In 1979 I bought a book, The Art of The Painted Finish by Isabel O’Neil. After days of reading at random, my perception of the decorative arts was enlightened. The possibility of creating both familiar and exotic finishes with paint was an illumination. I tried to apply some of the processes in the book and soon realized that Isabel did not write a “how-to” book. I was determined to master these techniques. On the very last page of her book was the key: a reference to The Isabel O’Neil Studio Workshop. I called the number in the phone book and for the last thirty-two years I have been on a most enjoyable, satisfying and creative journey.
The following remarks are excerpted from a profile of me in the Fall, 2009 issue of Visionary Philanthropy, a publication of Lighthouse International:
Lisa-Clerc Rosenberg, a specialist in the fine art of Asian -style lacquer, has been a familiar face at Lighthouse Women’s Committee meetings for the last ten years. Lisa-Clerc first learned about the Lighthouse from her friend and mentor, the late Judy Van Nostrand. They met at the Isabel O’Neil Studio where Lisa-Clerc studied the art of the painted finish before becoming a teacher.
The focus of my work in the art of the painted finish is Japanese style lacquer. Using the techniques of early European and American decorative painters I have devised a method which simulates the finishes of the old Japanese lacquerers using readily available materials: paints, varnish, gold leaf, mica and metallic powders. I explore and elaborate upon these methods in my own studio and teach these techniques at the Isabel O’Neil Studio Workshop. I try to impart this sense of discovery to my students.
Lisa Clerc Rosenberg
clercro@nyc.rr.com