Daily Inspiration: Meet Lisa Harris

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Harris

Hi Lisa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I became a full-time hospital pharmacist, with a large art hobby. Now that my 5 children are adults, and I am doing pharmacy, part time, I have more time to work on art. I have a side hustle-Triangle Face Painting. I graduated from an online face painting school. I also have been completing an online art mastery program, Milan Art Institute. My work has improved, dramatically, with those programs. I am currently building my portfolio, and regularly sell my paintings. I face paint at A Verde restaurant, in Cary every Thursday night from 5-9 pm, kids ages 10 and under eat for 99 cents, and have a great time getting painted faces (or hands/arms).

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a huge struggle, other than the fact that I am an introvert, and I am out painting in public. I do love to interact with children, though. They are so honest and excited to be there. I learn a lot from them.
I have had personal struggles, though. We adopted 3 kids from Ukraine in 2010, and, WOW! That has been just all-consuming, wild & wooly. My oldest daughter became estranged from our entire family 6 years ago, and I lost my mom last year. So, loss and grief have definitely effected my artistic spirit.
I do suffer from imposter syndrome, as many artists do. I have to keep telling myself that my art is my therapy, and I am not doing it for praise or accolades. But, I do want to sell my art, and want it to bring people joy.
One other challenge has been carving out the time for art. I have worked as a full time hospital pharmacist since 1998. I graduated from an online face painting school in 2019, and am currently working on an online fine art program, Milan Art Institute.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I make a lot of children happy with face painting. That is very important to me. I try to involve them in their design. They make really interesting choices, and I tell them what good choices they have made, and thank them for their creative ideas.
I paint canvases, wood panels, even signs (face in the hole signs). I have sold several commissioned works from family pets to other family members, even some gaming character art. I do love to paint funky retro things, weird things, animals, and strong women. I am so proud to be a strong woman, and to support all the local strong women in Raleigh.
Am I different from the other painters and face painters? Of course. We are all very different, and that is what makes us a beautiful woven fabric that wraps around Raleigh.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love Raleigh. I love to find all the great food places, and see all the local art. It is a very diverse and rich culture of artisans. Really the best place for an artist to live.
The high prices of the homes here in Raleigh is a barrier to new residents, young home buyers, and older buyers. There are a lot of hard-working folks who want to live near to their place of work or near their families, but have to seek shelter in surrounding cities, in order to afford a decent place to live.

Pricing:

• $125/hour face painting
• 12 x 12 acrylic paintings are usually $300
• 5×7 acrylics or oils are usually $75
• 4×4 paintings are $35

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/trianglefacepainting
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/lisaharrisfacepainting
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@harri194