Herr story
ARTIST STATEMENT
I consider my artwork to be a blending of two traditional forms of art into something unique. I call it sculptured illustration.
I have been drawn to horses and animals my entire life. I believe they are living works of art. From the flow of a horse’s mane to the lowered brow of a lion’s fierce gaze or the whimsical anatomy of a tree frog to the mythical curves of a seahorse, I see the world through their flow and form. I strive to bring forth their energy and spirit in my artwork. Each piece reflects my great love for these animals. I also hope to inspire an understanding of their importance and connection to us and the world.
Although my formal art education is in illustration. I have always loved working in clay and ceramics. That combination is what eventually lead me into becoming one of the few artists that do high relief sculpture, which is a rarity in the contemporary art world. My work is “sculptured illustration”. I do several sketches to plan out the form and anatomy details and then I create each sculpture by hand. I do not use molds, and I never cast my sculptures, so all of my work is one of a kind. I then use a new european glaze that mimics firing in a kiln without having to use a kiln. This allows for endless possibilities beyond the normal ceramic world. Once the glaze has cured, I can add whatever materials inspire me. I especially love searching for found objects like old jewelry or clocks so that I can deconstruct and incorporate them into each piece, to compliment the flow of the animal’s unique form. Sometimes a small piece or an intricate frame will inspire me into sculpting something entirely different. I then hand embellish the artwork one tiny piece at a time. It’s the little details that I love, who knows what I will come up with next?
ARTIST BIO
Lisa Herr is a Las Vegas mixed media artist who incorporates sculpture, glazes and painting to create a truly innovative vision. Lisa’s entire body of work revolves around the animal world, with a primary focus on horses.
“I want each piece to reflect my deep passion for these animals, and also to inspire people to take a responsible role in our co-existence with them. In my eyes, animals are already beautiful works of art. I simply strive to bring forth their energy and spirit in my work.” Lisa’s highly unique approach blends multiple mediums together with a wide range of abstract elements to create something stunning, vibrant and fresh.
“Each piece is unique, and must be handcrafted. They are impossible to mass produce, so I put a tremendous amount of focus and energy into every one. My hope is that my love and respect for these beautiful creatures shows in everything I do.”
Lisa’s background is in Fine Arts and Illustration. She holds a BFA in Illustration from the University of the Arts, and is the recipient of the Water Colorist Society’s Award in Illustration. As an in-house artist for the Franklin Mint, her product designs were international top sellers. She served as Art Director for Dezine Ltd., creating full product lines from concept to final rendering.
Her original series, published by World Art Group, appeared throughout the US in popular outlets such as Pier One, Pottery Barn and Kirklands. Her work has been featured in Decor magazine, L'vegue and The Equine Image. Lisa’s original work can be seen in corporate collections such as Nissho Iwai headquarters in Rockefeller Center in Manhattan, and Hammerhead International’s headquarters in Las Vegas, as well as many galleries, retail stores and private collections.
