About

Lisa Mc Carthy is a self-taught mixed media artist and sculptor working with painted and printed papers, wood, wire, beads, and found objects. She came to her practice quite literally by accident. In 2018, a car crash and resulting traumatic brain injury abruptly halted Lisa’s global career as a full-time writer and fundraiser for international humanitarian aid organizations. What followed was a completely new way of life—a grueling, multi-year recovery process defined by invisible, isolating, and debilitating chronic pain.

On this uphill journey, Lisa dug deep, tapping into her fading optimism. Out of necessity, she made a concerted effort to notice the good, the light, and the giggle-worthy wherever she could find it to lift her spirits and propel herself forward. No longer able to use a computer to express herself, Lisa picked up a paintbrush instead and stepped into a world of bold, life-affirming color.

The resulting pieces are Lisa’s colors—nuggets of hope and humor observed in the folds of everyday life, lovingly collected and kept safe in “treasure boxes” to share with anyone who might want or need them. Lisa likes to think of her work as a tangible “screw you” to chronic pain and unexpected hardships. In other words... goodness wins!

Lisa and her husband Patrick have lived and worked abroad for over 30 years across Asia, West Africa, the United States and Europe. They recently relocated from Colombo, Sri Lanka, to Bedford Hills, New York for Patrick's career with the United Nations. They are the proud parents of three amazing humans and several rescue animals. While Lisa still struggles daily with chronic migraines, she continues to make space to find the joy and humor around her, sharing it with the world through her art.