About the Artist
Artist Bio
Lisa Tennant, TWS, is a painter working with themes of urban landscape, botanical and nature, figurative and occasionally abstract expressionism which are each interwoven in graphic shapes and angular perspective and textured with weathered and distressed surfaces, colors, and patterns found in nature.
Tennant holds a BFA in painting and graphic design an MA in painting, and MFA in watercolor painting. During her graduate work she won a graduate art purchase award from EMU, was a board member of the Michigan Water Color Society, and was a founding member of the EMU Watercolorists organization in tandem with starting a student watercolor exhibition, which continued for 19 years after finishing her MFA.
Tennant holds a BFA in painting and graphic design an MA in painting, and MFA in watercolor painting. During her graduate work she won a graduate art purchase award from EMU, was a board member of the Michigan Water Color Society, and was a founding member of the EMU Watercolorists organization in tandem with starting a student watercolor exhibition, which continued for 19 years after finishing her MFA.
Tennant practiced her art and professional graphic design for a number of years, eventually teaching digital design at the college level. During this time, her work became more focused, highly realistic, and detailed with close attention to the illusion of space, materials, and surface texture to the point that the works are first mistaken for photographs. Upon closer inspection the brush strokes and nature of the media become an abstraction.
During Tennant's career she has won a number of awards for both her artwork and design including Best of Show in the Scarab Club 60th Watercolor Exhibition. Her work has appeared in solo and group exhibitions in Michigan, Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, and Texas. She is a signature member and board member of the Texas Watercolor Society. In addition to her fine art and graphic design, Tennant is an accomplished author and illustrator of the children's picture book Min Min and the Magic Garden, also produced as a cinematic short. She has melded all of her artistic interests over the years through the mediums she utilizes.
"To me, each medium holds it's own marks and way of communication. I play each medium to it's strengths while using it to express my ideas and discoveries. Light and shadow, surface texture, color, and composition are all important aspects of my art. With regards to nature, it is in the naturally occurring patterns. With regards to urban landscape, it is the graphic shapes against the sky and the influence people and time have had on a particular place. With regards to the figure, humanity is held in the expression of the eyes and body, something more than just a likeness, a window into the soul."
Podcasts
2024 International Sign Finders Podcast: "Episode 18 - @lisa.tennant.art - Signs to Brush Strokes", May 19th
2020 Mondo Neon Podcast "Focusing on Signs, the Path to Watercolor & Powerful Observations with Artist Lisa Tennant"
Publications
2025 Watercolor Artist, Winter issue, Article, Artists Network
2024-25 The Art of Watercolour, December 24/January 25 issue, Article, Diverti Editions
2024 Splash 25: The Best of Watercolor, Artist Magazine Summer special issue, Competition Finalist, Artists Network
2023 AcrylicWorks 10: The Best of Acrylic, Artist Magazine September special issue, Competition Finalist, Artists Network
2023 Watercolor artist Lisa Tennant creates paintings of urban signs and places that resurrect old memories. Featured Artist, December issue, Artsy Shark
"Min Min and the Magic Garden" Children's Picture Book written, illustrated and book design by Lisa R. Tennant. Available on Amazon as Softcover and Kindle.
Exhibitions
Art Fairs, Awards, Juried, Group, Solo
2024 The Other Art Fair Dallas—Exhibitor
May 9-12, 2024, Dallas Market Hall, Dallas, TX
Awards
2024
• Merchandise Award—Landscape/Water Category, Women in Watercolor 5th International Juried Competition
• Finalist, Artist Magazine's July special issue Splash 25: The Best of Watercolor art competition
• Merchandise Award—Landscape/Water Category, Women in Watercolor 5th International Juried Competition
• Finalist, Artist Magazine's July special issue Splash 25: The Best of Watercolor art competition
2023
• Finalist, Artist Magazine's September special issue AcrylicWorks 10: The Best of Acrylic art competition
• MWCS Award & Selected for Travel Exhibition, Michigan Watercolor Society 75th Annual Exhibition
• 10th Place Overall, 7th Place Painting Division; 12th Annual All Women's Online Exhibition, LightSpaceTime Online Gallery
• Finalist, Artist Magazine's September special issue AcrylicWorks 10: The Best of Acrylic art competition
• MWCS Award & Selected for Travel Exhibition, Michigan Watercolor Society 75th Annual Exhibition
• 10th Place Overall, 7th Place Painting Division; 12th Annual All Women's Online Exhibition, LightSpaceTime Online Gallery
2022
• MWCS Award & Selected for Travel Exhibition, Michigan Watercolor Society 75th Annual Exhibition
• Second Place Award in Watermedia, 37th Texas & Neighbors Regional Exhibition
• Merit Award, Watercolor Art Society-Houston 45th International Watercolor Exhibition
• Honorable Mention, 12th "Cityscapes", LightSpaceTime Online Gallery
• MWCS Award & Selected for Travel Exhibition, Michigan Watercolor Society 75th Annual Exhibition
• Second Place Award in Watermedia, 37th Texas & Neighbors Regional Exhibition
• Merit Award, Watercolor Art Society-Houston 45th International Watercolor Exhibition
• Honorable Mention, 12th "Cityscapes", LightSpaceTime Online Gallery
2021
• Art Supplies Award by Cheap Joes, Texas Watercolor Society 72nd Annual Exhibition
• First Place Award in Watermedia, Texas & Neighbors 36th Regional Exhibition
• Art Supplies Award by Cheap Joes, Texas Watercolor Society 72nd Annual Exhibition
• First Place Award in Watermedia, Texas & Neighbors 36th Regional Exhibition
2020
• People's Choice Award, Water Media National Juried Exhibition, Dallas Metro Arts Contemporary Gallery
• 3rd Place Overall, 2nd Place in Painting, and Honorable Mention in Painting; 2nd Primary Colors Exhibition, LightSpaceTime Online Gallery
• First Place Award in Watermedia, 35th Texas & Neighbors Regional Exhibition (online due to pandemic)
• Juror's Award—Society of Watercolor Artists 43rd International Exhibition (online due to pandemic)
• People's Choice Award, Water Media National Juried Exhibition, Dallas Metro Arts Contemporary Gallery
• 3rd Place Overall, 2nd Place in Painting, and Honorable Mention in Painting; 2nd Primary Colors Exhibition, LightSpaceTime Online Gallery
• First Place Award in Watermedia, 35th Texas & Neighbors Regional Exhibition (online due to pandemic)
• Juror's Award—Society of Watercolor Artists 43rd International Exhibition (online due to pandemic)
2019
• Third Place Award—Watercolor, Annual Art Competition, Temple Cultural Activities Center
• Third Place Award—Watercolor, Annual Art Competition, Temple Cultural Activities Center
2018
• People's Choice Award, First Thursdays Exhibit-Architecture (June), Orlando Museum of Art
• People's Choice Award, First Thursdays Exhibit-Architecture (June), Orlando Museum of Art
2017
• People’s Choice Award & Best of Show Award, Sanford Art Walk September
• People’s Choice Award, Sanford Art Walk August
• People’s Choice Award & Best of Show Award, Sanford Art Walk September
• People’s Choice Award, Sanford Art Walk August
2006
• MWCS Founders Memorial Award, Michigan Watercolor Society 59th Annual Exhibition
• MWCS Founders Memorial Award, Michigan Watercolor Society 59th Annual Exhibition
2003
• Merit Award , “Winter Judged Show”, Fort Meyers Beach Art Association
• Merit Award , “Winter Judged Show”, Fort Meyers Beach Art Association
2002
• Best of Show Award, Detroit Scarab Club 60th Annual Watercolor Exhibition
• Best of Show Award, Detroit Scarab Club 60th Annual Watercolor Exhibition
1992
• Purchase Award, Eastern Michigan University Annual Graduate Candidates Exhibition
• Purchase Award, Eastern Michigan University Annual Graduate Candidates Exhibition
Juried Exhibitions
2024
• Women in Watercolor 5th International Juried Competition
• Watercolor USA 2024, Springfield Art Museum, Missouri
• Watercolor Art Society-Houston 47th International Watermedia Exhibition, Houston, Texas
• Women in Watercolor 5th International Juried Competition
• Watercolor USA 2024, Springfield Art Museum, Missouri
• Watercolor Art Society-Houston 47th International Watermedia Exhibition, Houston, Texas
2023
• 74th Texas Watercolor Society Annual Exhibition, San Antonio, Texas
• 76th Michigan Water Color Society Annual Exhibition, Holland, Michigan
• Society of Watercolor Artists International Juried Exhibition, Fort Worth, Texas
• Watercolor USA 2023, Springfield Art Museum, Missouri
• Watercolor Art Society-Houston 46th International Watermedia Exhibition, Houston, Texas
• 13th "Cityscapes", LightSpaceTime Online Gallery
• 12th "All Women", LightSpaceTime Online Gallery
• 74th Texas Watercolor Society Annual Exhibition, San Antonio, Texas
• 76th Michigan Water Color Society Annual Exhibition, Holland, Michigan
• Society of Watercolor Artists International Juried Exhibition, Fort Worth, Texas
• Watercolor USA 2023, Springfield Art Museum, Missouri
• Watercolor Art Society-Houston 46th International Watermedia Exhibition, Houston, Texas
• 13th "Cityscapes", LightSpaceTime Online Gallery
• 12th "All Women", LightSpaceTime Online Gallery
2022
• 75th Michigan Water Color Society Annual Exhibition, Detroit, Michigan
• 37th Texas & Neighbors Regional Exhibition, Irving, Texas
• Watercolor Art Society-Houston 45th International Watercolor Exhibition, Houston, Texas
• 12th "Cityscapes", LightSpaceTime Online Gallery
• 75th Michigan Water Color Society Annual Exhibition, Detroit, Michigan
• 37th Texas & Neighbors Regional Exhibition, Irving, Texas
• Watercolor Art Society-Houston 45th International Watercolor Exhibition, Houston, Texas
• 12th "Cityscapes", LightSpaceTime Online Gallery
2021
• 72nd Texas Watercolor Society Annual Exhibition, San Antonio, Texas
• 36th Texas & Neighbors Regional Exhibition, Irving Arts Center, Texas
• Louisiana Watercolor Society 51st Annual International Exhibition , Online, Louisiana
• Watercolor Art Society—Houston 44th International Watermedia Exhibition, Online, Texas
• 72nd Texas Watercolor Society Annual Exhibition, San Antonio, Texas
• 36th Texas & Neighbors Regional Exhibition, Irving Arts Center, Texas
• Louisiana Watercolor Society 51st Annual International Exhibition , Online, Louisiana
• Watercolor Art Society—Houston 44th International Watermedia Exhibition, Online, Texas
2020
• Water Media National Juried Exhibition, Dallas Metro Arts Contemporary Gallery, Plano, Texas
• 2nd Primary Colors Online Exhibition, LightSpaceTime Online Gallery
• Texas & Neighbors 35th Regional Exhibition, Irving Arts Center, Texas
• Society of Watercolor Artists International Juried Exhibition, Fort Worth, Texas
• Water Media National Juried Exhibition, Dallas Metro Arts Contemporary Gallery, Plano, Texas
• 2nd Primary Colors Online Exhibition, LightSpaceTime Online Gallery
• Texas & Neighbors 35th Regional Exhibition, Irving Arts Center, Texas
• Society of Watercolor Artists International Juried Exhibition, Fort Worth, Texas
2019
• Annual Art Competition, Cultural Activities Center, Temple, Texas
• Annual Art Competition, Cultural Activities Center, Temple, Texas
2018
• Sanford June Art Walk "Color", Sanford Welcome Center, Florida
• First Thursdays Orlando Museum of Art Exhibition "Architecture", Orlando Museum of Art, Florida
• Sanford June Art Walk "Color", Sanford Welcome Center, Florida
• First Thursdays Orlando Museum of Art Exhibition "Architecture", Orlando Museum of Art, Florida
2017
• Sanford September Art Walk “All Media”, Sanford Welcome Center, Florida
• Sanford August Art Walk “Color”, Sanford Welcome Center, Florida
• Sanford May Art Walk “All Things Considered”, Sanford Welcome Center, Florida
• Sanford September Art Walk “All Media”, Sanford Welcome Center, Florida
• Sanford August Art Walk “Color”, Sanford Welcome Center, Florida
• Sanford May Art Walk “All Things Considered”, Sanford Welcome Center, Florida
2006
• 59th Michigan Water Color Society Annual Exhibition, Bay City, Michigan
• 59th Michigan Water Color Society Annual Exhibition, Bay City, Michigan
2004
• 57th Michigan Water Color Society Annual Exhibition, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
• 57th Michigan Water Color Society Annual Exhibition, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
2003
• 56th Michigan Water Color Society Annual Exhibition, Midland, Michigan
• Winter Show, Fort Meyers Beach Art Association, Fort Meyers Beach, Florida
• 56th Michigan Water Color Society Annual Exhibition, Midland, Michigan
• Winter Show, Fort Meyers Beach Art Association, Fort Meyers Beach, Florida
2002
• Harvest of Art (juried), Charlotte County Art Guild, Punta Gorda, Florida
• Scarab Club 60th Annual Watercolor Exhibition, The Scarab Club, Detroit, Michigan
• Harvest of Art (juried), Charlotte County Art Guild, Punta Gorda, Florida
• Scarab Club 60th Annual Watercolor Exhibition, The Scarab Club, Detroit, Michigan
2001
• 54th Michigan Water Color Society Annual Exhibition, Rochester Hills, Michigan, Selected for Travel
• 54th Michigan Water Color Society Annual Exhibition, Rochester Hills, Michigan, Selected for Travel
2000
• 53rd Michigan Water Color Society Annual Exhibition, Gross Point, Michigan
• 53rd Michigan Water Color Society Annual Exhibition, Gross Point, Michigan
1999
• 52nd Michigan Water Color Society Annual Exhibition, Birmingham, Michigan
• 52nd Michigan Water Color Society Annual Exhibition, Birmingham, Michigan
Group Exhibitions
2023
• Central Texas Art League Spring Exhibition, Cultural Activities Center, Temple, Texas
• Central Texas Art League Spring Exhibition, Cultural Activities Center, Temple, Texas
2017
• Mel’s Bad Girls Club Sensory Overload, CityArts, Orlando, Florida
• Mel’s Bad Girls Club Sensory Overload, CityArts, Orlando, Florida
2016
• Small Works Show, CityArts, Orlando, Florida
• Small Works Show, CityArts, Orlando, Florida
2002
• Art Promenade Show and Sale Invitational, Terryberry Gallery, St. Cecilia Music Society, Grand Rapids, MI
• Art Promenade Show and Sale Invitational, Terryberry Gallery, St. Cecilia Music Society, Grand Rapids, MI
1999
• Chamber After Hours “An Evening at the Prado” Invitational, Citizens National Bank, Ypsilanti, Michigan
• Chamber After Hours “An Evening at the Prado” Invitational, Citizens National Bank, Ypsilanti, Michigan
1998
• Chamber After Hours “An Evening at the Guggenheim” Invitational, Citizens National Bank, Ypsilanti, Michigan
• Eastern Michigan University Faculty Exhibition, EMU, Ypsilanti, Michigan
• Chamber After Hours “An Evening at the Guggenheim” Invitational, Citizens National Bank, Ypsilanti, Michigan
• Eastern Michigan University Faculty Exhibition, EMU, Ypsilanti, Michigan
Solo Exhibitions
2024
• Solo Exhibition, The Art Dept Gallery, Temple, Texas
• Solo Exhibition, The Art Dept Gallery, Temple, Texas
2022
• Small Gallery Invite Exhibit, Cultural Activities Center, Temple, Texas
• Small Gallery Invite Exhibit, Cultural Activities Center, Temple, Texas
2021
• Natural Patterns Solo Exhibition, Cultural Activities Center, Temple, Texas
• Natural Patterns Solo Exhibition, Cultural Activities Center, Temple, Texas
2020
• Natural Patterns Solo Exhibition, Vivé Les Arts Theatre, Killeen, Texas
• Signs of a Recent Past Solo Exhibition, Vivé Les Arts Theatre, Killeen, Texas
• Signs of a Recent Past Solo Exhibition, Cultural Activities Center, Temple, Texas
• Natural Patterns Solo Exhibition, Vivé Les Arts Theatre, Killeen, Texas
• Signs of a Recent Past Solo Exhibition, Vivé Les Arts Theatre, Killeen, Texas
• Signs of a Recent Past Solo Exhibition, Cultural Activities Center, Temple, Texas
2000
• Selected Works Exhibition (solo), Dillenbeck’s, Grand Rapids, MI
• Selected Works Exhibition (solo), Dillenbeck’s, Grand Rapids, MI
Professional Memberships
Michigan Water Color Society, Member, past Catalog Chair, past Newsletter Chair
Texas Watercolor Society, Signature Member, current Corresponding Secretary, current Social Media Committee Chair
Watercolor Art Society-Houston, Member