Anything can be
November 2025
Listen to the mustn’s, child, listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me. Anything can happen, child, anything can be. ~Shel Sivlerstein
I’m often asked, why lil fish?
Lil fish was a nickname I picked up years ago and it felt fitting for the nature of my work. When I added ‘studios’, I did it intentionally - I’ve never seen my art practice as a solitary pursuit. but one that embraces different art forms, welcomes collaboration, and connects with community.
When I’ve allowed myself to daydream over the years, I’ve imagined a communal space filled with color and shared energy. Comforting in its creative clutter, warm, and nurturing. A place that makes people feel the magic of what art does for the soul. A place that makes people feel a little bit more like, well, themselves, and part of something. Like a school of fish perhaps.
Last week I took a big step forward towards bringing that vision to life. I signed a lease on a space in the Franklin Art Center.
Lil fish studios will have a physical space!
The belief I have in this vision, and in my ability to make it happen, is solid. It feels good right to my core. But I know that this is going to take a lot of work, and I’m going to need help.
If you like painting walls, moving furniture, or spreading the word about the joy we are creating, I’d be very grateful for your help. If you want to help financially, please consider taking a workshop with me, or purchasing a piece that speaks to you. (I’ll be putting some work in my shop next week, and will be doing a shop hop in Pequot next month)
And as always, moral support and coffee is also very, very much appreciated.
I will be sharing so much more about this in the coming months and am planning a grand opening in late January. I am so excited about the community we’re going to create together.
~ with gratitude, Lisa
A little more about that nickname…I was snorkeling in Devil’s Lake in Wisconsin with my good buddy Brian. We were paddling along when he shouted at me that I was like a lil fish. When I popped up and looked, I was in the middle of the lake, far away from everyone else. I was so entranced by watching the sunlight filter through the water, and by the tiny freshwater jellyfish (yep, they’re a real thing) that I hadn’t realized I had separated from the group. I laughed when I saw where I was and tipped my head back, sucking in a mouthful of lake water, and possibly a jellyfish, in the process. Lil fish stuck, and it’s been with me for close to 35 years.
Thank you for reading. It means the world to me.
If you think someone else may enjoy my work, I’d be grateful if you’d share this with them or encourage them to visit my website where they can sign up for my newsletter, consider workshops, and peruse past projects.
Have questions? Email me at lisa@lilfishstudios.com