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If it’s morning, most likely fine artist Lisa Acciai (pronounced A-Cee) is in her studio creating 2-minute animal sketches. “I took a class from a fellow pet portrait artist who swore by doing daily quick sketches, and it really changed my process,” she explains. “Now I try to start each day with a page of 2-minute animal sketches to warm up. It gets me in the flow for a full day of painting.”
This local pet portrait artist grew up in Pine City, N.Y., a small hamlet with just over 5,000 residents not too far south of the Finger Lakes. From a very young age, she wanted to be an artist, drawing animals mostly, but also people.
The State University of New York, aka SUNY, has an impressive 64 campuses and grants around 96,000 college degrees each year. Lisa chose to attend college about 180 miles west of her hometown, practically on Lake Erie, at SUNY Fredonia.
“I started out in fine art,” she relates, “but partway through, a fellow student told me I’d never make any money as a fine artist and that I should switch to graphic design. I did, but I kept taking drawing and painting classes because I couldn’t let go of that side of myself.”
Hello, New River Valley
When her parents moved to Blacksburg in 1989, her last year of college, she followed them – just temporarily, so she thought. “I found a job in graphic design and met my husband, and before long, Blacksburg became my home — for the last 36 years.” Lisa took time off from work to raise two boys, and when they started school she took a part-time job with a local builder. “As a customer selection assistant, I developed my interest in interior design. Then I launched a website design business of my own, which I still run part-time.”
She loves life in the New River Valley. “The small-town vibe mixed with the energy of Virginia Tech creates such a nice balance. I love the mountains, changing seasons, Virginia Tech Center for the Arts, and walking or jogging with friends at Pandapas Pond. It’s peaceful, but never dull — always something going on, always beauty to soak in.”
Fur, Feathers, Faces
But it was her gifts to friends that lured Lisa back into her love for and skill at painting animals. About 10 years ago, she painted a few pet portraits to give friends for special occasions. “The response encouraged me to keep going. Once word started to spread, commissions followed. Now, most of my work comes from those commissions, and I have wonderful repeat collectors. We love our pets, and it’s such a joy to help people honor them through art. I usually have a steady stream of commissions to work through, so most of my days are filled with fur, feathers and faces.”
Awards followed, and it’s an honor for any artist to have their work recognized locally and regionally. Lisa takes one or two workshops every year in person or online. “Last year, I took a 4-day class with an abstract artist through the Blacksburg Regional Art Association (BRAA). It was way out of my comfort zone since I usually work very realistically. I loved it because it really opened me up creatively.”
The Commission Process
When someone connects with Lisa for a commission piece, the first decision is whether an oil painting or charcoal drawing. “They usually send several photos of their pet, and I help choose the best reference image to work from. Even if I focus on one pose, having multiple photos helps me get a better sense of their pet’s personality and features.”
After that reference image is selected, and the client settles on a size and background, Lisa makes a note of anything that needs to be removed like collars or harnesses. She begins sketching directly on the canvas or panel and begins the painting process. “I start with the eyes which are always my favorite part to bring to life,” she smiles.
When the piece is finished, before it has dried, the customer gets a photo for approval. The longest part of the whole process can be the drying time. Protective varnish is added to a painting, while charcoal drawings are sprayed with a fixative to prevent smudging.
Most commissions are dogs, cats and horses. Live sittings don’t work well with wiggly pets. She was recently asked to paint a snail. That one might not be very wiggly or get very far. If it has fur or feathers, Lisa figures she has probably painted it. “I feel so grateful to be doing what I love, connecting with people through their animals, and being part of such a supportive community.”
Text by Joanne M. Anderson
Photos by Jon Fleming
