Adrian Hill Fine Art

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Lisa Graa Jensen RI

Lisa Graa-Jensen is based in Wimbledon, London, UK. She studied at Camberwell School of Art, London and worked as a freelance Illustrator for 3 years for Radio Times, BBC for Schools and various publishing houses. She was nominated for Kate Greenaway award for ‘Gudrun’ (Kestrel Books). There followed opportunities to work for galleries such as CCA galleries Farnham and Bath, Llewellyn Alexander Gallery London SE1 and Red Rag Gallery in the Cotswolds as well as many contributions to the Mall Galleries London SW1 where she was elected to the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours in 1996 and to the Society of Graphic Fine Artists in 2015. 

 

Biography

Lisa Graa Jensen (RI) was born in Copenhagen. She attended the Sir John Cass School of Art in Whitechapel and then trained at Camberwell School of Art from 1975-78 gaining a BA (Hons) in Graphic Design.

After art college Lisa spent time as an Illustrator with B.L. Kearley Limited working for Hamlyn, MacMillan, Marshall Cavendish and the BBC as well as Puffin Books and Camden Graphics. She then took up a roll as an Art Therapist before becoming a freelance Painter and Illustrator of books and cards in 1983.

In 1997 Lisa Graa Jensen was the winner of the RI Kingsmead Award. She also received the Royal Academy of Art, Christmas Design Award (1984, 1985, and 1986) and was runner up Artist of the Year Award 2008. In 1996 she was elected a Member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours. She is also a member of ASGFA (The Society of Graphic Fine Art)

Talking about her art work Lisa says: ‘I am a painter and illustrator of vibrant colourful figurative landscapes ie: undulating countryside, markets, pubs, cafes, French farming scenes and coastal/beach scenes usually featuring dogs and cats and often farm animals such as sheep, donkeys, cows, hens etc..’. Her work is typically colourful and lively and demonstrates a strong sense of observation.

Lisa uses light, fast watercolour and acrylic inks which have good reproduction qualities and designer gouache. She paints on very heavy watercolour paper that doesn’t need stretching. She uses brushes, a sharpened end of paintbrush to scratch out detail, fingers, splatter bristle brush, and salt for colour dispersal. Working on one piece at a time, Lisa works from memory, sketches and photos. The initial idea is very loosely mapped out so that the painting can feel spontaneous, and not like painting by numbers.

Prizes include Dry Red Press award in 2015, Kingsmead award in 1997 and a commendation in 1994. Lisa won prizes in The Artist to of the Year run by Artists and Illustrators magazine in both 2008 and 2018. She was also won the Artist of the year award with Global Artists in 2016.

Available Artworks