Lisa Riehl
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I’m definitely loving my new full-time job! 🧑🎨
I’m currently working on this forest painting that I’ll be submitting to the Sooke Fine Art Show, while also getting ready for today’s acrylic painting demo inside my Permission to Play Society membership. We’ll be painting a forest scene there too 💚
Teaching is one of the things that truly lights me up. There’s something so special about watching things suddenly click for someone - when they stop overthinking, loosen up, and start trusting themselves creatively again. Watching people reconnect with their creativity never gets old!
And yes, this painting is upside down! 😄
I often rotate my canvases - as long as they aren’t too huge - because it helps me see the painting differently. When you’ve been staring at something too long, your brain starts filling in gaps and you paint what you “think” should be there, not what’s actually in the reference. Flipping or rotating the canvas helps you notice things you might otherwise miss: composition, balance, awkward shapes, values, movement … It’s one of my favourite tricks for getting out of my own head and seeing the painting with fresh eyes again.
20/05/2026
This is one of my fav beach paintings - so much so that I won’t sell it, it’s hanging on my bedroom wall 😄. I’m in love with the pinks, yellows, purples and blues, such calming colours … “Open Your Heart”, 30x40” oil
This is a beach that is special to me. It’s in Pacific Rim National Park and you can only reach it at super low tide. It’s always deserted, even on the busiest days! I’ve cycled to it many times, usually on days that are too windy to surf. Love this place so much 🩷💛💜💙
I think it would make a fabulous puzzle for the Villager Puzzles contest for women artists in BC, to create a special puzzle for BC Ferries!
08/05/2026
The Hills to Shore Studio Tour is this weekend! I’m getting everything ready today at Location 8, at the home of Janet Anderson (crazy talented floral painter), and we will be waiting for you tomorrow at 11am! So if you are in the Victoria area … you know what to do!
Sat + Sunday, 11-4pm! It’s your chance to see some amazing art from some amazing artists 😃
See the map at www.hillstoshoreartists.ca
03/05/2026
Thank you 🩷 … I stepped into full-time artist life this week and YOU showed up to celebrate with me - by saying “Yes” to YOUR creativity … “Yes” to giving yourself permission to play … “Yes” to picking up a brush and making something just for the joy of it.
How beautiful is that?
Whether you joined the membership, treated yourself to a course, or simply cheered me on from the sidelines - you made this milestone so much sweeter 🥳
Here’s to making wonky, wonderful, messy, magical art together 🎨
