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About Me!

Thank you for stopping by and looking at my website!

 

I have been creating art my whole life.  I could entertain myself for hours as a child making my own paper dolls and geography puzzles. Hence, I know where all the states are.

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Early on, I was an Air Force brat until my family settled in my father's hometown of Buffalo, New York.  I call that my home.(Go Bills!) even though I now live in Virginia and have been for a long time.

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I went away to college to study English and Art Studio with a concentration in drawing. I never was sure what to do with my art when I graduated.  I did not have a lot of confidence in my skills and I always felt like there was so much. more that I needed to learn before I could share my art with others.

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After working many different corporate jobs and having a baby, I came back to art.  Creating art was missing in my life and I badly needed it!  I decided to try a new medium so I started taking acrylic painting lessons from James Warwick Jones, a well-known artist in Virginia.  I really learned a lot from him and took classes with him until I had the confidence to trust my own instincts with painting.

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I started to incorporate my love of nature into my art work and expanded my skill set to include mixed media pieces.  Mixed media is great because it includes my hobby of searching for just the right materials from antique stores and places that sell vintage books.  The hunt is part of the fun!  I also am constantly learning when I create a mixed media piece which makes it exciting to be an artist. 

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I'm an avid hiker who has hiked about 200 miles of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia. Hiking out in the wilderness is the one thing that keeps me from ruminating so I do it often.  Some of my best stories have happened when I was hiking and a lot of my paintings are inspired by things that I have seen on my hikes.

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I believe in 2nd/3rd/4th chances because I was given one not so long ago.  I try to live my live with integrity, intention and loyalty.  I have immense gratitude for the life I have and the people that are in my circle. 

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I drink way too much coffee throughout my day.  Podcasts and throwback music are usually playing in the background.  I love classical music particularly Chopin.  My favorite visual artists are many.  

 

I am an licensed art teacher in Virginia for grades PreK-12,  I also an a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT). 

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I'm a romantic.  I am a dreamer.  I refuse to apologize for being both.

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Oh, and the art?  I am inspired every day about the things I see. I have done it all-florals, nature, architectural landmarks and people.  I still get excited painting new subjects after all this time.  I love teaching others what I have learned.  I love the excitement that art can bring to a room of children.

 

 I love that the artwork I put my heart and soul into connects with others.  It is the best feeling.

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I am proud to share my art with you and I look forward to hearing from you soon!

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Professional History

Exhibitions

2021

  • ThinkSmall 11, ArtSpace, Richmond, VA.

2019

  • "Art in the Garden", Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond, VA.

2017

  • "Pocahontas Imagined",  Jamestown Settlement Special Exhibition,  Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, VA.

2016

  • Tidewater Artist Alliance Juried Exhibition-“Open Horizons”, Charles H. Taylor Arts Center, Hampton, VA.

  • The Nansemond-Suffolk Academy Art Show, Suffolk, VA.

  • “Salvaged for A Purpose”, Members Show, On the Hill Gallery, Yorktown, VA.  Honorable Mention.

  • Small Works Invitational by Hampton Roads Artists, Charles H. Taylor Arts Center, Hampton, VA.

2015

  • Tidewater Artist Alliance Annual Juried Members’ Show-“Open Windows”, Suffolk Cultural Arts Center, Suffolk, VA

  • Hall of Arts XV, Hampton Roads Convention Center, Hampton, VA.

  • 2nd Annual Art on the River, Yorktown, VA.

  • Visiting Artist, New Town Art Gallery, Williamsburg, VA.

  • The Living River Art Show, Elizabeth River Project, Norfolk, VA.

  • Small Works Invitational by Hampton Roads Artists, Charles H. Taylor Arts Center, Hampton, VA.

2014

  • Small Works-Invitational by Hampton Roads Artists, Charles H. Taylor Arts Center, Hampton, VA

2011

  • 48th Annual Art on the Square, Williamsburg, VA

  • Solo Exhibition, James City County Complex, Williamsburg, VA.

  • Gosport Arts Festival, Portsmouth, VA.

  • Art on the Half Shell, Urbanna, VA

  • Hampton Arts League Open Members Exhibition, Charles H. Taylor Arts Center, Hampton, VA, Honorable Mention.

  • Dogwood Arts Festival, Knoxville, TN.

  • “Interpretations of Nature” by Hazel Camp & Lisa Wiertel, Gallery on the York, Yorktown, VA.

2010

  • Lynchburg Arts Festival, Lynchburg, VA.

  • Stockley Gardens Fall Art Festival, Norfolk, VA

  • 47th Annual Art on the Square, Williamsburg, VA.

  • Small Works Invitational, Charles H. Taylor Arts Center, Hampton, VA.

2009

  • Annual Miniature Show, Gallery on the York, Yorktown, VA, Honorable Mention.

  • Members Show, Gallery on the York, Yorktown, VA.

  • 46th Annual Art on the Square, Williamsburg, VA.

  • Juried Historic Triangle Show, Gallery on the York, Yorktown, VA.

2008

  • Suffolk Art League Annual Juried Exhibition, Suffolk, VA.

  • Small Works-Invitational by Hampton Roads Artists, Charles H. Taylor Arts Center, Hampton, VA.

  • 20th Annual Animals in Art Exhibition, Louisiana University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA.

  • Annual Miniature Show, Gallery on the York, Yorktown, VA, Award of Merit.

  • April All-Media Juried Show, Artworks, Richmond, VA.

  • Juried Historic Triangle Show, Gallery on the York, Yorktown, VA, Honorable Mention.

  • Virginia 2008 Regional Artists Show, Charles H. Taylor Arts Center, Hampton, VA.

2007

  • Impressions of Jamestown, This Century Art Gallery, Williamsburg, VA, 3rd place.

  • The New World:  A Tidewater Artists Association Juried Exhibition, Charles H. Taylor Arts Center, Hampton, VA.

  • Virginia 2007 Regional Artists Show, Charles H. Taylor Arts Center, Hampton, VA.

2006

  • 6th Annual Juried Exhibit: “True” sponsored by the Trinity Presbyterian Church, d’Art Center, Norfolk, VA.

  • Tidewater Artists Association Juried Exhibition-“Flying High”, Charles H. Taylor Arts Center, Hampton, VA.

  • 16th Mid-Atlantic Arts Exhibition-“Open to All Media 2006”, d’Art Center, Norfolk, VA.

  • Local Artists Exhibition, Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts, Fredericksburg, VA.

  • 24th Annual Bay Days Juried Art Exhibition, Charles H. Taylor Arts Center, Hampton, VA.

  • An Occasion for the Arts, Williamsburg, VA.

2005

  • Spring National Juried Exhibition, Impact Artist’s Gallery, Buffalo, NY.

  • Fall National Juried Exhibition, Impact Artist’s Gallery, Buffalo, NY.

 

AWARDS

  • April 2006-1st Place Winner, Gloucester Daffodil Festival Poster Contest, Gloucester, VA

  • October 2007-1st Place Winner, Phoebus Days Poster Contest, Hampton, VA

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

  • Gloucester-Mathews Gazette-Journal, 3/20/06, Section C.  (Color Reproduction, “Daffodil Dance”)

  • Virginia Gazette, 8/11/07, 8C. (B/w reproduction, “Arrival No. 2”)

  • Williamsburg  Next Door Neighbors Magazine, November 2010, (“Lisa Wiertel Paints in a Big Way”)

 

EDUCATION

  • Bachelor of Arts, State University of New York at Geneseo, New York.  Major:  Art Studio and English.

  • Master of Education, Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA.  Endorsement Area:  Visual Arts PreK-12.

  • Virginia State Licensed Teacher endorsed in Visual Arts(PreK-12).

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"I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees."

Henry David Thoreau

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