My work is informed largely through internal process in response to and inextricably influenced by the vulnerability of nature and wildlife, often concerned with spiritual transformation. The mercurial and powerful energies of the sea, stillness and solace of woods, the miraculous transformation of the seasons are a constant inspiration. A chance occurrence while on a walk with a photograph taken becomes springboard for a new series … a storm at sea, quality of light/patterns of shadow, atmosphere, shape, form, weather. Working in Series appeals to me since it allows development of an idea, whether visual or metaphorical. In terms of process, I work abstractly and intuitively, allowing my conscious/unconscious to merge, letting the voices speak. I am eternally involved with exploration, experimentation, observation and discovery.
Originally from Blue Hill, Maine she studied at the University of Maine Orono, Maine College of Art, as well as living and working in major US metropolitan cities. Lisa has come full circle now happily residing and working from her studio and gardens midcoast, in Friendship. Her work is privately collected and has been exhibited extensively in Portland, ME galleries, Nationally juried shows and Arts & Literary publications.
She is a listed American Artist with the ARS/NY: https://www.arsny.com/
Maine Gallery Guide writes:
“Salt Pond Studio in Friendship presents “SEA ME,” paintings and drawings by Lisa Dombek, from Aug. 26 to Sept. 6, 2021. The exhibition includes mixed-media paintings and drawings born of the artist’s response to the vulnerability of our precious Maine coast. Through observation and experimentation, Dombek has developed a body of work steeped in metaphor and spiritual inquisitiveness. In this series of works, her command of materials and her intuitive, gestural style mix reality and abstraction, producing a compelling and sophisticated exhibition”.
"Her landscapes are at once a visceral response to where she lives and what she observes, often inspiring an imaginative world arising vicariously from the energies and tidal flow of the sea. Photographs taken on walks often serve as a springboard for paintings, drawings and mixed-media pieces.
As the ice of winter shifts into the flowing waters of spring/summer, these are also an expression of the mercurial nature of the seasons and the life force mysteriously moving and changing the fabric of the landscape she calls home".
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ART STUDY: Maine College of Art – Portland, ME; University of Maine - Orono, ME.
SHOWS:
Oct 27 2023 - Jan 12 2024 - SHIFT + FLOW, Solo Exhibition/Collection of Abstract Landscapes - PRESS HOTEL Gallery, Portland, ME
Aug 2023 - SoWA Open Studios Tour, Friendship, ME
June 2023 - WHAT THE SEA CHURNS UP, Paintings & Drawings - Sam Shaw Gallery, NE Harbor ME
Aug & Oct 2022 - MOUNT DESERT ISLAND'S MERCURIAL COAST, Abstract Mixed media - Sam Shaw Gallery, NE Harbor ME
Aug 2022 - SoWA Open Studios, So Waldoboro & Friendship, ME
Aug 2021 - SEA ME, Paintings & Drawings/response to the vulnerability of our precious Maine Coast, Paintings & Drawings, Friendship, ME
May-Oct 2021 - ART at The LEDGES, Open Studio Saturdays, Paintings & Mixed Media, Friendship, ME
June 2018 - UMVA Gallery @ Portland Media Center, Art & the Abstract Truth, Mixed Media, Portland, ME
May 2018 - Lofts Gallery/Chestnut St, Coastal Patterns Maine, Photographs & Paintings, Portland, ME
2017-2018 - VENN + MAKER, Paintings & Mixed Media, Portland, ME
May 2017 - St Lawrence Arts, "Sacred Spaces & Inner Maps", Oil & Mixed Media, Portland, ME
Nov 2014 - Make Sense Productions Open House, Paintings & Mixed Media, Portland, ME
Dec 2013 - Small Works Group Show, Yarmouth Frame & Gallery, Yarmouth, ME
June 2013 - Art Collector Maine/Kennebunkport Festival, Kennebunkport, ME
May 2013 - MECA Alumni Show, Thos. Moser - Freeport, ME
April 2013 – Exphrasis, Yarmouth Library – Artists & Writers, Yarmouth, ME
July 2012 - Art Collector Maine Home & Design Show - juried group show, Rockport, ME
June 2012 - Art Collector Maine/Kennebunkport Festival- juried group show, Kennebunkport, ME
March 2012 – Celestial Phases series and other selected paintings, St. Lawrence Arts, Munjoy Hill-Portland, ME
Sketchbook Project 2012 & Limited Edition Sketchbook Project 2012 – Brooklyn, NY
November 2010 - River Arts, GROUP Show juried by Dozier Bell, Damariscotta, ME
November 2010 - 36th Annual MECA (Maine College of ART) Juried Art Auction, Portland, ME
Aug 2010 - Crows & Monhegan, EFG Books & Gallery, Bridgton, ME
July/Aug 2010 - Monhegan/Selected Abstracts, Art Gallery at The Clown, York, ME
November 2009 – 35th Annual MECA Art Auction, Juried, Portland, ME
December 2008 – Art Basel Miami, Coconut Grove Satellite Gallery, Miami, FL
April 2008 – OIL show, Juried Group Show, 3 Fish Gallery, Portland, ME
Summer/Fall 2008 – Paintings, Juried Group Show, Thos. Moser Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
January 2008 – Oils on canvas, Coconut Grove Gallery, Miami, FL
August/Sept 2007 – A Collection of Works, EFG Books, Bridgton, ME
June/July 2007 – Recent Works, Filament Gallery, Portland, ME
July 2005 – Juried Group Show, Bruce Brown/curator, Barn Gallery, Ogunquit, ME.
November/December 2004 – New Work, The Sculpture Studio, Portland, ME.
June/July 2004 – New mixed media series – Meritage Wine Bar, Portland, ME. Summer 2003 – “Oil and sand on paper” – Dunne Roman, Portland, ME.
March 2003 – South by SouthWest Festival, “The Musik Show”, Juried Group Show, Gallery Lombardi, Austin, TX
March 2002 – “Spring for Life”, AIDS Benefit Auction – Portland, ME.
Sept 2001 –“Landscapes & Archways” Art Gallery at The Clown – Portland, ME.
May 2001 “Mixed Media III” – Internationally Juried Show, Period Gallery, Omaha, NE (“Special Recognition” status)
April 2001 – VIA Marketing, 2nd Fl. Private Gallery, Portland, ME.
July 2000 – Local 188 – 10th Anniversary Group Show, Portland, ME.
March 2000 – Green Design Furniture Showroom, Portland, ME.
Jan 2000 – “Vessels & Gods”, Art Gallery at The Clown, Portland, ME.
June 1999 – The Hay Gallery – Juried Premiere Show, Portland, ME.
MECA Art Auction 1998 , 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2009 Portland, ME.
AREA Gallery – USM Campus, Portland, ME.
Doll & Richard’s Gallery – Cambridge, MA.
PUBLICATIONS:
2018 Studio Visit Vol 40 - The Open Studios Press - A Juried Selection of International Visual Artists - featuring "Sacred Spaces #2" oil & mixed media on canvas; "Sacred Spaces #3" oil on canvas
2014 - ZEST Magazine Fall issue - "Oil Sketch #1 - 2013" featured with Wine List
2013 EKPHRASIS - Poems Speaking to Silent Works of Art. Merrill Memorial Library Arts, Yarmouth , ME, featuring "Worlds in World - Celestial Phases series, oil & mixed media on canvas
2012 Edition - Art Collector Maine Annual, featuring "Daddy You're Busted", plaster & m. media over wire on board, 2006
2011 Edition - OMPHALOS, Nine Point Publishing, featuring 7 paintings and select poets.
2011 Edition - Words & Images, New England's Art and Literary Journal, National publication - published image of "Aftermath", oil on canvas, 2010, 54" x 73"
2007 New York Times Magazine – Cutting Edge Design Fall – T. Moser National Ad, oil & m. media pieces
2007 Maine Home & Design, Chicago Home & Design – T. Moser National Ad, oil & m. media pieces
2007 Fall Catalog – Thos Moser Cabinet Makers – featured oil & mixed media pieces
2007 Edition - Words & Images, New England’s Art and Literary Journal, National publication - published image of “Angel Man Emerging” and utilized “She Comes” as cover art – both oil & mixed media on plaster over board.
2004 Edition - Words & Images, New England’s Art and Literary Journal, National publication - published image of “We’re All Warriors” – oil on canvas.
2002 Edition – Words & Images, New England’s Art and Literary Journal, National publication - published image of “Phippsburg Scape”- mixed media: acrylic, oil stick and graphite on paper.
PRIVATE COLLECTIONS:
New York, NY; Los Angeles, CA; Rockland, ME; Burlington, VT; Portland, ME; E. Berlin, Germany, Cousins Island, ME, Cape Elizabeth, ME; Boylston, MA, Cuttyhunk Island, MA
All images on this website copyright Lisa Dombek/ARS NEW YORK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.