Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Stauffer.
Hi Lisa, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I always loved to draw. I ended up with the Masters in Design from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and taught at the university as a graduate student. I worked as a professional for many years, always painting for my own enjoyment whenever I could find the time. In middle age I thought- what am I waiting for?- I’ve always wanted to paint and I decided to get serious. I found pastels and I have been painting with them ever since. I love the wilderness too, so combining painting with being outdoors was a great fit for me. I can be found painting outside in Duluth, Grand Marais, elsewhere in Minnesota, and all around the world! I teach painting workshops and compete in plein air painting competitions.
I was awarded Eminent Pastelist status by the International Association of Pastel Societies (2023) and achieved Master Circle status (2009.) I was juried in to the Pastel Society Of America and awarded Signature status in 2012 and Master status in 2025. My award-winning paintings have been shown at the Butler Institute of American Art, Minnesota Marine Art Museum, Duluth Art Institute, and have been featured in articles in PleinAir Magazine, Pastel Journal, Stephen Doherty’s book, The Art Of Plein Air Painting and in two PBS specials on painting.
My website gives more information on events, workshops, galleries and more-
lisastauffer.com
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It takes a lot of hard work and practice to hone a new skill. It involves learning and changing, improving on what you’re able to accomplish in that arena. I was fortunate to find great instructors when I decided to dive in to painting, some who became mentors and helped me on my path of learning to paint. I work to pass that gift of knowledge on to my students. As well as an acquired skill, painting, all art, is a fascinating mental challenge. Pursuing new concepts and ways of painting can keep us on our toes as long as we live.
I have two brothers, who are also self-employed artists, actor and musician, and we joke about how our job is finding work! The business side of needing to find a way to earn a living has become harder in the last many years but as committed artists we find a way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I paint primarily in pastel, and I have found my way into the plein air painting world as I also love being outdoors. I strive to capture the mood of the day and place in my paintings and hope that the viewer can transport to that location and enjoy it as I did while painting it. I think that all the arts are how we communicate with other humans across time and space, and Art holds a very valuable spot in our lives.
I believe valuing the arts adds greatly to our quality of life. I hope to capture the beauty I see all around us and share that joy with others through my paintings. In competitions I am known for ethereal landscapes capturing the beauty of place and for painting buildings and scenes of local color with bold abstract design supporting the work.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I also paint in watercolor, am happy to paint pet portraits and was a professional dog trainer in the past. I am a bit of a foodie and have also been known to refer to myself as a bit of a “chef snob”.
Pricing:
- Paintings vary from $195 to $795 for many Plein air sizes up to 12×16” and continue up from there
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lisastauffer.com
- Instagram: @lisakstauffer
- Facebook: Lisa K Stauffer
