Lisa L. Sears

I swim in the emotionally murky waters of surreal symbolism, layered meaning, and narrative ambiguity. My works explore the emotional terrain of being human: I grapple with the difficulties of true connection, sitting with uncertainty, belonging, transformation, and memory. With narrative figures, symbols, and layered surfaces, my paintings and drawings invite viewers into a conversation rather than a conclusion. I leave room for interpretation, inviting viewers to interact with the work to discover something new.

I create paintings and drawings in water-based media on paper and canvas, and exhibit in the Boston metro area. Working diligently in my art studio, I assign myself challenges like create the ugliest drawing possible (harder than you think), take a banal item and paint its visual story (enlightening!), or produce an abstract artwork totally devoid of meaning (somehow content always emerges!). With each challenge, my greater goal is to communicate stories, to examine emotions, and to encourage viewers to think intuitively. I use dream imagery, symbols and evocative titles to this end.

Formal study: BFA in studio art at the School of Visual Arts, University of North Texas with a minor in English and advanced hours in art history. Additional painting and photography study at the University of Texas and mixed media painting at Art New England through MassArt.

Along with my personal art practice, I am involved in celebrating arts within the community. I have helped to curate and judge non-profit art exhibits including: “Life Lived in Color” through Malden’s Bread of Life;  the 2026, 2025, 2024 and 2023 Student Congressional Art Competition (2023 Congressional Art Competition); and “Renewal” with Creative Malden. I’ve also created public art: https://creativemalden.org/spoke-bylisa-l-sears/ and  https://creativemalden.org/hats-off-to-maldenby-lisa-l-sears/.