Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Bailey.
Nationally awarded professional artist Lisa Grunewald Bailey is a current resident and art instructor in Franklin, MA. Originally from Grosse Point, Michigan; she holds a BA in Art and Interior Design from Adrian College, Adrian, MI. Lisa moved to Franklin, MA in 1999 and launched her own business ‘Developing Artists’; to teach drawing and painting to children and adult. Lisa maintains a busy schedule participating in juried shows as well as solo and group exhibits at various businesses and museums. She has received numerous awards and her work can be found in both individual and corporate collections throughout the United States.
Her journey as an artist started at the young age of nine years old by taking drawing classes.
By age twelve her involvement in art took her to oil painting classes; and by high school Lisa was participating in a co-op at a department store working in the display department creating handmade signs. Lisa went on to College and completed several commission works, working for a variety of clients. Afterwards she continued on as an interior designer for a furniture company and soon went on as an assistant designer with a commercial interior decorating company. While living in Detroit, Lisa was invited to join the professional artist group called the “Detroit Scarab Club”. This club was the first of many different art associations and society memberships in which she still continues to participate as an active member. She has contributed many years as a board member and President for Rhode Island Watercolor Society and Franklin Art Association.
Before moving to Massachusetts, Lisa’s marriage led her through several moves throughout the United States (Kansas, Maryland and Illinois). During these moves, she raised two children and was exposed, and participated in different art programs. Lisa volunteered at her daughter’s school in the “Art Volunteer In the Classroom” program associated with the Art Institute of Chicago, where she educated the students about famous artists. While living in Illinois she began teaching art to home-schooled children.
The decision to open her own business, “Developing Artist,” was derived from the lessons she taught to young blossoming students. As an art instructor, she teaches group and private drawing and painting classes to children and adults. She has given art instruction to adults through the local continuing education program and the local senior living activities program. During her career, Lisa has given art talks at a gallery and taught art to children at an elementary school as the Artist-in-Resident. Lisa has also been a substitute art teacher at an elementary school and taught art at the Library.
Lisa teaches various mediums and works professionally in: pen & ink, watercolor, acrylic, and oil. The different mediums stimulate her imagination and allow more creativity and growth. She decides which medium to use depending on her vision for each painting, and the inspiration that a chosen medium brings to the subject matter. In any medium, her paintings are noted by the sense of movement, precision, and attention to detail with an array of color pallets. Her ongoing passion to explore many different techniques, while adding her own interpretation is always challenging. Through this process she was able to develop her own unique, original, new style to the watercolor medium. Lisa calls her original style “Colorweave”, a complex style in which she continues to develop, innovate and master.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Moving from one state to another four times has been the greatest obstacle. Each move brought new opportunities along with more challenges. After leaving Michigan I had to start over each time because my name, college, and artwork was un-known in the next state. You lose clients, connections, and references after each move. I rely heavily on word of mouth, which takes time to build.
Creating my own distinctive curriculum and lesson plans that would not duplicate the public school or other art schools was a challenge all of its own. I had to decide what was the most important information to pass on to students, and structure it appropriately.
This took time, research, effort, and a lot of dedication. Additional time and research went into the development of a business logo as well as a website that represented me as an artist and instructor.
By 2002 I knew I wanted to return to the world of competitive painting. Being an artist and instructor, I have always switched between several different mediums and styles because it shows what you are capable of as a teacher. This posed its own challenge because in the competition world you need to create a consistent identifiable style in order to further your career. Eventually I developed a unique, original, new style in watercolor that I call ‘Colorweave’.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Developing Artists story. Tell us more about the business.
I am a professional artist that is continually creating new artwork. I also enjoy teaching to share my passion for art and pass along my knowledge. With my painting, I am known for the watercolor style I created that I call ‘Colorweave’.
I started my home business ‘Developing Artist’ in 2000 to teach drawing and painting to children and adults. With my teaching, I am best known for the multiple mediums that I teach and the small class size. What sets me apart from other art classes is the individualized instruction with ongoing personal critiques. I am most proud of my students that I see graduate from high school with confidence and go on to college using their artistic abilities.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe in luck, good or bad. I do give credit to others in my life that have made it possible for my success. My first supporters were my parents. They believed in my talent by giving me art lessons from the age of nine. They also supported me going to college for art and interior design. At college, I met my future husband Daryl who then became my biggest cheerleader.
After moving to Illinois I worked for a B&B called ‘The Victorian Rose Garden’. Sherry Brewer was the owner and mentored me in running a business. Sherry had home schooled her children including art and shared tips and teaching materials she used. She believed I could be a great art teacher and encouraged me to accept a job teaching art to home-schooled children. After moving to MA, I started my own business in 2000 teaching art to children and adults.
Then in 2003 I met Stephanie Miksis at the Franklin Art Association. We were both officers, working closely together and formed a friendship. She was an advocate of having a website and was instrumental in creating and maintaining my first website based off the website she created for herself. At the start of 2015, with the help of my son Nathaniel, I redesigned, modernized, and launched my new website to what it is today.
My website has added to the visibility and success of myself as an artist and as a teacher.
Pricing:
- Weekly Group classes (start at 8 yrs. old) cost $22 per 1½-hour class & yearly registration fee of $25
- Private art lessons (start at 5 yrs. old) cost $70 per hour
- Semi-Private art lessons cost $45 per hour per student
Contact Info:
- Address: 7 Chilmark Road,
Franklin, MA 02038 - Website: https://lisagbailey.com
- Phone: 508-553-9119
- Email: info@lisagbailey.com
- Facebook: http://ww.facebook.com/DevelopingArtistsFranklin
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/developing-artists-franklin
Best with both rooms
Best view
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