Liza Lacroix is a Brooklyn-based artist from Montreal whose art is now exhibiting on Buy Some Damn Art. Her paintings are lush tempestuous explorations of gesture and abstraction and remind me of one of my favorite artists, Gustav Klimt, and his protégé Egon Schiele.
KATE: There is so much drama and emotion in your artwork despite the fact that it is abstract. Where does that energy come from and how do you express it so well in your paintings?
LIZA: I’ve always been attracted to works of art that have a dramatic and intense energy. I’m also a very dramatic and emotional person in general in my daily life so I guess that just translates naturally into the paintings.
KATE: These paintings, especially Untitled 8, 9, and 10, remind me of Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt. There are hints of a body, a head, a dress or a hat, but the rest is obscured by dramatic, ethereal detail. Have you noticed the similarity?
LIZA: Yes, definitely! I’m a big fan of Egon Schiele especially the way he manipulates paint. I also love how Klimt simplifies certain areas into large shapes filled with pattern. I’m interested in abstracting the figure to a certain point where you’re no longer really able to see a full figure but still completely feel it’s presence.
KATE: Your earlier works clearly evolved from traditional portraiture. How has your art progressed to this current state of abstraction and expressionism.
LIZA: I’ve recently been working on two separate series. Large paintings on canvas that lend themselves more to the traditional practice of portraiture since they have dark gradient backgrounds, and the ones here are a result of working on paper and much smaller dimensions. Naturally the work became more abstract because of the material and size limitations. I’m a strong believer in not forcing or battling with paint to much. Accidents are always very welcomed.
KATE: Making art can be very solitary and elusive. How do you stay motivated when things are slow?
LIZA: I’m really competitive. I try to attend a lot of art openings which usually gives me a kick in the butt to get back to the studio and work harder.
KATE: What is the most exciting thing in your art practice (or life) right now?
LIZA: I’m getting ready to go on a trip to Trinidad this winter with my partner and back to Europe for a big trip in the spring.
