A nationally-recognized artist and teacher, Lisa Dolezal grew up surrounded by the imagination and creativity of her father, who was an entertaining and engaging professional magician with "magic fingers." She attributes her nimble hands to him and believes his whimsical personality rubbed off on her too because she delights in hiding animals and other items within her pottery.

"I love seeing people's expressions when they realize there is a cat or a turtle or some other creature peeking out at them. The ideas come to me out of thin air, a little like magic," says Lisa.

After attending Kansas State University in the late '70s, Lisa established herself as a respected painter in the Twin Cities area. Then, in 1990, she left her profession and the art world behind when she decided to adopt a child with special needs. Although the challenges presented by this new life path consumed much of her time, Lisa found that she still longed for a creative outlet.
 
So she responded to an ad for a pottery class and discovered an instant passion for "playing in the mud." Lisa determinedly set out to learn the craft, but no matter how hard she tried, she could not center the clay on the potter's wheel. In fear of failing the class, she took a piece home one night and sculpted around it. Lisa passed the class, and a potter was born. She continued to study, mastered the skill of centering, and eventually apprenticed under renowned potter Richard Abnett.

Lisa draws upon her experience as a painter to create unique and colorful pottery. "Clay is like canvas," she says. "When I feel the urge to paint, I paint with underglaze. This is my passion now."

Although known for her versatility, she especially enjoys sculpting three-dimensional pieces, a talent she discovered in that first pottery class and has continued to perfect over the years. Her trademark "faces" were inspired by people most important to her, including her stepmother and father-in-law.

RECOGNITION AND AWARDS
Featured at the It's Only Clay Exhibit and Competition (2008)
Featured in Rochester Newspaper (2008)
Red Wing Newspaper (A Destination) (2008)
KSTP - Twin Cities Live (2008)
Appeared on WCCO - Finding Minnesota (2007)
Featured Artist for Loring Park in the Star Tribune (2005)