Meet Lisa Jacobs handler

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Jacobs handler.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
For the better part of 20 years I have been a part of the Phoenix art community. I graduated from NAU with a BFA and a BS in Art Education in 2001. As soon as I moved back to my hometown of Phoenix, I began making and selling my own art and handmade goods, I also became a strong arts advocate.

I co-owned several gallery spaces, curated shows, organized arts and crafts events, hosted a weekly art night, volunteered for local arts organizations and supported as many other artists as I could along the way. Plus, I teach public school art full time. About 5 years ago I took a break from all that I was doing to refocus my artistic energy and start a family.

My previous art focus was on functional art. I would sew clothing and accessories and print t-shirts and make simple jewelry. I did this for over a decade. After taking a break I realized I wanted to make art for art’s sake and put my energy into creative processes and artistic problem solving that would lead to a finer art approach rather than trying to make things production style that would be wearable and easy to sell at events. I had gotten away from the part of art that I always loved which is experimentation, material exploration, problem solving, visual communication and personal growth through creative meditation. With this realization in mind I set some goals and began taking classes and consuming as much information as I could related to fiber arts and textile design.

Please tell us about your art.
I currently make fiber arts and textiles for home decor and personal adornment. I employ a variety of textile techniques including weaving, embroidery, crochet, felting, contemporary basketry, surface design and hand dying. Using a mixed media approach, I am inspired by the results of manipulating color and texture through process and experimentation. All the processes that I am interested are slow and time consuming, detail oriented, sometimes unpredictable, but always rewarding. I am focused on naturally occurring patterns and colors. The intersection of science and art inspires me and tells a story in and of itself and then I layer my own ideas within to tell a story of my own.

I utilize natural fibers such as wool, silk, cotton, and bamboo as they each have their own reaction to dye and mordant and therefore a unique interaction with each other. I practice resist techniques such as Shibori before applying the dye to the fibers to manipulate the results. I prefer to use natural dye substances such as Indigo, walnut husks, avocado skins, and other natural colorants. I then work with the fabric, thread, yarn, etc. that I dyed myself to create decorative wall-hangings, small sculptures, installations and occasionally functional objects such as handbags and jewelry. When I make jewelry I also use wire, beads and found objects along with the fibers to create my wearable art.

As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
Success as an artist depends on an individual’s goal or purpose for making art. At a certain point an artist has to decide if they are making art for personal expression, to communicate a message, for financial gain, or for celebrity and fame. Once a person realizes their purpose they can tailor their work and their means of showing and sharing their work to meet their personal definition of success. This is a conversation I have had with many artist friends over the years. It is a truly complex inner struggle for many artists. Generally, artists are not good at the business side of sales and marketing but rely on financial gain or name recognition to feel successful. I have come to realize that my most important quality for success is personal expression and growth and when my work is recognized and sold I take joy in that as well!

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My artwork can be seen monthly during the First Friday Art walk at the Lodge Art Studio on Grand Avenue where I am a resident artist. I also exhibit at various shows and galleries throughout the year. My next exhibition will be at Trans Am Cafe on Grand Avenue for the month of November. People can support my work and see my process and well as finished products by following my Instagram account @retromodehandmade and in my etsy shop at Etsy.com/shop/RetromodeHandmade.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 623 221 6729
• Email: retromodehandmade@gmail.com
• Instagram: retromodehandmade
• Facebook: retromodehandmade
• Other: etsy/shop/retromodehandmade

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.