About Lisa

While serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali, the only paints available in my remote town were small cans of touch-up car paint, which I used to create my first original works. During rainy season when the roads washed out and I couldn't do my work, I spent many joyous days exploring my art style with these paints. Upon returning to the U.S., I tried other paints (oils, acrylics, watercolors), but didn't like the consistency. I found that enamel craft paint is similar to the car paint and have used it ever since!

Life often takes you on unexpected paths. While working at an international non-profit in D.C., I changed jobs within the organization and was provided with one-day intro classes on Photoshop, Illustrator and PageMaker (the old school InDesign). I absolutely fell in love with these programs and this began my career in marketing & graphic design. Whether working for an employer or freelance clients, I love to create visually beautiful marketing materials and messages. 

In 2005, I did a solo trip to India with two main purposes: to volunteer at an orphanage and to learn about miniature paintings. My first day in Jaipur, I got in a rickshaw and mentioned to the driver that I wanted to learn about miniature paintings. He was thrilled to hear it as he had a cousin who owned an art gallery and his family were painters. I spent several days with them learning about this stunning form of art and even got invited to a family wedding! I was awed by the art and artists in India and strive to incorporate the elements I learned into my painting style.

In 2013, I purchased what most people would have considered a "tear down" house. However, given a tight budget I instead chose to fix it up, doing as much of the work myself as I could. I've become quite handy over the years out of necessity and have learned a lot of great budget renovation tips that I enjoy sharing. DIY home improvement and decorating have become a passion for me and I have enjoyed using my creativity on home projects. I also had a rental condo for 14 years that I renovated and managed, and even did a brief stint as a home stager! 

I have always enjoyed creating artwork for kids and in 2016, I co-founded the Baby Ventures™ book series with my longtime friend and collaborator. We are passionate about creating one-of-a-kind children's board books and artwork that showcase our diverse, wonder-filled world. Serving as co-author and illustrator of the books has allowed me to expand and elevate my illustration skills. I strive to create vibrant designs with themes of adventure, compassion and wonderment that encourage little ones early on to explore all the places, cultures and creatures that make up our amazing world.

Throughout my younger years, much of my creativity was focused on painting fond memories of my travels. In more recent years, my creative energies have gone into DIY home improvement and the Baby Ventures™  book series. Bohemian Creative Lifestyle is the culmination of my artistic endeavors. I hope you'll check out the online shop showcasing my artwork and illustrations on various products as well as the blog for tips, resources and creative inspiration. I look forward to sharing this creativity journey with you!