Creative Spotlight | Lisa Shepherd

Published on 03 March 2021

Tell us a bit about who you are and what kind of creative work you make
I emigrated to Australia from England over 16 years ago. I originally studied Interior and Three-Dimensional Design and then specialised in textile design and printmaking. I discovered Cyanotypes over six years ago. The cyanotype process is a form of camera-less photography dating back to the 19^th Century. I now work primarily with this medium and am totally hooked.

I am continuously experimenting with the cyanotype process. The distinctive style I have developed expresses the atmosphere of Australian flora sympathetically. I like to capture this beauty in a simple, delicate way; my work has quite an ethereal quality to it. I am constantly inspired by nature, particularly Australian native species. This is probably because they are just so different from the flowers and plants you’d find in the UK.

Flowers are my passion, be it their intoxicating scent, the delicacy of a petal or an unforgettable colour. I am in awe of their beauty and the wonders of nature never cease to surprise and delight me. I try to capture the real essence of flowers in my artwork and hope it will create a positive emotional response in your home.

What creative projects are you working on at the moment?
I am currently working on a collection for an upcoming exhibition called ‘Living Textures’ at Brush Farm House, Eastwood in March/April 2021. This is a collaborative exhibition with 10 other artists, featuring work made in response to Brush Farm House and the surrounding environment.

What’s your favourite part of working as an artist/creative?
I absolutely love the creative freedom I have working as an independent artist. I have been able to diversify my work over the past couple of years and am now able to complete large scale artwork for exhibitions and commissions, create smaller collections for artisan markets and local stores who stock my work. Over the past 12 months I have started to run workshops where I teach the cyanotype process to others.

What’s the most challenging part of working as an artist/creative?
Being disciplined, organised and carrying out the ‘business’ side of having an art practice can get pretty challenging at times. You really have to be adaptable and do all the small business tasks, even the ones you don’t enjoy so much. I’m learning that having good systems in place is crucial and I have learnt a lot from online workshops and events. - The City of Ryde has had a lot of free classes that have been invaluable. (Editors note: You can find out more and sign up here!)

One of my goals for the future would be to partner with someone who would run the business side of things so that I could focus solely on the creative side.

We love recommendations! Who are some other local artists we should check out?
I love the work of Melony Smirniotis from Gallery 11:11 Studio and Art Space, North Epping. She hosts exhibitions, art workshops and provides a positive space to learn, teach and create.

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