Lisa Marie Mercer

Having suffered the mind numbing consequences of numerous seizure episodes, digital art is my connection to mental clarity. The ability to create shapes, patterns and textures is what put my mind back in order. Art is a daily process for me. As soon as I wake up, something I read about, or a picture I see, creates a synapse in my brain. Resistance is futile. I need to create a picture. The numerous elements in my digital collage work represent my subconscious thoughts. Sometimes, I don't know why I add something, until long after the picture is created.

Lisa Marie Mercer, an artist whose journey to self-discovery blossomed unusually late in life, was born and raised in the culturally rich tapestry of New York City. Her childhood was steeped in the arts, with weekend excursions to museums, plays, and concerts forming the backdrop of her upbringing. Despite this artistic environment, Lisa spent much of her life as a fitness instructor and a tour guide, co-owning a web design business with her husband and writing about the history of Breckenridge, Colorado.It wasn’t until the age of 63, after being diagnosed with epilepsy, that Lisa unearthed her passion for art. A series of grand mal seizures stripped away her capacity to speak, write, and communicate. In this silence, she found a new voice in digital collage. Sorting through the vast collection of images from her web design days, she began to blend them much as she once did exercise techniques and recipes. She taught herself the art of digital collage, immersing herself in research and the transformative exploration of digital collage apps.Her work draws inspiration from the Pre Raphaelite and Art Nouveau movements, showcased through her love of color and beauty. Lisa’s creative process begins each day with curating images—a ritual that often culminates in a Eureka moment when inspiration strikes, leading her to blend images into something uniquely her own. Her art is infused with the unexpected, a reflection of her influences, including Alphonse Mucha, Lawrence Alma Tadema, and John William Waterhouse.Participating actively in the Gainesville Fine Arts Association and the Trinity United Methodist Art Committee, Lisa is a frequent exhibitor at Artwalk Gainesville events. Her works are not confined to traditional galleries but find homes in local restaurants, churches, and medical centers. One of her most personally rewarding endeavors is her body of work titled "The Art of Epilepsy," which is displayed in the neurology unit of a local medical center. The successful designs she created for a bluegrass concert in Gainesville, Florida, illustrate further the joy she derives from her art, seeing people adorn her creations on T-shirts.Lisa has garnered accolades such as the Merit Award from the Gainesville Fine Arts Association and the Best Emerging Artist award from the Oak Hammock Art Show. While she looks forward to the day prominent collectors might champion her work, those who experience her pieces describe them as unique, beautiful, engaging, and thought-provoking.Beyond her art, Lisa delights in spending time with her cats and exploring small towns that preserve their vintage charm. Lisa’s artistic journey is deeply intertwined with her values, believing that art significantly enhances mental and physical health. Though not working full-time as an artist, her creations echo her aspirations. Through expanding Gainesville's artistic exposure, Lisa hopes her work continues to be not just an expression of personal growth but also a beacon of healing and hope for others. In her eyes, art wields the profound ability to enrich, heal, and inspire communities.