Lisa Tornatore | Artist

EXPLORATIONS OF THE HEART

If you find yourself drawn to art that you relate to or feel emotionally, than you are in the right place. My mission is to help heal and nourish feelings, through empathy and compassion. This is especially apparent in my heart print series of work. Each heart print signifies an emotion I have been through or a client has been through. I welcome you to take a look around, experience my art, share your feelings and engage with me! Visit my Blog, Instagram, or Facebook Page for info about my art and upcoming shows or events!

Mowgli-Monoprint-SOLD!

I donated a Monoprint of Mowgli, my rescue pup, to the  Art Unleashed Auction and it SOLD! That money was donated to the Chicago Canine Rescue!
Mowgli is very close to my heart. Below is the print of him and his story! 

TITLE: Mowgli MEDIA: Monoprint SIZE: 11X14

TITLE: Mowgli MEDIA: Monoprint SIZE: 11X14

Mowgli’s Story

We adopted Mowgli in March 2014. He was one of two in his litter with the blue merle coloring and a tail. All the rest were black and white border collie looking pups with bobbed tails like the Australian Shepherd they were mixed with. I wanted to get Anna, a fuzzy black sister to Mowgli, but she didn’t have a full tail, so I wasn’t sure. I have always loved to see a happy tail wagging. My husband was sure that Adam(Mowgli) was the right one for us. The minute they put him in my arms at 10 weeks old, I fell in love with him. We adopted him right away from the Midwest Animal Rescue.

One week later he caught parvo, a virus that can sometimes kill young pups, and we were faced with a tough decision, but we loved him so much, and it was just the start of his life, we had to try to save him. We caught it early. Thousands of dollars and weeks later Mowgli was declared healthy and able to come home to his family. I did this monoprint of him off of one of the few pictures I had of him before he went into the hospital. I missed him so much while he was sick. I worried about him and even went to visit him in seclusion, just to see him through the glass. He was and is the light of our lives!

Now we go everywhere with him. We teach him new tricks all the time! He learns so fast. Only yesterday he learned to bring us the newspaper from outside. He also helps out in the kitchen by closing cabinet doors and drawers. We are teaching him to dance and he can even count to 4!

 

May 2 Artists’ League Pop-Up Show and Sale

Saturday is The Buffalo Grove Artists’ League Pop-Up Show and Sale, from 6:00 to 8:30 pm in the theater lobby of Stevenson High School. Artwork available will include paintings, prints, photography, jewelry, wooden items, and hand-lettered items. I hope to see you all there supporting us local artists!

1 Stevenson Dr, Lincolnshire, IL 60069

https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloGroveArtists/posts/872027496186817?fref=nf

After the Exhibit THANKS!

The Polish Arts Club show included lots of good artwork! They had a really nice ceremony and gave roses to all the participants! Also at the museum they had on display lots of Polish Historical art and memorabilia. It was really interesting to see since I am half Polish and there is so much about my Polish heritage that I do not know.  In fact, just yesterday my Aunt told me they have photos of my great grandfather at that very Polish Museum!

On display at the museum is both versions of Listen to My Heart and Continents Apart, but Always in My Heart. The later is the first time it has been on display. That picture has been like my baby for the last few years since the start of my master plate, which is what is on display. The reason for it taking so long is because I am working on a color version of it with 6 wooden plates and one zinc plate. It was very slow at first, but I am on my second to last plate. So I only need to do one more run on the press with my zinc plate to finish my edition of 30. Which is by the way one of the largest editions I have done! 

If you are in the area, check out the show! It is open until May 5! 
Polish Museum of America
984 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL
 

Polish Arts Club of Chicago 79th Annual Exhibition

Join me for the Polish Arts Club of Chicago’s 79th Annual Exhibition of Painting and Sculpture on April 26 – May 9, 2015!

I am showing my heart series of images. I will be showing both versions of my Listen to your Heart prints as well as unveiling some new heart prints I have been working on. Some of you may already know, but my heart series of images, is an ongoing journey of learning for me. I hope you can come and participate my journey!

The exhibit will include a variety of artists from all over the world that work primarily in painting and sculpture, and of course printmaking!

The Opening Reception is on April 26, 2015, 1-4 pm
Awards Ceremony 2 pm
Admission $5.00

Polish Museum of America
984 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, Illinois

Something About The Color Red Exhibition

Just a Thank You to all those who came out for the exhibition. I exhibited my Listen to your Heart print. Below is a bit about what inspired this print. 

This print was inspired by own spiritual journey. As many of you know, I am very interested in the heart and how emotions are always felt strongest as if coming from the heart. During my journey, I have done some extensive research on the heart and found that the heart has the largest magnetic field than any other part of the body including the brain. I learned that feelings we feel in our heart can actually effect the this large energy field around us resulting in external energy changes as well. It makes sense, in the case of coming into contact with another person and being able to feel or sense how that person is feeling, happy, sad, etc. This picture represents the communication between our brain and our heart, and my own journey to learn to listen to that communication and be conscience of it. Remembering that I choose what I feel and therefore can change how I feel, resulting in changes around me as well. 

2/6/2015 Art Show

I will be exhibiting 2 prints. The gold version of Partly Cloudy with a Chance of Raining Fish and my Self Portrait.Join me & the Buffalo Grove Artists’ League at:
Indian Trails Public Library, 355 Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling, IL.
Reception: Friday, February 6, 7-8:30 pm
If want to see the show, but missed the reception, it will be on display until February 26.

There are many artists exhibiting a wide array of art, jewelry, and other media. Drop by and enjoy the show!

01/14 Exhibitions

I just wanted to thank everyone who came out for my shows! I really appreciate your support! The shows included many talented artists! If you are in the area, stop by and see them.

Proof for Purchase
Show runs through February 26, 2014.
Noyes Cultural Arts Center, second floor gallery hallway, 927 Noyes Street Evanston IL.

Listen to Your Heart

EAC Biennial Student Exhibition
Show runs through February 16, 2014.
Evanston Art Center-2603 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL

My Husband & I with a chine-colé version of Listen to Your Heart

My Husband & I with a chine-colé version of Listen to Your Heart

Old Plate Gets New Colors

I did this plate way back when I was in college, but only printed it in black. It was created as an abstract after working on a project about ostriches, hence the long bird and neck-like portions of the picture and then the legs turned in reflections of music in the water. I felt like it was such a great image, that I wanted to try experimenting with color on it and create a new edition of it. Here it is with a sunset of colors! Enjoy!

untitled

Exhibition October 2012

People, Places, Things – Art Exhibit

Hi! Check out one of my latest art works. It is called Companionship. Actually, it is of my parents sitting at the bar, but when I look at it, it reminds me of those really old couples who have been married for like 50 years and they know each other so well, that they just enjoy each others company and don’t need to talk.

The picture is a collagraph, which means it is both a layered on to the plate and dug into the plate technique. I did this one on just a piece of solid cardboard and printed it on the press.

If you didn’t get to stop by for the opening, you can still see all the great work by visiting the space during the month of October on Fridays from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm and on Saturdays from noon to 6 pm.

Petroff Photography Studio
17 N. Elizabeth St.
Chicago, IL 60645

Companionship

18x18 inch linoprint

Join me for a printmaking exhibition! My "Partly Cloudy with a Chance of Raining Fish" print will be on display. Stop by and check it out! The show opens on July 15, 2012 at Noyes Art Center in Evanston, Illinois. The opening will be on Sunday, July 15 at 3:00 - 5:00pm. The show will be up until August 15, 2012. City of Evanston Noyes Cultural Arts Center 927 Noyes Street Evanston, IL 60201

Gallery Hours: Mon-Sun 10 am - 6 pm

Transportation and Parking Noyes (Purple Line) Foster (Purple Line) Central-purple (Purple Line) Parking: Street or Private Lot - metered, so bring your quarters!

Noyes Art Center Blog

18x18 linoprint

Well, I am working on framing my infamous print called "Partly Cloudy with a Chance of Raining Fish."  It will be in an upcoming show at the Noyes Art Center in Evanston, IL. More details coming soon!

18x18 inch linoprint

This print is exhibiting at the Evanston Art Center in March. Please stop by to see it if you are around!I used a technique I have never tried before on this print. I took a linoleum plate and cut it into pieces, inked the pieces and and put them back together on the press and printed them before printing my master plate on top. I also used some gold metallic ink for the sun rays that looks really good. It turned out beautifully! I am still cleaning it up a bit and adding a few more highlights here and there.  Enjoy!

18x18 inch plate on gold paper

Here it is on gold speckled paper. It really pops and looks amazing! The picture just does not do it justice. I am thinking of calling it "partly cloudy with a chance of raining fish" but   I think that might be a little long. Post suggestions if you have any! I am working on some color plates for this as well!

If you are interested in buying a Lisa original not on my website yet or in the Shop, or have any inquiries , Please Contact me at lmetornatore@gmail.com.

I ship to continental U.S. addresses by USPS within 2 weeks of receipt of payment. Costs are dependant upon size, weight, shipping materials, and method. If you are not in the continental U.S. please contact me and we may be able to make some shipping arrangements.

Personal checks must clear before purchased items will be shipped. I accept only U.S. Dollars as currency.

All sales are final if the art work is not returned within 15 calendar days of receipt. Buyer must pay return shipping costs that include a receipt of confirmation with tracking number. Item must be received in the condition in which it was received by the buyer.

All artwork is signed. Please note that colors in some of the digital images may not match the colors of the original artwork.  All prints are made from plates made and printed by hand, resulting in slight differences in each print within all editions. Most measurements are given to the nearest inch.

Photography by Nancy Strahinic.

All reproduction and licensing rights to the artwork and images of artwork are reserved by Lisa Tornatore.