…for those of you so painfully bored you want to read my life history

About the Artist

How I Got Started With Art

To understand how I ended up here we have to go back to tiny me. Yes, at one time I was even shorter than I am now! I know I know, it’s hard to believe!

As a kid, I was always sick. Seriously, ALWAYS sick! We weren’t aware that I had celiac disease so my immune system was very very bad. We’re talking strep throat, scarlet fever, and mono all at the same time bad. Actually, I suspect that awesome Christmas of 1994  is what triggered my fibromyalgia. The point is, being sick so often translated to being indoors drawing and coloring a lot. I was no child art prodigy, but I did spend enough time drawing that by the time I was in my teens I was above average in my drawing skills.  At the time I was obsessed with orcas. I drew them non-stop. In ballpoint pen on my homework (if I was going to be terrible at math, I might as well pretty up the paper!), and in charcoal over watercolor. I didn’t have the funds to purchase more art supplies, so these kept me busy.

I didn’t jump into college like many of my friends did after high school. I didn’t feel well enough to both work part-time and go to school. One afternoon I was walking around Laguna Beach CA with a friend and we came across this gazebo filled with a woman’s dolphin paintings. Her perspective was completely off on all of them. What was even more shocking to me is that she had price tags in the thousands. My thought was “Wait! Mine are better than this! I can make a living drawing whales like I love!!” Go ahead and laugh, I now realize that is SO not how the art world works. I don’t regret my naivety though because it sent me on this path.

I was no child art prodigy, but I did spend enough time drawing that by the time I was in my teens I was above average in my drawing skills. The idea that you’re born with talent and either “have it or you don’t” has always irritated me. I improved because I practiced. A lot! 

My goal on this angle was to create a realistic portrait. The problem was I couldn’t draw or paint people to save my own life! That tiny fact did not make me quit trying to paint realistic portraits. Instead, it made me practice even more! None of us start out terribly good, it’s a process that requires a lot of practice. Don’t give up before you hit that end goal!

I taught myself to paint through trial and error. LOTS of error. Like most artists, I started by displaying my work in local coffee shops and a small gallery (Angel’s Galleria which was located in the Pomona Arts Colony, Pomona CA) within a couple of years. I was working full time at animal hospitals at this point. One day on the way home from working a vaccine clinic, I needed to pick up a frame for a painting that I was delivering to the art gallery that night. Not paying attention (as usual),  I drove right past Aaron Brothers where I normally purchased my frames. Looking for the nearest alternative I landed in Michaels in LaVerne Ca. They had a sign looking for art teachers. This is where I started teaching my own art classes in 1999.

All of these chance happenings somehow lead to me living my dream. There was so little planning involved that it took me longer to get here than it should have, but now I get to share what I’ve learned over the years with other artists who are walking that same path! These days spend my time creating my own paintings and drawings and  making videos teaching and inspiring other artists through my 4 weekly videos on youtube and my weekly tutorials on Patreon.

Learning what I did through trial and error, I have a slightly different view on art. For me, art has never been about some elitist idea of the “right” way to create. Instead, I see the value in art for art’s sake.

There are just SO many out there who feel that they have the right to others how art should be created, that the tools they use, the methods they use or the style they enjoy working in is wrong. I’ve seen so many artists discouraged and give up altogether on art because of the absolute ridiculous crap that comes out of some people’s mouths.  There is a special place in hell for someone who causes another to give up something they enjoy over their own personal hangups and misconceptions of what they think art should be.

Art can be just about anything you can imagine or enjoy creating!! I don’t care about what process, tools or technique someone uses to create something beautiful! It’s the end result that matters to me.

For me, art has never been about some elitist idea of the “right” way to create. Instead, I see the value in art for art’s sake.

Life Outside of Art

When I’m not painting or editing videos…or napping, I’m usually taking care of my critters. I share my home with a husband of 21 years,  two greyhounds, two reef tanks (one display, one quarantine tank), Multiple vivariums for my red-eyed tree frogs, leucomela dart frogs, Santa Isabel dart frogs (which are normally heard in my livestreams), Two jumping spiders, a cockatiel (Chicken), a parrotlet, and an Indian Ringneck. My house is not quiet. I also obsessively collect plants. If I have any free time after all that I play the violin.

Be My Buddy on MeWe

It’s like Facebook without the algorithms. You actually get to see everything your friends post, plus no advertisements and they don’t violate your privacy!!

Join our Art Group

Share your own paintings or get advice on your work from fellow artists!

Join Here

Be My Personal Friend

See photos of my Red Eyed Tree Frogs, Dart Frogs, Reef Tank, Greyhounds etc.

Friend Me Here

Follow My Art Page

See what I’m currently working on, new paintings for sale, new videos, and news!

Follow Me Here

Resume

 Lisa Clough “Lachri” Artist, Violinist

Resume: Lisa Clough “Lachri” Artist, Violinist

  • Currently sponsored by Fredrix Artist Canvas
  • Created the artwork for the new Derwent Inktense boxes sold in art supply stores worldwide.
  • over 310,000 YouTube subscribers
  • Awarded Instructor of the Year by readers of the Colored Pencil Magazine for the 2020 Annual Colored Pencil Awards
  • Awarded Website of the Year, Instructor of the Year, & Best YouTube Channel of the Year  by readers of the Colored Pencil Magazine for the 2019 Annual Colored Pencil Awards

Publications

  • January 2019 1st annual colored pencil awards article in the Colored Pencil Magazine
  • August 2016 article about in the Colored Pencil Magazine
  • July 2015 Featured artist in the Colored Pencil Magazine
  • June 2015 article in Ann Kullburg’s Color magazine
  • Promotional poster for “The Hero Chronicles” by author Tim Mettey
  • Featured in the June 2014 issue of Colored Pencil Magazine
  • Book Cover art for God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense by Ronnie Daniels, 2011
  • CD Cover art for Dallas Band Giant of the Mountain
  • CD “Awake with Angels EP” by Christian Ross, Dallas Tx

Selected Group Exhibitions

  • 2013-present Art in the Atrium, Frisco, Tx
  • 2012 Red, The Gallery 8680, Frisco, TX
  • 2011 Baylor Hospital staff event, Frisco, Tx
  • 2004 Inland Empire Artists association annual show, Upland, CA
  • 2004 Yorba Linda Art Festival, Yorba Linda, CA
  • 2003 Inland Empire Artists Association Annual Show, Upland, CA
  • 2003 Yorba Linda Art Festival, Yorba Linda, CA
  • 2002 Ontario Art show, Ontario Ca
  • 2002 Catalina Island Art Festival, Catalina, CA
  • 2001 Catalina Island Art Festival, Catalina, CA *award received at this show
  • 2000 Rancho Cucamonga Music and Art Festival, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
  • 1999-2001 Monthly Art walk at the Pomona Arts Colony, Pomona, CA
  • 1999 Angels Galleria, Pomona Arts Colony, Pomona, CA

    Collections

    • City of Frisco, Tx
    • Baylor Hospital, Plano Tx
    • Paw Print’s Pet Hospital, Frisco Tx
    • Works held in private collections in Canada, The United States, The United Kingdom, Japan, Finland, Norway, Netherlands, and Australia.

    Teaching

    • Presently teaching painting and drawing tutorials through youtube and Patreon.
    • 2008-2016 Painting and Drawing group classes out of Hobby Lobby in Frisco, Tx
    • 2010-2012 Teaching painting classes to groups of 20-40 at Lets Art Party in Plano, Tx
    • 1999-2008 Painting and Drawing group classes out of Michaels Art and Craft stores in LaVerne CA, and Rancho Cucamonga CA

    Address

    PO Box 78   120 STANLEY DR, Aubrey TX 76227