A Minute With Lisa Samudio
Hi! This is a newsletter about artists I like.
I began acquiring art through some friends that worked in galleries. I started small, working on a limited budget, for stuff I could afford. As time passed, my collection grew, and it was exciting to watch many of the artists I'd collected go on to bigger shows and critical acclaim. My goal with this newsletter is to make a digestible resource for anyone interested in artists that are making great (and still affordable!) work, whom you haven't heard about... yet.
Our past guest, Jordan Stein, the man/legend that runs Cushion Works posted about a painting for an upcoming show at his gallery and I thought it was cool. I did what I usually do…..annoy Jordan to ask more info on the artist and when the show will be etc. He was kind enough to connect us and let me ask some questions to this wonderful artist. Thank you Lisa and thank you Jordan. The opening reception is tomorrow so anyone in the area, please go. More info HERE.
How is life treating you in Oakland first of all ?
LS: Oakland has been amazing. There’s an abundance of food, art, cultural diversity, and inspiration. I moved here with the intention to be a teacher and live in the same community as the school. It’s nice to be immersed in a community that is so robust and alive but I also see it challenged by gentrification every day.
Change can be hard, especially with being a parent… (I have 2 kids myself and we moved last year). Would you say that making art has helped with the transition? Or is it an added “responsibility” and pressure to know that you have to create more work?
Art has always helped me with transitions. It’s one of the things I can always count on and use as an outlet when I need to visually translate the world around me. I try to get all my daily responsibilities done so I can work on things but sometimes that ends up being late into the night and then I’m too tired and have to be up early the next morning. It can become difficult to keep up with making new work but I think finding a balance and staying inspired encourages me to keep working.
Do you have a routine of sorts to make actual art? As in you set yourself a schedule to create at certain times? I imagine with being a working parent, it can feel hard to get in a headspace to create….
LS: I tend to weave art making and research during the mundane tasks and errands I do throughout the day, so I feel like I’m always working on things. Daily ordinary things become sources of inspiration like books I read to my daughter and cartoons we watch together, looking at the architecture of buildings and homes during drives, seeing all the amazing plants that grow in the bay area, handwritten signage in laundromats and grocery stores, graffiti on walls, ads and coupons I get in the mail, etc.
As an outsider, it sounds really special that you got to work alongside your father. Are there certain skills/applications that you took from that time to the work you are making now?
LS: Yeah it was great working with my dad. He taught me how to sign paint which was something he did while I was growing up so it made it more special. He started to teach me after I graduated from college when I was painting on found objects with house paint and spray paint and sign painting is just the opposite of that haha. He taught me how to take care of brushes and draft patterns and letters. I am still in the process of learning, there’s so much to it. I was always fascinated with text and letters and knew I wanted to learn different techniques that I could use in my paintings and drawings.
For our readers that may not live in a big city, are there any art resources that you recommend reading?
LS: Visiting public libraries is always something I recommend for reading and looking at art books and interviews. Going to any bookstore that is available in your city really and looking at art magazines, or books that you find interesting. Your local newspapers. Gorky’s Granddaughter is a good source for watching artist studio visits.
What are some of your favorite places to go in the Oakland area, could be food, museums, etc.
LS: OMCA is a great museum and perfect for taking kids.
Lake Merritt of course for walks on a nice day or people watching.
Walden Pond Books for a great variety of books to look at and buy.
Taqueria el Paisa in East Oakland for amazing tacos and food.
Hasta Muerte Coffee shop.
Who should we have on next?
LS: Robbie Sugg who is from the bay area and now lives in Albuquerque, NM.
***Follow Lisa on IG HERE.
Linkage Report:
Jordan has linked up with Pre-Echo Press to do a publication on the iconic artist, Miyoko Ito. Im not sure if this will be out in 2023 or 2024 but it will be a must buy. Follow Pre-Echo on IG HERE for more up to date info.
I’m not a Spotify person and would rather take an actual person’s advice on music to listen to than some algo, this isn’t an art rec but my friend Matt, great photographer and drummer in Allah-las, has been making great podcasts with his friends for a long time. I always enjoy the playlists and currently listening to one as I post this. REVERBERATION RADIO. You may like it, or not.
Love this one.
How do you find these artists? Amazing her first show. She teaches gardening in the East bay.