Field-Study-I12Pa2 by Lisa Flowers Ross
Field-Study-I9HC1 by Lisa Flowers Ross
Field-Study-W2BC2 by Lisa Flowers Ross
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
Nature is the dominate feature in Field Studies: Interpreting the West. The series is inspired by Ross’s travels throughout the Western United States, including Zion National Park and the coastal waters of California. Ross draws our eyes to the unique geological features, changing landscape colors, and expansive skies using warm orange, red, and burgundy colors. The viewer enjoys a feast of color and specialized design that deepen our experience and appreciation of the unique landscape. Ross focuses on locations that are undisturbed by humans, hoping that the viewer is reminded of the beauty and importance of nature and will be encouraged to safeguard our wonderful national parks, wildlife preserves, and natural areas whose protections are in jeopardy.
“Field Studies features a series of textile artworks inspired by specific locations in the West,” says Ross. “Noticing unique geological features, particular landscape colors and expansive skies in various locations throughout the western states, I piece together colorful images of places I have visited using varying degrees of abstraction. Oranges, reds, and burgundy colors span artworks inspired by places such as Zion National Park and the Grand Canyon. Blues and greens depict coastal waters. Added stitching creates texture and depth that juxtaposes the strong flat color and shapes in the work, as well as enhances the tactile nature of the piece.
“Nature is the dominate feature in the Field Studies series and shows the variety of color and geological elements the western states hold. There are no man made structures depicted in the work. I wanted to focus on those places that are undisturbed by humans, to remind the viewer of the beauty and importance of nature and encourage them to want to preserve our wonderful national parks, wildlife preserves, and natural areas whose protections are currently in question. Nature is very important to our well being.
“The beauty of nature and surrounding environments inspire me with a calm, joyful feeling that I aim to translate into my work and pass onto the viewer. I do not want to improve on nature or represent it realistically, but find its underlying elements and present it in a unique way.”
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Boise, Idaho, artist Lisa Flowers Ross creates colorful, contemporary abstract artworks using fabric that she hand-dyes. She creates her palette mixing only red, yellow, and blue dyes using a low water immersion technique. In her studio, she pieces together colorful two-dimensional works and then adds stitching to create texture. Nature and daily observation are her main inspirations which often are transformed into simple shapes with an emphasis on line, color, and composition.
Her artwork has been exhibited in solo, group, and juried exhibitions, nationally and internationally. Ross has created public artworks for the cities of Boise, Meridian, Eagle, and Ketchum, Idaho, as well as Hillsboro, Oregon. Her art is included in private, as well as public collections. She has completed artist residencies in several states and has been the recipient of grants from the Idaho Commission on the Arts and from the Alexa Rose Foundation.
Previously, Ross worked part-time as a curatorial assistant at the Boise Art Museum for over 20 years and was a volunteer art teacher for her daughter’s elementary class for seven years. In addition, she has curated several exhibitions and is now an independent contractor for exhibition installations.
Ross holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art (Drawing), as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Business. She is a juried artist member of the professional groups including Boise Open Studio Collective Organization and Studio Art Quilt Associates in which she also serves on the exhibition committee. She teaches workshops in her home and at other locations, likes to practice yoga, hike nature trails, nordic ski in the winter, play Pickleball, and commute on her ebike.
EXHIBITION GALLERY
