‘I’ve always liked elephants from when I was a kid - I wanted a real one as a pet! Then I got into Buddhism and Hinduism and different cultures in general. I’ve always been a spiritual person. I like that when something bad happens, there’s a silver lining. I can’t see any bad in it - it’s peace and love.

I’ve learned about Ganesh and Shiva, two Gods in Hinduism. I have a book called ‘Namaha - Stories from the Land of Gods and Goddesses’. As well as the stories I also love the drawings and colours. I get lots of ideas for my art and I then do my own version.

When I start creating, I can’t sleep - I have crazy ideas and then I’ve just got to do it! I also like to get messy when painting and creating my art. It makes me happy!

From primary and secondary school I got told I was rubbish at art because I couldn’t draw an apple.

Then Artbox came along and told me that I can do art. They believed in me.

I have two ‘sisters’ in the Artbox studio, Bobbi and Violet, and I have a penpal, Kasia, who attends on a different day. They all make me happy - they saved me and helped me to believe in myself and my art. Artbox and the people in the studio are like my family.’

Lisa keeps sketchbooks and brings them into the studio. In her sketchbook she sticks on a lot of different textures like bubble wrap or macaroni. By starting from a ripped up canvas, this idea of collage and exploring texture is embedded into the very fabric of the piece. This is emphasised by the work’s details, not least the fairy lights inside the picture frame!