lisa Deniz - Blog

"In Honor of Metro Fire"....

4/30/2018

Sacramento Metropolitan
Fire District Headquarters

has a beautiful location at Mather...

and a lobby that just received a signature
welcoming sculpture.

My proposed design combines a Maltese cross, tools of the trade, wrapped by the core values of Sac Metro Fire. Because diamond plate isn't just for fire engines and tool boxes...a mirrored reflection enhanced with LED lighting brings this piece to life.

Hand polished and hand painted pigment dye with clear powder coating creates the surface finish.
Retired axes from two different stations anchors the sculpture.

Thank you to Sac Metro Fire and firefighters everywhere that provide such an amazing service to our communities.

Thank you Brenda and Deputy Chief Shannon for your trust along the journey.

Taking Flight....

3/6/2018

You never know when your life
will come full circle…

when a connection from the past
becomes today’s opportunity
to expand and soar.

Teaming with Toni & Damian Bautista (Bautista Real Estate Group)
whose art interest for their new Grass Valley office reconnected us...a beautiful space to showcase commissioned and available artworks.

With a front row location on W Main St. (Alpha Building in Grass Valley CA),
Bautista has prime visibility, ample natural lighting and a gorgeous backdrop
of historic stone from mining operations in the 1800's.

Designs were inspired by local scenery coupled with a strong business platform. Metal affirmations wrap their space with core values that are at the heart of this powerhouse couple...
Integrity, Passionate, Commitment and Authenticity.

Bautista's mountain logo suspends on a background of historic rock scape.

Two-sided commissioned waterfall sculpture welcomes visitors and adds tranquility to their interiors.

Lastly, a comfy sitting area with front row seating on Main Street provides a
showcasing of rotational artworks that are Available for Purchase.

First in the series,

"Full Circle"
42” diameter, sculpted steel branch
and dancing fused glass butterflies with clear powder coating.

In recognition of these full circle moments when life bridges back on itself
and opportunities take flight.

Bautista Real Estate Group,
located at 204 W Main St #101, Grass Valley, CA

Stop by and say hello to Toni and Damian…

A River Runs thru it....

1/11/2018

Best part of the Open Studio Tour 2017....

Meeting artists and art lovers
from the community...

and meeting an amazing couple
that was willing to think outside the box
and dream big!!

When these two artworks spoke to them at the studio tour, I suggested we schedule a time to bring them to their home and discuss placement options.

Their entry room made the perfect location to showcase both pieces but we agreed we needed a larger statement to bring them together. When given the opportunity to think out loud and bring back my suggestions on placement and design...this is what I presented.

Sculpted metal bands of steel, relief mounted and hand finished to expand the story on the wall, bridging the two pieces together. Polished, pigment dyed and powder coated steel created a beautiful extension of the painting, pouring out onto the wall.

Warm coppers, Caribbean and Cobalt Blues with clear polished steel create a 3D shadowed effect.
The natural lighting and outdoor environment pours into the space.
The sounds of the seasonal creek will be the icing on the cake.

A true collaboration...a dream project!!!
Forever grateful for the opportunity to expand creativity.

'Lisa was a dream to work with. I especially appreciated her easy communication style and artistic intuition. After a few discussions and a mock-up, we arrived at a stunning design. From beginning to end, we thoroughly enjoyed the collaborative process of creating something very special for our home. I was confident throughout the process that we would love the final product -- and we do!"
~Residential Commission, Nevada City, CA

Good Times Ahead....

8/25/2017

With Summer winding down....

I am grateful for all that is...

And all that will be.

Mark your calendars!!!

Starting with the Fall Open Studio Tour of Nevada County!!!

I will be featuring a full range of new works including metal & glass sculpture, encaustics,
oil paintings & jewelry at my downtown Nevada City studio the first 2 weekends of October.

For a map of locations, please visit thecenterforthearts.org

Just Published!!!....

On the cover of Current Magazine...

"Hoyt's Crossing"
Oil Painting
30"X48"

Featured at the Fall Open Studio Tour

Check out this group of artists for your Holiday needs in November....

Join us for the 2nd Annual ArtFusion event, showcasing 18 local artists with a range of mediums
including painting, sculpture, fabrics, clay, glass, jewelry and wood. Nestled under the pines in the airy and beautiful St. Canice Center near SPD in Nevada City.

November 4th & 5th, 2017 from 10-4pm both days.
Fine art and Holiday gifting options available.

You can always find me...

Tues/Thursday mornings 6-7am

The Yoga Dive
206 Sacramento St. Suite 213
Nevada City, CA 95959

www.theyogadive.com

Best way to start the day!!!

Shamanic Journey...

6/13/2017

Teachings that have helped me to

lift the veil...
see with my heart...
and connect to my highest self.

Having just completed this 5 month training...I am pleased to share my first shamanic journey with you in canvas form.

The first of many that will unfold as my shamanic practice continues.

The beating of the drum penetrated the veil and opened the door to my heart. A flowing water of blue and yellow carries with it grief, fear and transition…the cycle of life. A pink flower called me home to Nevada City and home to myself, where eagerness requires deep patience. Green stripes of truth stand strong with confidence, will and direction. Spirit in feather form brings energy to my canvas creations where alone and wholeness reside within, simultaneously. Love is my sword and my guide and a blue flower of all that is unknown smells sweet with layers of possibility.

“Shamanic Journey #1”
Artist Deniz
Oil Painting
30”X40”

"Holly’s Shamanic teachings have strengthened my connection with nature, spirit and animal guides by lifting the veil to see, hear and feel more clearly the messages of my heart. These teachings remind me to keep nature close regardless of my surroundings. To create sacred space in my visual surroundings, within my movements and my actions. The sound of the drum is my invocation to ground, connect and listen as visual information appears as pictures in my mind's eye that extends to canvas. This practice has deepened my awareness of the layers of consciousness and my connection to my spiritual council.

May these teachings bring new awakenings within, that translate to the collective awakenings of all beings.

The shaman within is my teacher with eyes, ears and heart open to the voice and light of spirit…it is here that I meet my highest self and shine most brightly."

For details on Shamanic Teachings visit Holly @ http://www.joyfulwarrior.com/

Please join me in seeing this piece, in addition to other New works!!

This Saturday, June 17th from 11-4pm
Summer Solstice Festival

Hosted by Artist Caren Halvorsen in Fair Oaks, CA
visit www.artgurl.com (blog section for details)

YogArt Experience...

5/2/2017

There is a direct link

between yoga
and the creative spirit.

The two are beautifully interwoven together…as the opening that comes forth from movement and breath allows room for the creative spirit to step forward, take light and to dance.

For me, this is where the imagery unfolds…as my breath softens the mind, and emotions and energies in the body come to the surface and bring with them color, shape and texture.

From this place, YogArt was born.

In September of 2015, after my yoga teacher training, I found an anchor and a calling to share this awareness of integration between yoga and art. I found clarity and desire for establishing a new playground of opportunity by developing a yoga teaching workshop that combines inquiry, meditation and asana with experiential art and creative exploration.

So often I hear, “ I am not creative”.

We are all creative beings.

The YogArt Experience is an invitation for your inner child to come out and play…to find a safe environment to feel, to touch and to explore on the canvas, without judgement.

To invite freedom of expression…where there are no rights or wrongs…where experiential “being” is surrendered to canvas and self healing takes place…right at our fingertips.

It is within this love of sharing the creative spirit
that my call for teaching has taken root.

You will find me at The Yoga Dive offering weekly
Tuesday & Thursday morning classes from 6-7am.

Our mat is a mirror of reflection for our life.

It offers me daily awarenesses that translates to my teachings,
my learnings and my creative expressions.

Join me Saturday, May 27th from 12-6:30pm
@theyogadive, Nevada City CA

http://theyogadive.com/workshops/

Let's Play!!!!

"Holiday Gift Gallery"

11/28/2016

Small Works~Osborn Woods Gallery
November 25 - December 28, 2016
Weekends from 12-5 and Victorian Christmas Wednesdays from 3-7

Osborn Woods Gallery at the Miners Foundry, 325 Spring Street, Nevada City, California 95959

New Works!!
Jewelry Collection~Encaustic paintings~Glass Ornaments
Made by the Heart & Hand
for your Gifting Needs

"William Cummings Monument"

9/22/2016

In recognition of William Cummings...a visionary that devoted his life to the enrichment of the community and development of Folsom.

A collaboration between myself and fellow stone artist, Gene Chapman.

Commissioned by William's beloved wife Claudia Cummings & family.

Donated to the City of Folsom, featured at Cummings Family Park.

Design concept inspired from his contributions and development of the Folsom community.
A two sided 8'X6' stone features Williams' life story on the back as well as 5 metal rings that speak of his philosophy regarding the success and viability of a city....

"if you're not growing, you're dying"

Nestled in river rock, these rings represent wheels of progress, flow of ideas,
symbolize unity, and depict the waterways of this region.

From conceptual design, to fabrication, to installation...

A happy team!!!

A patina treatment kick-started the ever evolving metal components, while the stability of the stone provides an anchor of continuity...the significance of each of these mediums representational by design.

A beautiful ceremony was concluded by the releasing of doves and signaled the unveiling of the artwork.

Thank you Claudia Cummings & family...
I am truly honored to play a part in William's remembrance.

"In Celebration of Galen"

6/28/2016

It is an honor

and a gift

to be asked to create
in memory of a departed love one....

I was given prized fishing lures, treasures and keepsakes.....

And even more personal, a purple velvet satchel that contained the remnants from his cremation...

A titanium femur and knee cap...
that allowed Dr. Galen Martin to continue to live his passion and love his family and friends 10 years after his cancer surgery.

A recently removed chimney stack
from the house that he an his wife Janine had been renovating...

was sculpted to include a cascading bouquet of succulents to accompany the beautiful garden that he so passionately tended and enjoyed.

Quite often, I am called to listen to a particular artist during the creative process...in this case, James Taylor's poetry and voice set the tone on this journey.

The song "Fire & Rain" came thru on Pandora again and again during it's creation...to the point that I began to chuckle knowing that there are no mistakes...Galen was well felt and present on the journey.

I shared this with Janine, who wasn't surprised...near and dear to them both...the lyrics rang true.

A small bell that likely signaled a fish on the line for Galen, dangles from this piece...it chimed continuously as I drove to deliver and install this sculpture, site unseen, in Janine's garden...

again I chuckled and gave thanks....
another cherished moment on the creative journey!

Much love and gratitude to the family...may this bring you joy and continual memories of an amazing man and the many lives he touched.

"Wine Cave"

5/23/2016

When a door opens...

and the reins are loose on creativity....

functionality meets artistic expression
in this wine cave.

A custom wine table and wine rack was requested.
The curved interior was inspiring for overhead sculpted branches of golden leaves, roots to hold wine bottles and a meandering copper river to welcome guests.

Time to get rolling...

Scribed welds and overlapping metal create a bark texture

Once the cages and table top were finalized, tree was colorized and pre-installed...off they go to the beauty parlor for a clear powder coating.

River rocks were loaded into cages and final installation....

Time for some wine bottles...
And some wine!!!