Lisa Houston – Mara

Resipole Studios is delighted to present MARA: an exhibition of paintings by Scottish artist Lisa Houston. In this, the artist’s first solo show, paintings on display reflect a deep affinity for the west coast of Scotland and a long-held love for the sea.

Lisa’s connection to west coast of Scotland began some thirty years ago on family holidays to Loch Sunart and the surrounding area, where many fond memories were made. It was a place she felt an instant connection to, returning year upon year, and would eventually make it her home. Having been brought up in rural Stirlingshire, where her creative spark began, Lisa went on to have a successful career in education as both a headteacher and an advisor to the Scottish government. However, it wasn’t until relocating to the west coast permanently in 2013 that a long-lost love of drawing and painting was rekindled. Subsequently, creating visual art has become something Lisa is compelled to do every day, and she now cannot help but “see the world through artist’s eyes”.

In addition to drawing upon deep memories of a sense of place, Lisa’s work is inspired by time spent exploring, observing and recording; from being fully immersed in the landscape that surrounds her, whether that be on foot or by boat. Walking the shoreline near to her home at the last low tide, seeing what treasures and changes the sea brings each day, fascinates her, and informs her work. Equally, time spent sailing around the west coast and beyond allows her to study the land from the sea. It is therefore no wonder that her work often employs this unique perspective.