july | artist...

Lisa Rego

Q & A with Scott Hill

You definitely have been educated in the arts with almost 20 years of education. Most of which was in the UK. When you came back to Bermuda in 2001, Masterworks Gallery awarded you the artist in Residence

Elaborate on your experience working at the gallery.

It was a wonderful opportunity given to me by Tom Butterfield to have both living and studio accommodation provided for 3 months, allowing me time to create works inspired by Bermuda. I spent a lot of time researching ideas inspired by my new surroundings and found the studio accommodation very inspiring indeed for painting. The work was part of a 3-year project culminating in an exhibit with both Masterworks and the main gallery at the Bermuda Society of Arts.

What is it like owning your gallery in the Dockyard Mall?

I am glad to have been able to return to Dockyard again as an artist showcasing my collection in a historic location. I enjoy meeting both locals and visitors in my gallery and am greatly encouraged by their positive response to my broad subject matter and vibrant use of colour. My artwork depicts Bermuda’s natural beauty, stunning architecture and also its children in both soft pastels and oils. I am glad to share my joy of returning home with my visitors and find my diverse subject matter strikes a chord with clients looking for distinctive art of Bermuda. I am regularly on-site to give my insights into my work and to sign high-quality prints and limited editions. I have a small sample of originals by myself and highly accomplished Bermuda based artists to give a range of options. The locals constantly share with me I have captured the ‘real Bermuda’!

Do you have a mentor that has inspired you to becoming an artist?

I responded well to any lessons taught in both drawing and painting by family members. Reading the letters of Vincent Van Gogh written to his brother Theo also found a place in my heart since I have always seen my work as an artist more of a vocation- almost as if it were chosen for me. At art school fellow artists, with varying strengths in art, also inspired me. We learnt a lot from one another – like the Impressionists in Paris! </p>
<p> The building that now houses what we are now familiarly calling KAF, is a building that exudes creativity. It is an old building that has the patina that goes with such a structure. The director has appropriately kept much of the wear marks that reveals something of its history. This encourages creativity, for these old marks provide an atmosphere of friendliness; where it is perfectly alright to make a mistake, spill paint or drop scrap cuttings on the floor. Of course all is cleaned up afterwards, nevertheless, it is user friendly. Check it out.Biennial since its beginning and then, within the last few days, having reviewed all the catalogues from about 1996, I concur with that opinion, for this Biennial reflects the local art scene, which is increasingly diverse, exploratory, experimental and involved with social and political issues. Bermuda’s artists are increasingly art school trained and engaged with contemporary technological developments. This years Biennial is a ‘must see’ show, for any one interested in current Bermuda culture.

When you get a commission, does this in any way close the door on creativity? Do you prefer a commission or do you prefer to create what’s in your mind?

I have completed at least 10-15 commissions for both individuals and companies, some of which I have reproduced in my gallery. It is a sensible option for an artist, particularly in low season. In the earlier stages of my career I created a lot of oil commissions of people and private homes, which I have less time to undertake at present. This is more necessary in the low season, but I am quite selective because of the growing interest in my ‘free’ originals. I hope to spend increasing amounts of time of these free works as my career develops.

Is there a favorite painting or a piece that really represents who Lisa is?

Without a doubt…yes! My favorite subject matter depicts children in front