Customer Spotlight: An Interview with Lisa McShane

As an artist and a landscape painter, I think it’s my job to place myself in the way of beauty. And so I do. I go river rafting in Idaho, I run in the forest, and I walk the beach below me on Samish Island. Lately I’ve been up before dawn to watch the light coming up behind the North Cascades. The photos I take on my phone become my reference material. From those, I create drawings and then those become paintings that are created with layers of paint and then glazing. I want to capture light and my memory of being in a specific place with someone I care about. These aren’t random and beautiful places that I paint, these are places where I was with someone and I paint that memory.

What led you to start using Metropolitan frames?

I noticed Metropolitan frames when I saw them used by artist David Ridgeway and so I ordered a few to try out and haven’t used anything else since then! They are a perfect fit for my work. (Note: David Ridgway has been a customer since 2012 and Lisa has been a customer since 2013.)

Do you typically place your orders online or by phone?

I order online because I like to take the time to pick out the wood, double check the size, and confirm which profile I want. My sample boxes are well used. One of the favorite frames I ever ordered was a thick walnut in a floating frame and it was gorgeous. While I work in series and have had a number of solo shows, I pick out each frame to work with the painting, rather than using the same wood across a show.

Do you order joined frames or cut-to-size with wedges? 

If it’s a small piece I’ll order a joined frame because the dovetail joinery is just so nice. It’s a small touch but perfect. But I live on the coast of Washington State and paint large so I usually order cut-to-size with wedges and those have been easy to put together. (Note: we have a framing advice section that details all aspects of framing.)

How have you set up your studio for framing? Any tips you think other artists would appreciate?

My studio works well for my big framing jobs. When I have a solo show I order them all at once and then framing takes over my entire space. For the last few shows friends have come over to help me frame. I’ve trained them, we have snacks and wine, I’ve already put the frames together, and so we all get to work attaching them to the varnished paintings. That’s been fun and so helpful.

How do you sell your work? Online? Galleries? Art Shows? Do you have a gallery/galleries that represent you?

Most of my sales are through galleries and I’m currently represented by Smith & Vallee Gallery in Edison, Washington, JG Gallery on Bainbridge Island, and the Reuben Saunders Gallery in Wichita, Kansas. On occasion I’ll take a commission or sell direct but I value my gallery relationships and prefer that people buy from them. Unfortunately galleries don’t last forever and this month one of my galleries is closing. 

Being with a gallery you believe in and that believes in you is a powerful experience. Creating art and creating a space for art are exercises in optimism, community, and hope and I am so grateful to have been represented by Smith & Vallee. We were the best of partners and I have been lucky to be part of that magic. My life is better in every way because two families decided decades ago to open a gallery in Edison Washington for art. I am painting more than ever. I have a museum show on the calendar. I am grateful.

How do you price your artwork?

I have a spreadsheet and use a lineal inch formula (height + width x my set price). Then I add the 2.5 times the price of your frame.

Any other advice you think artists would appreciate about your practice?

For over a decade I’ve had an idea for a large series of the Columbia River, from the headwaters in British Columbia to the Pacific Ocean. Last year I got serious about the concept and met with a museum director who offered me space for a solo exhibition. As I’ve talked with more people about this, a filmmaker has offered to join me for a portion and a journalist has asked to participate, so it’s become bigger and will include video, writing, and photographs. The exhibit will be in a couple of years at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art. 

My best advice for other artists is to commit to your work and honor your work ethic: paint, and paint a lot. Don’t delay. Don’t wait for inspiration. Build and maintain your skills by painting a LOT and eventually it happens. There’s a quote, widely attributed to Goethe, that I keep above my drawing table and it ends with this: 

"Whatever you do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.”