Hello my artist family!
I am so excited for you to meet one of our wonderful artists, Lisa Townsend from Federal Way, Washington. Lisa's creative journey is one of those beautiful reminders that the love of making art never really leaves us—it simply waits for the perfect moment to bloom again.
Lisa's story began when she was just 12 years old. A neighbor left a business card at her family's door, and before she knew it, her mom had signed her up for oil painting lessons—for just 50 cents a class back in 1966! I absolutely love that. It proves that sometimes the smallest opportunities can lead to a lifetime of creativity.
Even as a young artist, Lisa was sharing her talents. She gave a painting demonstration to her seventh-grade class, created treasured paintings for her family, and filled her world with handmade gifts. From shadow boxes filled with wildflowers she gathered with her parents to macramé, crocheting, needlepoint, scrapbooking before it was even a thing, and even sharing homegrown vegetables, jams, and elk jerky as Christmas gifts, Lisa has always found joy in creating with her hands. I don't know about you, but I think "creative" might actually be her middle name.
Like many of us, life brought new seasons, and art took a back seat for a while. But after a work injury, something wonderful happened. Lisa came across one of my videos on social media. The first time she thought, "Maybe someday." Then, about a year later, she saw another video and decided it was time.
On August 20, 2023, she joined us for Water Lilies with Creatures, and by September 16th, she had completed her very first Dabble painting. She was amazed by how easy it was to follow the lessons step by step—and she was hooked. Today, Lisa is putting the finishing touches on her 88th painting. That is such an incredible accomplishment and such a wonderful example of what happens when we simply keep showing up with a willing heart.
When I asked Lisa what inspires her creativity, her answer touched my heart.
She said she's inspired by love, people, places, and life itself. Every beautiful experience she's had becomes fuel for her next painting. Her greatest hope is that every piece she creates will make someone smile, touch their heart, or inspire them in some way. Isn't that what art is all about?
One of the paintings Lisa chose to share is her breathtaking 48" x 30" autumn landscape that hangs above her fireplace.
She says when she looks at it, she feels as though she could step right into that peaceful October scene and enjoy the colors and quiet surroundings. When I first read that, I smiled because that's exactly what great art does—it invites us into a moment we never want to leave. You can almost imagine taking a slow walk through those autumn trees and breathing in the crisp fall air.
She also shared another deeply meaningful favorite—a painting of Boysen Reservoir near Wyoming's Wind River Canyon. It was her very first painting completed entirely on her own from a friend's reference photo, without following one of my lessons. Even more special, it reminds her of her husband fishing there during the years they made Wyoming their home while raising their family. Those are the paintings that become true treasures because they hold memories as beautifully as they hold color.
When Lisa described what she loves about DabblePaints™, I couldn't help but smile.
She shared:
"I know Jen and Matt put their heart and soul into Dabble Paints. They are amazing, so smooth, creamy, fast-drying and the vibrant colors all come together to create beautiful memories as we use them to create our love we put onto the canvas. I love the layering ability, simple water cleanup and incredible flexibility."
Reading those words means more than I can say. Matt and I truly do pour our hearts into everything we create, so hearing that our paints have become part of Lisa's artistic journey is incredibly special.
When it comes to painting itself, Lisa says it brings her peace. It's her place to relax, escape into creativity, and simply enjoy the process. I love that because I truly believe painting isn't only about what ends up on the canvas—it's about how it makes us feel while we're creating. That peaceful feeling is one of the greatest gifts art can give us.
Before we finished chatting, I asked Lisa what advice she'd give someone just beginning their own painting journey.
She said:
"Relax and enjoy your time painting. If you have doubts, just step back and look at what you are creating. Give yourself a moment to clear your mind and jump back into your vision and your creativity. You can always change what you don't like, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Jen, Matt, the crew, and the artists in this community support you 100%."
I absolutely love that advice. Art isn't about perfection—it's about giving yourself permission to create, learn, and keep going. Every painting teaches us something new, and every brushstroke brings us one step closer to discovering our own unique style.
Lisa, thank you for sharing your incredible story, your beautiful artwork, and your generous heart with all of us. Your lifelong love of creating, your perseverance, and your willingness to keep learning are such an inspiration to our artist family. Congratulations on nearly 90 paintings. I can't wait to see what you create next.
Keep creating, keep shining, and keep bringing more beauty into the world.
XO,
Jen
