Lisanne Haack is an emerging Brazilian artist known for her mesmerizing abstract compositions that evoke a profound sense of emotion. With her brushstrokes and color palettes, she creates captivating visual narratives that speak directly to the soul. I couldn't help but wonder what had initially drawn her to the world of abstract art and what continues to fuel her passion to this day. In the captivating interview that follows, immerse yourself in the remarkable story of Lisanne Haack.
the beginning of the journey
Q: What initially drew you to your chosen medium or art form, and what keeps you engaged and inspired to continue creating?
A: As a teenager I was always fascinated by everything created digitally, being it art, design, architecture, whatever comes to mind. I never took it so seriously in the abstract branch though. I tried for many years to draw and paint realistic landscapes still life. It frustrated me more than what I was looking to achieve with it. I started with acryl years ago and found the pleasure on mixing and combining paint, the kind of meditation that makes you immerse in feelings I couldn't put out in other ways before. From that on I kept looking for more techniques, learning from my favorite artists, color composition and the best part: smudging paint, a lot. The hardest part for me is to accept that the inspiration is not always there, sometimes it may take even months, I can't force it, but when it comes, I need to give everything to it. Nowadays I respect the time needed and use, whenever I am not "actively" creating, the chance to focus on other things aside from painting. By cooking, reading, going on a new trip, doing something different in your town, a show, a movie, we are naïve to think that we aren't constantly getting inspired by our surroundings, it's the way you let it sunk in that changes your art after it.
the inspiration
Q: Can you describe your creative process? How do you generate ideas, and how do you bring them to life in your work?
A: I may have mentioned many times but the reality is that I create in the most expressive way possible. I normally do start with some color composition and sketches, they paintings in comparison never ever turn out how I began with them. It is a constant battle of movement, chaos and balance. I do not like linear or "squared" forms so I try to keep it as organic as possible. Right now focusing on a more "floral" theme, the first time that I entered a figurative style. It's all about exploring what works in relation to what and how you wanna show.
Q: Many artists have a particular theme or message that they explore through their art. What central themes or ideas do you find yourself consistently drawn to, and why?
A: I constantly work with how the colors mix together on a canvas and not before. What works and what doesn't. For many years I have been "smudging" paint around, playing with the color compositions and forms. Right now I feel I entered a more thematic and figurative style. Still with strong chaotic brush strokes, but in this paintings, the viewer can indeed "see" something, it isn't entirely an open perspective. I like to explore this kind of communication with the viewer, being it through the strong oil paint smell, or the bright strong brush strokes and glitches on a digital painting, I may want to tell you something but its up to you what you will get from it. I may create the paintings but they are nothing without people seeing them.
finding middle ground
Q: How do you navigate the balance between staying true to your artistic vision and meeting the expectations or demands of the audience or art market?
A: There are many opinions about it out there but I strongly believe if you want to be taken seriously as an artist, treat is as a serious profession, and with that, comes dealing with the demand and rules from the artistic world. Everyone wants to keep their artistic freedom which I am all about and we as artists should. I don't think you should change your style to please the demand out there or create a type of work for it to sell. Stay true to yourself. What you can do is understand the market and when to show the world your creations. There is a timing for everything, what may not be working now could work in the near future. Experiment, you will encounter lots of failure but with time you will get a feeling of how (and when) to present you art.
Q: Artistic expression can be deeply personal and introspective. How do you handle vulnerability and emotional exposure in your work, and how does it affect you as an artist?
A: I give everything I have and feel into my paintings. I am not one to share much about what kind of feelings are involved in it though. As mentioned before, my art focus on my artistic expression but most importantly as a conversation to the viewer. I don't dictate what you should see (sometimes the figurative forms may show you something superficial but you are still in control to what that means to you, and only you). David Lynch once said in an interview when asked to explain some of his movies something like "Everything I wanted to show you is in the movie, not less, not more". And I like to use that on my art too.
the influence
Q: Are there any artists or art movements that have had a significant influence on your style or approach? How have they inspired and shaped your artistic journey?
A: I can't let the abstract expressionistic movement out of course and also even if I don't paint in that style, the surrealism movement always inspired me not only by their art, but their way of living. But what inspires me the most nowadays are contemporary artists shaping their own movement influenced by the, I will call it, "masters". How we are currently shaping a whole new journey, dismantling old habits and transforming into whole new ideas. Exciting times for sure.
Q: Collaboration can be a powerful force in art. Have you ever collaborated with other artists or professionals from different disciplines? If so, what was the experience like, and how did it impact your work?
A: I did and it can have their ups and downs. I would say it is extremely interesting as a challenge to know how to respect the other artist space. When to acknowledge that it is a merge of styles or an overlap of it. I learned so much working with other artists and their unique techniques, some even inspired me to try it in my own way and use in my future works. Some were also so challenging because of the different mediums but still, I do love a challenge. Artists should take every opportunity to step out of the comfort zone, you can come back to yours after if you like, but the experience of going through it you can carry forever in your journey.
the experience with Exchange Art
Q: Could you describe how your involvement with Exchange Art, has impacted your life as an artist?
A: Immensely. After starting on Solana end of 2021 and beginning of 2022 on Exchange, their support has been a key factor to the career I've been able to build in the space. How the artists perspective always comes first and constantly trying to give everyone the best experience when purchasing art. I feel honored to be sharing a journey with amazing artists and collectors in there.
thoughts to the future
Q: Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and goals as an artist? How do you envision your artistic practice evolving in the future?
A: My focus will always lay on the artistic expression, using every tool possible to put on a canvas, being it digital or physical, what I can't describe in words. As a next step I do want to grow more on the traditional market with the physical paintings, what has been my plan from day one in web3, merging the best from both worlds. Exhibitions, galleries, group shows, representation, courses, everything that involves art, I am in. I want to keep exploring styles, techniques, getting inspired by other artists, fail many times also. Even having some years now on my back in this artistic scene, I still feel very fresh and in the discovery mode. I will work hard to one day find a continuous theme that I want to bring until the last day I live, what it will be? I for now have no clue. The unknown is exciting, and being open to whatever may come is an act of art itself.
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