Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Botto-Lee.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Born and raised in Northern New Jersey, I am the fifth generation from a family of artists which traces back to mural painters in Northern Italy. I have always known I wanted to be an artist. That was never a question. As a little girl, I was drawn to my father’s studio and was captivated by watching him paint and draw. Both my Father (Richard A. Botto, an equine painter of champions) and my Mother (Meg Botto an art teacher and floral watercolorist) were my first art teachers. Our home always had a creative atmosphere and art students of all ages were always walking through the front door. I am very grateful and blessed to have the good fortune of being born into this family.
Outside of school, I went to every art class I could find to concentrate on traditional painting and drawing from life. From the time I was 14 until I graduated high school, I spent my summers studying portrait painting and figure drawing at The Reilly League of Artists in White Plains under Cesar Borgia. Cesar and my parents studied with Frank J. Reilly at the Arts Student League and they taught me the “Reilly method.” I subsequently had the wonderful opportunity to study with Paul Burns, Basil Baylin, Arthur Maynard and Ferdinard Pietrie at The Ridgewood Institute of Art. I went on to Parsons School of Design in NYC to study graphic design which led me to a long career in illustration and publishing. I eventually worked my way to become a creative art director for entertainment magazines in the North East and also taught design and Illustration at William Paterson College.
As a portrait artist by nature but not limited to, my subject matter also includes figurative, land/seascapes and animals. I consider myself a contemporary realist and I work in charcoal, pencil and oil paint. I love the nostalgic look of black & whites for my drawings and oil for my paintings. To capture a feeling, evoke an emotion, tell a story and create something from nothing is what drives me as an artist. Moments are fleeting and when I see something beautiful, unusual, or interesting, I want to tell that story. My mind is constantly working and my eyes are always framing out my next piece.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Art imitates life. It is through our trials and tribulations that we grow as people and as artists. With the loss of my husband at a young age and the responsibilities of raising two young children on my own, my easel and brushes lay dormant as almost a metaphor for the emptiness that existed at that time in my life. Life moves forward and while the pain evolves it never truly goes away. It was my desire to find my inner peace and get back to what I love to do that pulled me from the depths of sadness into a place where I always found an honest voice, my art. Because of my own losses, I love to bring some sense of peace to those who have lost a loved one. Whether it’s someone’s parent, a young fallen police officer or a senseless young victim of a school shooting, my art can freeze a special moment of happiness in time for them. In 2017, my drawing “Memories of a Big Man” captured a feeling between two amazing friends (Bruce Springsteen and Clarence Clemons) and in my depiction Bruce is recalling great times while the big man was still laughing with him, but from the other side. The original sold to an avid Bruce Springsteen collector and a giclée was signed by Bruce and auctioned off at Tribeca Grill in NYC to help raise money for Bruce’s best friend and agent’s daughter’s benefit, Kristen Ann Carr who was taken too soon from cancer.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Lisa Botto Lee – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
A few awards and honors for 2018 include a recent commission from the CEO and owner of Azamara Cruise Line to paint the Godmother’s Chief Revenue Officer of AFAR Media, Ellen Asmodeo-Giglio and Editor-In-Chief of Travel Weekly UK Lucy Huxley to Christen their third ship, The Pursuit launched August 28th, 2018. The painting hangs prominently on the fifth deck in Azamara’s permanent collection so the Godmothers will keep a watchful eye and safe travel wishes for all that sail on The Pursuit.
Currently, I am a finalist for “A Wrinkle In Time” at the 105th Annual Allied Artists of America Juried Exhibition on 5th Avenue at the prestigious Salmagundi Club in NYC. The reception is open to the public and held on September 16th from 1-5pm.
In the summer of 2018, I was a finalist at the Annual Salmagundi Club Open Exhibition, NYC and received an award of excellence for Her Story Online Juried Exhibition for Manhattan Arts International. In the spring I was a finalist at the 11th Biennial National Juried Art Exhibition held at the historic Punta Gorda Visual Art Center in Florida. In January, I was a finalist at the Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club Juried Exhibition held at the National Arts Club in Gramercy Park NYC. Catherine Lorillard Wolfe (1828-1887) was a prominent New York philanthropist and art collector, and the only woman among the 106 founders of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. She started her art club in 1896 to provide exhibition opportunities to women in the arts.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Our future course is often charted by current events and I feel it’s important to stay on top of what is relevant especially in the art world. I enjoy both the challenge and comradery of national and international competitions as it allows artists to reach to a higher levels and hone our skills. On a constant quest to push new boundaries, my work is ever evolving and I am enjoying the process of becoming more narrative and exploring new areas with my oils. I welcome you to visit my website and follow me on social media.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lisabottolee.com
- Email: Lisal@lisabottolee.com
- Instagram: Lisa Botto Lee
- Facebook: Lisa Botto Lee
- Twitter: Lisa Botto Lee @lblartist
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
