ARTIST STATEMENT
My mixed-media paintings explore how ordinary forms—delicate flowers, the human figure, or a dilapidated building—can symbolize the human journey: enduring hardship, experiencing renewal, and evolving into new versions of ourselves. I aim to highlight the balance between acknowledging life’s tribulations while maintaining hope and optimism.
My process involves repurposing photographs, magazines, patterned papers, and personal ephemera, layering them onto the canvas. Through successive rounds of painting and sanding, I respond intuitively to the emerging forms and textures, allowing each artwork to evolve organically. By revealing the beauty found in weathered surfaces, I infuse my subjects with meaning. This technique allows me not only to capture their present state, but also to reflect the stories they carry.
ARTIST CV
Lisa Ervin (born Madison, Wisconsin)
Currently lives and works in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area
Education
2004: Bachelor of Science in Fine Art & Art History, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
2005: Associate of Applied Science in Fashion Studies, Parsons The New School for Design, New York, NY
Professional Experience
Jul 2023–Present: Designer, Camp David Inc., Overland Park, KS,
Sep 2021–Apr 2023: Designer, Newell Brands, Hoboken, NJ
Aug 2015–Sep 2021: Designer, Lisa Ervin Design LLC, New York, NY
Sep 2013–Jul 2015: Designer, Lydell NYC, New York, NY
Aug 2005 - Aug 2008: Associate Designer, Dollhouse, New York, NY
Feb 2005 - May 2005: Accessories Intern, Oscar de la Renta, New York, NY
Artist Statement
Lisa Ervin is an emerging mixed media painter whose process-driven work explores the themes of transformation and legacy. A graduate of Parsons The New School for Design and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Lisa spent 15 years as a commercial artist and clothing designer in New York City. In 2022, she relocated to Kansas City and began building her portfolio of mixed-media work.
Selected Exhibitions
2023: 43rd Annual Art Westport, Art Westport, Kansas City, MO
2023: InterUrban Art House, Twelve x Twelve, Overland Park, KS
2024: BioKansas Innovation Festival, STEAM Gallery, Overland Park, KS
2025: InterUrban Art House, Her Art/Their Art, Overland Park, KS
2025: InterUrban Art House, Art Heals, Overland Park, KS
2025: InterUrban Art House, Identity, Overland Park, KS
2025: Remodel Moore, Select Works by Lisa Ervin, Kansas City, MO
2026: Prairie Village City Hall, Lisa Ervin & Thomas Arnhold, Prairie Village, KS
2026: Parade of Hearts, The Nelson Atkins: Confluence of Dreams, Kansas City, MO
Collections
Lisa Ervin's work is featured in various private collections across the Midwest.