Fine artist Lisa Solberg is the epitome of a free spirit. She lives her life very much from moment to moment, appreciating all life has to offer. She works mostly on large-scale paintings and murals but incorporates drawing or painting into her life on a daily basis, changing her style as she sees fit. Hailing from Chicago and the middle child of five, she now resides in the “emerging” part of downtown Los Angeles. Optimistic, expressionistic, and always a positive life force, we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Lisa to the Element Eden Advocate family.

Tell us a little bit about your childhood and your travels.
I was born in Chicago, Illionois, and I have two other sisters and brothers — I’m in the middle. It was always really important for my family to be traveling, but for any trip, we’d have to earn ten times our age. So when I was eleven, I’d have to earn 110 dollars to put toward our ski trip. My family also moved to Southern Germany when I was ten, and we traveled all around Europe. Ever since then, I try to make it back to Europe once a year. I went to college in Boulder, Colorado and also lived in Aspen. During those four years, I spent six months in Australia, too. I love Australia! I lived in Chicago after that, just to try it out for my family, but it wasn’t right for me, my art, et cetera. That’s what spurred me to travel around Southeast Asia for four months by myself. I go back to Indonesia every year, too! Now I live in LA and I love it! Downtown is super inspiring, and never safe! My next trip is hopefully Africa or Japan.

You’ve had one career already as a professional free skier—tell us a little about it. Did it add to your career as an artist?
Well, I was making a little money and living the dream! I got injured pretty much every week, but it was all worth it. No regrets, right!? I competed in the “slopestyle” discipline, and it was easy to get recognition in the beginning as a girl, because there were hardly any other girls doing it. I used to be a gymnast, and I like flying through the air, so it was a good fit for me. I ended up traveling around a ton competing and meeting lots of amazing people. My ski career has totally influenced my art now. I like to think of myself as somewhat of an action painter, like Jackson Pollock. And the ski industry taught me how important personal style is in everything— from what you do and say to how you present yourself.

What do you love about living in LA?
I love downtown LA, because it is the antithesis of the LA that everyone knows and loathes. Downtown is like another world — super up and coming. I feel like I’m living in a Renaissance and that I am a big part of this movement. There are so many interesting people downtown, and no one judges or cares about what the person next to them is doing. Ever since I moved here I’ve been ultra inspired — I’ll find myself suddenly having to sleep for two days straight because of how creatively drained and exhausted I am. And I mean that in a good way.
Downtown LA is like a mini NYC. Hopefully more and more cool people move into the lofts around me!

What are some of the main inspirations for your painting?
I’m inspired by everything — by the world. Traveling, people, animals, Southeast Asia, water, Africa, urban life, things that aren’t safe, anything super raw, and fresh air! I think it’s really important to never close up, to always be up for anything, and to experience everything that you can. As far as other artists, I am heavily inspired by the way Jean-Michel Basquiat worked so prolifically with such limited thinking. He painted based on instinct. I’m also heavily influenced by beat writing, and in respect to dedication and commitment, I’m influenced by artists like Michelangelo. In respect to color, I’m inspired by artists like Van Gogh and Gaugain. For movement, Picasso and Pollock. So I’m really all over the place! I love to expose myself to as much as possible and take bits and pieces that fit me.

Recently, your style of work has changed. How has it changed, and why?
I decided that I want everything in my life to be black and white for a while. For some reason, when I look on a blank canvas right now, I only see black and white—it’s crazy. I decided to only wear black and white, too. It’s my cleansing — I’m cleaning my palette. I’m sure I’ll go crazy with color again soon, but working in black and white really makes my mind feel peaceful. I’m building a Japanese garden inside myself, just so I can always go back to this place in my future. My work is also becoming very abstract, expressive, and very active. I close my eyes a lot and just paint that way. Totally raw and unrefined.

What are some of your goals for your work in the future?
I see my work staying large and scale and getting more expressionistic in time. But then again, I have no idea where my work is heading, because I have no idea what experiences are going to grace my life in the future!

Lisa’s new work

Why did you decide to sign on as an Element Eden Advocate, and what are some of the benefits that could or will come out of that relationship?
I want to become a beacon for Element — like a light or a fire. And I look forward to building a relationship that benefits everyone! I hope that I can pioneer into some new directions for Element, and I really want to work with Element Asia and Element Europe. I hope to just be exposed to new opportunities that I’d have otherwise not encounter.

Is there anything else you want to tell aspiring artists and girls out there?
I guess I’d say that you should always stick with it — stay true to yourself and your dreams. Never give up, and never surrender to an easier path. March to your own drummer, even if there’s no one else with you. Anything is possible!