In the last twenty years I have created over 1000 textile paintings.

What is a textile painting? It is an artwork made from fabric constructed by stitching.

Instead of painting with pigments, I paint with fabric.

I explore both abstract compositions and landscapes.  The addition of mark making with paint brings an added dimension and complexity to some of my compositions.

I tend to work in a series, exploring a theme in depth with by following designs from one composition to the next. Expanding and growing ideas, colors, shapes and lines that capture my attention.

Visit the Portfolio to view images of my artwork

Artist Statement

My abstract textile paintings explore memory, movement, possibility and adventure. The inclusion of mark making in my most recent work allows me to explore layering of complex patterns.

I bring along my signature thin lines as I explore my environment in abstracted landscapes.  Having spent most of my time in the American Southwest with big open spaces, the endless horizon line is frequently the subject of my work.

The influence of my extensive background in computer science can also be spotted in my geometric designs.

I am drawn to textiles by the tactile nature of the medium and intrigued by the flexibility of woven fabric in contrast to its underlying rigid grid construction.

My Process

I do all of my stitching on a small domestic sewing machine – the Pfaff 1475, made in 1992.

In the “you can never own too many tools” category I have seven identical machines.

There are four steps involved in making my artwork:

First is the creation of color.  I start with white fabric and using dyes and paints I create my palette of colors, textures and patterns.  This is the fun messy part of my process.  Kind of like finger painting.

The second step involves cutting up my fabric and arranging it into an interesting composition.  After I’ve found a dynamic composition, I stitch the fabric back together.

This is the hardest part. It’s a dance between planning ahead and improvisation – like putting together a puzzle where the pieces are constantly changing size throughout the project.

I LOVE the challenge.

Making marks by painting and stamping is the third process in my studio practice. I use tools mostly associated with sewing (such as empty spools of thread) and a selection of hand carved stamps to make my marks.

In the forth step I create texture across the surface with oodles of thread. It takes hours and hours to add the dense stitching to the work.

This is currently my favorite part of the process.  The soothing repetition of sewing straight lines back and forth.  For hours and hours. Meditation.

Adventure and connection are the underlying themes in all of my artwork – be it abstract, a landscape or about a place.

Embracing the unknown and exploring new possibilities in my work parallels the current adventure in my life.  Moving from Denver, Colorado to New Zealand in the mid 2010s has been nothing short of exciting.

It has also given me a chance to dive deeper into my exploration of connection as I miss my friends and family back home and I build a new community in my new country.

Employing the thin lines that have become a signature of my work, I continue to ponder how disconnection and barriers impact our relationships.

As the center of my art world shifts from the United States to New Zealand, I exhibit and sell my award winning work extensively in both solo and group shows across the globe.

And as always, I fill my free hours with yoga, gardening, cooking, reading, of walking the beautiful beaches and tracks in New Zealand.

PS – You can find information about my art workshops and coaching  on my other website – Make Big Art.

Curriculum Vitae – Summary

Solo Exhibits – Selected / Recent

2018 Black and White, Bluestone Fine Art Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2016   Restructuring: Color and Line, Spark Gallery, CO
2015   Portals: Beginnings and Possibilities, Bluestone Fine Art Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2015   Endless Horizon: 14000 feet to Sea Level, Spark Gallery, CO
2014   Adventure Art, Bluestone Fine Art Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2012   Color and Line, The Art Quilt Gallery, New York, NY
2012   Relationships, Bluestone Fine Art Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Group Exhibits –  Recent

2019   New Zealand Art Show, TSB Arena, Wellington, New Zealand, Juried
2019   Mahara Arts Review, Mahara Gallery, New Zealand, Juried
2019 111 – Group Exhibition, The Incubator, New Zealand
2019   New Zealand Art Show, TSB Arena, Wellington, New Zealand, Juried
2018   Christchurch Art Show, Wigram Air Force Museum, Christchurch, NZ, Juried
2018   New Zealand Art Show, TSB Arena, Wellington, New Zealand, Juried
2017    American Craft Council, Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD, Juried
2017   100 Days, Tutere Gallery, Waikanae Beach, New Zealand
2017   New Zealand Art Show, TSB Arena, Wellington, New Zealand, Juried
2017   Mahara Arts Review, Mahara Gallery, New Zealand, Juried
2017   Christchurch Art Show, Wigram Air Force Museum, Christchurch, NZ, Juried
2017   Art Expo Nelson, Nelson, New Zealand, Juried
2017   Winter and Spring Exhibits, Academy Galleries, Wellington, NZ, Juried
2017   Dunedin Art Show, Edgar Center, Dunedin, New Zealand, Juried
2017   Art Fusions, Carmel College, Auckland, New Zealand, Invitational

Curriculum Vitae –  Complete

A complete CV including my 20 year exhibition history, awards, collections and publications is available in pdf form:  Lisa Call – Curriculum Vitae

I welcome you to stop by my studio on the Kapiti Coast of New Zealand to see where I create and view my textile paintings in person.

Schedule a Studio Visit

Can’t make it to my corner of New Zealand right now?  You can also follow along with my studio progress on instagram:

2023 Exhibitions – Upcoming

Riversdale Arts
50th Annual Mixed Media Exhibition

21 – 30 July,  2023
Riversdale Community Centre
Riversdale, Southland
Riversdale Arts Website

Kapiti Arts Trail

4-5 and 11-12 November,  2023
My Studio in Paraparaumu, New Zealand
Kapiti Arts Trail Website

2023 Exhibitions – Past

Paekakariki Community Trust Art Show

3-5 February 2023
St Peters Hall, Beach Road
Paekakariki, New Zealand

2022 Exhibitions

Parking Drawing Prize

New Zealand’s Premier Drawing Prize – Nominated twice
2 August – 11 September 2022
Academy Galleries, Wellington, New Zealand
Parkin Drawing Prize Website 

Chromatic Offerings

Art in the Park

Changing Threads
National Contemporary Fibre Art Awards

25 March – 23 April 2022
The Refinery Art Space, Nelson, New Zealand
Changing Threads Website 

Auckland Art Show

19-22 May 2022
The Cloud, Auckland, New Zealand
Auckland Art Show Website 

Christchurch Art Show

24-27 June 2022
Te Pae Convention Center, Christchurch, New Zealand
Christchurch Art Show Website 

2021 Exhibitions

Dunedin Art Show

19 – 21 November 2021
Edgar Center, Dunedin, New Zealand
Dunedin Art Show Website 

Auckland Art Show

16-19 December 2021
The Cloud, Auckland, New Zealand
Auckland Art Show Website 

New Zealand Art Show

3-6 June 2021
TSB Arena, Wellington, New Zealand
NZ Art Show Website

Paekakariki Community Trust Art Show

24-26 April 2021
St Peters Hall, Beach Road
Paekakariki, New Zealand

Virtual Exhibitions

Making Marks: from black and white to color

online
Explore Exhibition

2020 Exhibitions

Dunedin Art Show

19 – 22 November,  2020
Edgar Center, Dunedin, New Zealand
Dunedin Art Show Website 

Kapiti Arts Trail

7-8 and 14-15 November,  2020
My Studio in Paraparaumu, New Zealand
(assuming we remain in lockdown level 2 or lower)
Kapiti Arts Trail Website

Auckland Art Show

17 – 20 September,  2020
The Cloud, Auckland, New Zealand
Moving online due to Covid
Auckland Art Show Website 

New Zealand Art Show

29 May – 1 June,  2020
TSB Arena, Wellington, New Zealand
Now online through the end of the year.
see my artwork in the show here  

2019 Exhibitions

111 – Annual Group Show

30 November – 21 December, 2019

The Incubator
The Historic Village
17th Avenue
Tauranga South, New Zealand

learn more

Mahara Arts Review

2 November – 8 December, 2019

Mahara Gallery
20 Mahara Place
Waikanae, New Zealand

learn more

New Zealand Art Show

31 May – 3 June,  2019
TSB Arena, Wellington, New Zealand
learn more  

Galleries

You can also find my textile paintings year round at these fine art galleries:

Soeur Design Art – Christchurch and Martinborough

4 Kitchener Street
Station House, Martinborough
New Zealand

gallery website

Bluestone Fine Art Gallery – now closed

142 N 2nd St
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
United States

gallery website

Interested in purchasing a textile painting?

Please contact me to discuss the purchase of my larger artwork so we can discuss shipping options.

You can also find some of my smaller works in my online shop.

Explore online shop

You can also visit one of my galleries or exhibitions to purchase my work in person.

Not seeing exactly what you want?

Each year I accept a limited number of commissioned projects that are in the style of my existing work.

If you would like to discuss a possible commission, please email me and we can discuss the suitability of this option for your needs and additional terms.

Lisa Call

Kapiti Coast, Wellington
New Zealand

Questions, comments, purchase inquiries? Please email

lisa@lisacall.com

or phone

+64 27-371-8926 – New Zealand
+1 303-910-1569 – United States (text only or leave a message)

or connect with me on social media

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