Lisa Riehl
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West Coast landscape artist from Victoria, BC (Canada)...
I’m definitely loving my new full-time job! 🧑🎨
I’m currently working on this forest painting that I’ll be submitting to the Sooke Fine Art Show, while also getting ready for today’s acrylic painting demo inside my Permission to Play Society membership. We’ll be painting a forest scene there too 💚
Teaching is one of the things that truly lights me up. There’s something so special about watching things suddenly click for someone - when they stop overthinking, loosen up, and start trusting themselves creatively again. Watching people reconnect with their creativity never gets old!
And yes, this painting is upside down! 😄
I often rotate my canvases - as long as they aren’t too huge - because it helps me see the painting differently. When you’ve been staring at something too long, your brain starts filling in gaps and you paint what you “think” should be there, not what’s actually in the reference. Flipping or rotating the canvas helps you notice things you might otherwise miss: composition, balance, awkward shapes, values, movement … It’s one of my favourite tricks for getting out of my own head and seeing the painting with fresh eyes again.
20/05/2026
This is one of my fav beach paintings - so much so that I won’t sell it, it’s hanging on my bedroom wall 😄. I’m in love with the pinks, yellows, purples and blues, such calming colours … “Open Your Heart”, 30x40” oil
This is a beach that is special to me. It’s in Pacific Rim National Park and you can only reach it at super low tide. It’s always deserted, even on the busiest days! I’ve cycled to it many times, usually on days that are too windy to surf. Love this place so much 🩷💛💜💙
I think it would make a fabulous puzzle for the Villager Puzzles contest for women artists in BC, to create a special puzzle for BC Ferries!
18/05/2026
Anh, there's nothing better than relaxing on the beach … and sketching!
14/05/2026
I’ve always thought this painting would make such a beautiful puzzle. 💙
It’s inspired by the wild beauty of Tofino - the kind of place that makes you stop, breathe deeply, and just take it all in. Between the soft shadows, dappled sun peeking through the trees, and layers of coastal texture, I think this piece would be so much fun to assemble. It’s called “Where Shadows Dance” …
So I’m entering it into the Villager Puzzles artist call to create a special puzzle collaboration for BC Ferries!
What do you think? Can you imagine this painting as a puzzle?
12/05/2026
This past weekend’s Hills to Shore Studio Tour was a very busy one! Two full days of Janet Anderson and me welcoming people into her home to see and chat about our art 😊. We both had such a wonderful time and are so thankful that you came out to see our work and say Hi. I think we made some new friends!
We are thankful to you for supporting us (and the other artists on the tour), and for bringing paintings, prints + cards home with you. Of course, if something you saw there is still calling your name - let us know! We aren’t far away 😄
But for now … a little sigh of relief! Time to take a breath, put my studio back together - and relax a bit.
We are shortly off to Tofino for a week of camping and surfing. I’d love to also say “hanging on the beach in the sun”, but it looks like we might be saying bye to ☀️ for a while. No matter - it’s always gorgeous in Tofino, rain or shine 🏄♀️
It’s now time for some true West Coast inspiration!
08/05/2026
The Hills to Shore Studio Tour is this weekend! I’m getting everything ready today at Location 8, at the home of Janet Anderson (crazy talented floral painter), and we will be waiting for you tomorrow at 11am! So if you are in the Victoria area … you know what to do!
Sat + Sunday, 11-4pm! It’s your chance to see some amazing art from some amazing artists 😃
See the map at www.hillstoshoreartists.ca
I’m in love with linoprinting! Carving out the image is only the first part, here is the second part. I mixed up this gorgeous purple ink, used a brayer to spread it in a few thin layers on the linocut - and then used my new mini printing press to create this a gorgeous print! Each print is hand done in exactly this manner, so they are all one-of-a-kind. (Some turn out, some don’t 😬, it’s a learning process). I’m loving it 😃.
My new linoprints will be available for the first time - along with LOTS of my west coast paintings - at this weekend’s Hills to Shore Studio Tour: Sat May 9 + Sun May 10. What a perfect way to spend Mother’s Day weekend 🩷🌸🎨! I’ll be at Location 8, at the lovely home of Janet Anderson and her amazing gorgeous floral paintings. Be sure to visit and say Hi 🤗
MESSY studio tour time! 😂 What my studio actually looks like most of the time …
I’m prepping for the - Be sure to visit locaiton 8 (I’m sharing with the amazing and her gorgeous florals) 😄 and say Hi!
03/05/2026
Thank you 🩷 … I stepped into full-time artist life this week and YOU showed up to celebrate with me - by saying “Yes” to YOUR creativity … “Yes” to giving yourself permission to play … “Yes” to picking up a brush and making something just for the joy of it.
How beautiful is that?
Whether you joined the membership, treated yourself to a course, or simply cheered me on from the sidelines - you made this milestone so much sweeter 🥳
Here’s to making wonky, wonderful, messy, magical art together 🎨
⏰This is your final reminder - the Permission to Play Era SALE closes TODAY at 2pm PST!
After that, the membership closes, the 26% course discount disappears and the bonuses are gone.
😄I started this week as someone with 26 years in corporate life behind her. 🎨
I’m ending it as someone who has fully, completely, joyfully chosen her creative era.
If you’ve been sitting on the fence ... this is your sign. 💛
👉 Link in bio to the sale! 🎨🎉
✨ Come join me for YOUR Permission to Play Era ✨
01/05/2026
I woke up this morning as a FULL-TIME ARTIST 🎉🎨
My forever dream is finally here 🥳🥳🥳
And I am celebrating by opening the doors to the “26 Years in the Making … Permission to Play Era” SALE - beginning RIGHT NOW!
26 hours only.
26% off all courses.
Membership is OPEN - $29/month membership locked forever, with 3 exclusive bonuses.
This is my retirement party and YOU are invited. 💛
👉 Click here to see the sale 🎨🎉 https://www.itsnevertoolate2create.com/courses-sale