Meet Lisa Kaw | Artist + Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lisa Kaw and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Compared to other creatives, I got into art later in life. It wasn’t until my late 20s that I picked up a paintbrush. At that time, I was living in Boston and had recently left my job as a speech language pathologist. I was burnt out and needed some time to just be me. I traveled a lot, and I felt inspiration wherever I went- the colors, the culture, and all of earth’s natural wonders. I dabbled in painting as a hobby, but it wasn’t until a few years later, when I moved to south Florida, that my art career took off! I started painting bright, colorful creations that matched my new sunshiny lifestyle. I felt a powerful connection to art that I had never felt before. But creating became much more than a form of expression as I faced debilitating anxiety and an eventual diagnosis of OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder). The canvas became and continues to be a place of respite, a place where the world is quiet, and all I feel is joy. It’s a sanctuary where I have been able to harness my obsessive energy and transform it into a thing of beauty.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is designed to feel like 100% pure sunshine! It’s a bright light in an otherwise dull world. It’s an oasis from chaos and darkness and an elixir for negativity. Through my art, I aim to inspire positivity and remind people to see all the beauty in the world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love all of south Florida, but I have a real sweet spot for West Palm Beach. I’ve lived downtown for 6 years now and am always finding new things to do. The area has grown so much recently, with hotels, shops, and restaurants opening up all the time. Rosemary Square is my go-to for a little retail therapy. I always stop at Anthropology and Urban Outfitters followed by locally owned The Garden Shoppe and an afternoon treat at Sloan’s Ice Cream. Getting dressed up for dinner is always fun, and there are so many chic spots to dine downtown! My favorites are Treehouse, Galley, Elisabetta’s, and The Ben. Treehouse, located atop the Canopy Hotel, is the perfect place to catch the sunset, with its awe-inspiring vistas of downtown West Palm Beach and Palm Beach island.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Huge shoutout to Juliana Roslin, a true “ARTrepreneur!” Juliana and I have collaborated on endless creative projects: gallery exhibitions, art installations, art direction, art licensing, and community outreach. Juliana is an innovative thinker who is always excited about her next creative endeavor. … and that gets me excited too! Our latest project is a brand new Lisa Kaw art print collection. Manufactured and sold through Juliana’s company Ready2HangArt, the collection really takes art prints to the next level. The 12-piece collection titled “Boho Greco” will be available soon in a variety of canvas sizes and with the option of adding customized floater frames. “Boho Greco” is my most sophisticated collection yet, and I’m so in love with its uniquely distinctive bohemian Mediterranean vibe!

Instagram: lisakaw