Voices of Creativity
Hear the artist share her journey, challenges, and definitions of success
Lisa Roggenbuck
Lisa Roggenbuck, MFA (Boise State University, 2020), is an accomplished artist and educator whose work has garnered national and international recognition. A first-place winner in Artists Magazine for abstract and experimental art, she has also been featured as the Curator’s Choice by Art-Fluent.
Her research on the objectification of women earned praise from art critic David Pagel and a second-place juried award. Roggenbuck’s accolades include the Distinguished Thesis & Project Award, the Presidential Scholar Award in Performing & Visual Arts, and exhibitions at the Lore Degenstein Gallery, Visionary Art Collective, and the York Art Gallery in the UK.
She is currently a visiting lecturer in painting and drawing at Boise State University.
Beyond the Canvas: Lisa Roggenbuck’s Journey of Growth and Discovery
The Power of Connection
For Lisa Roggenbuck, the proudest achievement isn’t a line on a résumé but a personal transformation: building connections with fellow artists. Despite being naturally introverted, the choice to step outside her comfort zone and engage with a supportive creative community has been life-changing. “None of my accolades would’ve been possible without the support and feedback from other artists,” she reflects. Through this effort, she’s not only created meaningful opportunities but has also enriched her work and life in profound ways.
Evolution of Style: From Realism to Abstraction
Lisa’s journey began with a focus on realism, but over time, she embraced abstraction. This shift wasn’t easy, as it meant letting go of a deeply rooted attachment to creating lifelike pieces. However, realism often hindered the viewer’s connection to her work. Taking a leap of faith, she experimented with abstract forms, initially for private exploration. “Oddly enough, they ended up being the first pieces of a whole new body of work,” she shares. This evolution highlights her courage to grow and adapt as an artist.
Lessons from Setbacks
Every setback has been a disguised opportunity, according to Lisa. Challenges have provided invaluable lessons, showing her what doesn’t work and, ultimately, what does. She emphasizes the importance of embracing failure as a tool for growth, saying, “My biggest failures helped me to see what didn’t work so I could learn what would.”
Wisdom for Fellow Creatives
Lisa offers this insight: “Letting go of your attachment to outcomes can lead to exciting new discoveries.” She encourages creating without the pressure of sharing or achieving perfection, as this can open doors to unexpected breakthroughs. It’s about experimenting and focusing on the process rather than the result.
Staying True While Navigating the Market
Balancing artistic integrity with market expectations is a challenge, but Lisa believes that understanding one’s work comes first. “Artists need to know what they’re doing and why before they think about the market or audience,” she explains. Without this self-awareness, trying to meet external expectations can lead to chasing trends and losing authenticity.
Overcoming Self-Doubt
Self-doubt is a common hurdle, but Lisa finds solace in the wisdom of Suzy Kassem: “Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” She encourages emerging artists to embrace uncertainty, recognizing that it’s an inherent part of the creative process.
Redefining Success
For Lisa Roggenbuck, success has shifted from external validation to something she can control: consistent creation. “If an artist isn’t regularly producing, they won’t be ready when opportunities come their way,” she notes. By focusing on her output, she’s found a definition of success that feels sustainable and empowering.
This body of work examines the disconnection women experience from their bodies due to beauty standards imposed by western culture. These standards, dictated by the dominant culture, marginalize bodies that fail to conform and promote consumer-driven modifications as solutions, requiring significant time and money.
The artist references the historical nude, female sexuality, and body objectification while using color to address gender and the privilege tied to Caucasian beauty ideals. Patterns are employed to symbolize the labor of adhering to these standards and the loss of individuality within western constructs of beauty.
Through this exploration, the work invites viewers to reflect on the societal frameworks that shape perceptions of beauty and their implications for identity and autonomy.
