"Backlit Lotus" 36" x 48" acrylic on canvas

This week I've finally completed my first new floral acrylic painting since last fall. This painting, "Backlit Lotus" is actually one I started a few years back but got sidetracked on some commissions and other projects. This past month I finally had a window of time to complete the painting, which is somewhat different for me. It has a nearly black background and the flowers are completely backlit, creating an unusual lighting effect. I've always loved painting and photographing lotus flowers and have painted a number of them over the last 10 years. This one is definitely the most dramatic and contemporary.

A number of my encaustic paintings are now available through the Tennessee Artisan's Market at the Renaissance Center in Dickson. If you've never been there before, its worth the trip. A truly amazing center  for the arts, aptly named. In addition, my Vanderbilt University Medical Center exhibit, Botanic Immersion, has been extended through September 30, so if you haven't been by yet, there's still plenty of time. The paintings are located in the Mezzanine Gallery in the main lobby of the medical center. 

Lisa Ernst Exhibit at Vanderbilt Medical Center 

“Botanic Immersion”

Healing Art Exhibit by Lisa Ernst
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Mezzanine Gallery through September 30, 2011


An exhibit of Lisa Ernst’s botanic paintings is on view at Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s front lobby gallery until September 30, 2011. The exhibit includes several intensely colored calla lily and lotus pieces, all done in acrylic on canvas. The focus of the exhibit is healing art, which has been a theme in much of Ernst’s art for nearly a decade.

Through this exhibit Ernst aims to express “the strength inherent in softness and softness inherent in strength. The intense colors and play of light of these paintings are designed to draw the viewer’s eye in to the heart of the flowers, to encounter them in a fresh and unexpected way. As a whole, my intent is to create a harmony of passion and equanimity, shadow and light, and an inviting respite from life’s stresses and distractions.”



Ernst’s focus on healing art began in 2002 with a commission from M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Hospital in Houston, TX. She was inspired by the opportunity to bring her passion to those who could appreciate the warm embrace of nature in an often stressful environment. Over the last nine years Ernst has been commissioned by numerous medical centers including Northwestern University Medical Center in Chicago, University of Arkansas Medical Sciences in Little Rock, and the new Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro.

Ernst began studying art and painting full time in the mid-1990’s. Her work has been exhibited in many group and solo exhibitions in both galleries and museums, and she has been featured in American Artist magazine, among others. Her paintings hang in corporate, public and private collections internationally, and she frequently accepts large-scale commissions. The renowned M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston has acquired eight of Ernst’s large botanical paintings. Ernst is represented by dealers in the United States and London.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center has long been dedicated to healing art in health care. Healing Art is a growing area of focus for numerous medical centers and other health care facilities as an increasing body of scientific data has established that original art can help alleviate stress for health care providers, patients and their families.

The Vanderbilt University Hospital is located at 1211 22^nd Ave South , Nashville, TN .


For more information contact Lisa Ernst, lisa@lisaernst.com