I was born in Canton, Mississippi not to far from Jackson Mississippi. Canton is a historical town framed by original buildings from the early 1900’s. As a child,  I was influenced greatly by  my community, church, parents and my grandmother who recently passed at the age of 98.  I place my memories of   my childhood in Canton on canvas.  Through my art, I reveal the beauty of the South  as I remember as a child and now as an adult.  I paint about  individuals that you will never see on TV or read about in a magazine.  However, they were hardworking, proud, dedicated to God and dedicated to each other.   Painting brings me peace and joy.   It allows me to remain grounded and connected to  my past. It allows me to tell the story an  honor those that I grew up with in my community.

My art is  derrived from my  memories, my experience  and  my perception of  my hometown community as a child. My art is from my spirit.  I can only paint what I feel. I am a memory painter.  I am completely self-taught. I have never taken an art class other than what was offered in elementary school. However, as  with most  folk, self taught  and outsider artists, in the midst of the simplicity of  style and technique there is  deep  meaning and feeling.   I hope that my art will remind people of times that were simple but beautiful.  Through my art, I tell stories and paint a picture of the rural South. To me the most important component of my art are the stories that I tell. I enjoy touching the heart and the spirit of others with my art. 

Lisa Cain, Ph.D.