad range of art, her vibrant, dream-like paintings often feature animals and birds as symbolic storytellers.
I found a giant bird at Consign Charleston and painted it to match a Painted Bunting she had featured, adding an appropriately sized crown.
Then, I realized the bear statue in my own backyard was a perfect model for a bear she features, and I found the accessories he needed to match her paintings.
Slightly obsessed, you ask? It gets worse. I am a miniature crafter, and with permission, I shrunk pieces of her artwork to a tiny scale for wall decor in my little rooms.
I met Shimko briefly at Casey Thompson O’Dell’s annual Northbridge neighborhood Holiday Emporium last Christmas, but I knew she was in town for an October show. I rallied a few friends who admired her work, and invited her to meet the bear in her paintings. In between bites of deviled eggs, pasta salad and chocolate cake, we had the most delightful artist interview.
Originally from the York County, Pennsylvania area, Shimko earned her BFA in painting and art therapy from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Pouring through artists’ reference books as a student, she found herself drawn to southern landscapes, and since moving south in 2000, she has spent time in some of our most beautiful areas – Hilton Head, Daufuskie, Wadmalaw, Goat Island, and of course, Charleston. She supported her art working in many of our favorite restaurants including Basil and Barsa, taught at Heritage Academy in Hilton Head and was in-volved with local creative projects including Enough Pie and Kulture Klash.
Although her current studio is in the upstate, Shimko keeps a presence in the Lowcountry and describes it as “the home of my heart,” with her paintings being love letters to one of the places she loves the most.
Shimko describes herself as a curious person, always reading, researching, daydreaming and pondering our relationship with nature.
Her website statement describes it well. “My paintings are mind-frolicking-idea-collages pieced together after wandering around woods and waterways of South Carolina then scratching an infinite learning itch in sociology, philosophy, mythology, anthropology, psychology, current events, etc. The slight cheekiness in my paintings satisfies an acknowledgment of the absurdity of life.”
The whimsical nature of her art appealed to us, and we couldn’t resist asking the usual, “what does it mean?” questions about the crowns, boats, and necklaces. Sandy Ostapeck appreciated that while the art explores multiple themes, we as the viewers are free to interpret and find our own meaning in the paintings. Perhaps it is the joy and happiness that immediately drew us to the colorful paintings. Susan Quinn Sand was enchanted with the new Roseate Pink Spoonbill series, while Jennie Clarkson Olbrych was delighted to learn one of her favorite artists was locally based.
Lisa Shimko is freshly back from her current show in New Orleans: The Hazy Clarity of Day-dreams, at the LeMieux Galleries until Nov. 22. Shimko does commissioned work. You might contact her for a portrait of your pet, or a painting to celebrate a marriage, birthday, etc. Meanwhile enjoy browsing through current and past painting
at: www.shimkoart.com
Happy Thanksgiving to all. Stay healthy my friends, and wave at me as I wander. Send ideas for upcoming columns to: westashleywanderer@gmail.com.
