THEARTOF
Lisa Rachel Horlander
by Jan Statman
Lisa Rachel Horlander always uses both her first and middle names when she introduces herself because both names are special to her. She likes to combine them as if they were one word, one name, and one thought. Using both names reminds her of her childhood, and using them makes her happy. She laughed when she said that most children only hear both their names used when they are in some sort of serious trouble. First name, middle name, followed by, “Don’t you ever dare do that again!” However, she said her family used both names as a sign of endearment. They would say things like, “Lisa Rachel, you are a good girl,” or “Lisa Rachel, you have done well.” When she is painting, the Tyler artist likes to listen to the music of the 90s, which she heard when she was growing up. She finds inspiration from many sources. She enjoys the songs of the Man in Black, Johnny Cash. The creative, young artist also
likes to listen to the music of Eisley, a popular Tyler rock band that features four other creative young Texans. They are siblings Chauntelle, Sherri, Stacy, and Weston DuPree and their cousin Garron DuPree. Although music is important to her, Horlander admits that nature is the greatest motivation for her art. She enjoys painting out of doors. She even enjoys the idea of keeping her studio door open so she can hear the birds sing while she works. “I love savoring the unnoticed parts of life that make up every day,” she said. “I am inspired by the breeze rustling the leaves of a tree or by the way hot concrete smells when the rain hits it.” As a wife and mother, the artist credits her husband Ben and her young son Asher with encouraging what she calls “anything that might be clever” in her art. “I find life is busy when you have a young son and a husband to keep you enjoying life,” she added. “But finding time to make things, to paint things, and to draw things helps me slow everything down.”
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And then there are her cats. “Cats are beautiful animals.” She spoke with enthusiasm and affection, “The cats are all so funny. They do funny things, and they really do want me to paint them.” However, her greatest influences come from what she finds in life in general and in her life experiences in particular. She cannot imagine a time when she did not create art. She cannot imagine any reason why she would not be creating art. “Art is like breathing to me,” she said. “It is absolutely necessary. I have always wanted to communicate with others, and my art is the way I can do it.” She explained that art is important to her because she wants her work to connect with people and to reach them in a visual way. “I focus on creating things that are lovely, and I try to capture lovely memories and emotions by using bright colors,” she said. She is careful to use colors that are both calming and pleasant to look at in order to create a sense of peaceful enjoyment. She said, “I hope to share my art with others, to help them to slow down and enjoy the things we often take for granted.” She wants her paintings to bring a sense of nostalgia and happiness to viewers. She wants her art to say something that is significant. “My paintings have a lot of thought processes and emotions behind them.” She would like to share those personal images. “It is important to me to get what is inside out, to capture a picture of what is inside my mind.” The artist took her first painting classes at Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler, but she admits that she has been busy drawing all her life. Even when she was a young child, drawing was her way of seeing and responding to her surroundings. “I had a very imaginative childhood,” she explained. “I spent most of it making up my own stories and drawing them into being. I find my art still lingers in my madeup stories but also mingles with the memories and favorite moments of my real life experiences.” She studied with Derrick White and Chris Stewart at Tyler Junior College. She was graduated from TJC with an associates degree in fine arts. When she was a student, she helped organize and was the first president of the still active Arts Club. She exhibited her paintings in various art shows during her time in college, but she admits she only recently became interested in seeking out op-
portunities for professional exhibits. She has participated in area art walks in East Texas and in several juried shows. In listing her exhibit experiences, she said, “I have taken part in the “Six by Six” shows in Rochester, New York, for several years, The “Sketchbook Project” a few times, and solo shows at Cafe Tazza, Salon Verve, and Tyler Junior College. I have exhibited with group shows with ArtHash in Dallas and in other East Texas group shows.” Although creating art is still the most important part of her work, exhibiting has become an important part of her life as an artist. She expressed the feelings of many artists when she said, “The saddest thing in the world to me is to see two paintings looking at each other, silent, and not able to say anything to anybody because nobody has bought them and taken them home to enjoy them and to love them. As much as any artist loves the work that is completed, it is exciting and joyful when the work is purchased, and the artist knows it will be going to a good home.” One of her proudest moments happened in 2012 when her painting was chosen for the First Annual Benefit Auction of Original Works by Texas Artists to benefit the Heart Fund of Trinity Mother Frances Foundation, supporting patient care at the Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital. Her inspiration for the work was “Heart and Trees.” She used various layers of color to create depth in order to give the painting a restful, peaceful feeling. She was selected to be “Artist of the Year.” Her painting was used for banners and logos that were seen all across the city. “I was driving along, and suddenly, there it was! My painting was up there on that giant billboard, bigger than life!” she said. “It nearly blew me away to see my painting up there. I was so excited I had to stop the car to pull over and catch my breath. It was wonderful to see it. It was even more wonderful to know that I was able to do something for the community and for the hospital.” To see more of Lisa Rachel’s art, you can go to her Facebook fan page at www.face book.com/artfulsoles. To purchase her art, go to www.etsy.com/shop/ArtfulSoles.
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