Photo: Rachel Boekel

We’re getting really excited about The Cheaper Show coming up this Saturday, when 200 artists will have 400 works for sale at $200 a pop at 188 Kingsway. There are always great gems to be had, and among them will be a couple of abstract works by local painter Lisa Ochowycz. Here’s a short autobio:

My series are named after streets or neighbourhoods, collected during my travels, local and abroad, grounding me in a physical place, but offering me a wealth of experience and growth. I have been based in Vancouver for the last 7 years, and have greatly enjoyed exploring this vibrant community. I have shown both locally and nationally. My work can be found in private collections in Canada, USA, Switzerland and Argentina.

We recently caught up with her recently to learn a bit more…

Three things about the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood that make you want to live there: 1) the mix of people (families young and old, professionals, musicians, bike enthusiasts) 2) the local boutiques: food and fashion 3) the JJ Bean on the corner of Main and 14th.

A one sentence artists statement to describe your work: My paintings combine texture, diverse colour palettes, markings, and layers to become abstract windows, offering subtle glimpses into our shared human experience.

Best Vancouver place to be inspired by emerging artistic talent? On a once-a-year bases The Cheaper Show is a pretty fantastic place for that, on a year-round bases I would have to say the The Waldorf is really setting the bar high.

What inspires your creativity? Music and the amalgamation of daily encountered moments.

Vancouver can be a challenging city for an artist (collectors are rare, studio space is hard to come by and the cost of living is high). Why would an artist choose to be here? Why is Vancouver a good city for art? I think Vancouver is a breeding ground for creativity. There is a wonderfully dynamic dialogue between the urban environment, its inhabitants, and the landscape.

Last art shows that really blew you away? Karin Bubas current show “Colour Field” at Monte Clark, as well George Vergette current show at Gallery Jones “Stranded and broke in a strange town.” Both are stunning.

Local artist you admire? Jessica Bell and Val Nelson

One thing you would like to change about the Arts scene in Vancouver? I would love the diversity of venues for showing and engaging with art to increase.

Words of wisdom for emerging artists living in Vancouver? An art career is like a constantly shifting three dimensional object. There are all sorts of materials (time, labour, money, dreams, rejections) that will need to be stitched together to create an aesthetic whole.

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