Lisa Fittipaldi: Press Releases

Friday March 26, 1999

TOM SIME ARTS OUT THERE

Blind Watercolor artist Lisa Fittipaldi of Austin returns to the Florence Art Gallery with an exhibit of new works Friday and Saturday.

Ms. Fittipaldi, whose gift is a mystery even to herself - she began painting only after she lost her sight in 1993 - is not a novelty.

She’s truly talented, though her situation definitely adds to the aura of her vividly colorful works.

The gallery, located at 2500 Cedar Springs, will hold receptions from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Ms. Fittipaldi will attend and demonstrate her technique. Open to the public. Call (214) 754-7070 for more info.

"Sisters" by Lisa Fittipaldi

Tom Sime writes about emerging artists, community arts and theater for The Dallas Morning News. To submit information on upcoming events, call (214) 977-7763 or fax (214) 977-8838. Or write to Tom Sime, Arts and Entertainment, The Dallas Morning News, Communications Center, P.O. Box 655237, Dallas, Texas 75265.

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BEST Southwest Art . APRIL 1999 112 OF THE WEST T E X A S By Kristin Bucher CELEBRATING 25 YEARS
	"8 SECOND RIDE "

DALLAS . . . . To celebrate its 25^th anniversary, Florence Art Gallery features a two person show of paintings by Veronica Ruiz de Velasco and Lisa Fittipaldi. Velasco, a native of Mexico City, paints bold figurative works, particularly dancers, as well as still life's of fruit. Fittipaldi, who taught herself to paint in 1995 after losing 70 percent of her vision, creates detailed, realistic watercolors. A former financial analyst who traveled the world, she sketches her designs with a pencil that reflects light and tells the pigments apart by their textures.

Art Colors Life: Veronica Ruiz de Velasco / Lisa Fittipaldi, through April 30, Florence Art Gallery, 214.754.7070

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HOUSTON NEWS TODAY Online

By Emily Elsen

Lisa Fittipaldi

HOUSTON, March 27 - Lisa Fittipaldi literally woke up one day in the middle of her life and began painting. Not an unusual event, unless you consider one piece of information - Fittipaldi is blind.

She wasn’t always blind. In fact, she spent most of her life as a certified public accountant, working at an Austin hospital, until an illness stole her sight.

Three years later, talking to a Houston reporter at the Bayou City Arts Festival, she marvels at the strange way painting seemed to just come naturally to her - even though, now, she had no visual point of reference on which to base her work.

"It’s probably one of the better things that happened," Fittipaldi told Houston News Today. "In the short run, I was miserable. In the long run, I think it will be all right. I have no right to be this happy."

She was declared legally blind in 1993. The Texas Commission for the Blind offered to add the technology Fittipaldi would need, as a sightless employee, to continue her work at the hospital, but her employer didn’t want to upgrade. "They did everything in their power to make me fail," Fittipaldi said. "The entire experience of being blind was a real eye-opener."

When the hospital offered her a buyout, she took it rather than to continue to feel miss treated. "It was the only decision I could make and keep my sanity," she explained. To fill the time Fittipaldi once spent crunching numbers, she decided to become a sculptor, and enrolled in a class, which was canceled at the last minute. Then her husband Al brought home a rectangular child’s watercolor set. Fittipaldi dove in and started painting. Amazed at his wife’s talent, Al immediately went out and bought Lisa an adult set of paints.

At first, Fittipaldi started out with traditional flower and landscape paintings. As she began learning, she would have Al read her every art book they could get their hands on. Using a special IBM program, which reads articles over the Internet to her, Fittipaldi surfed the net for valuable painting tips.

	Next came the challenge of painting people, which was especially difficult since she couldn’t see what anyone looked like. One painting, "Snow Birds," was the result of an experience Fittipaldi had in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Every morning when she took her dog Wizard for a walk at 6:30a.m., she kept hearing what she believed were the same voices. "I got the impression that they never moved,"
"SNOW BIRDS"
	In her studio, a couple months later, she started painting the people she thought fit the voices. The result was a watercolor of several senior citizens, some lounging, some engaged in a Snow Bird conversation on a bench. "A lot of people say they recognize Uncle Herbie (in the painting)," she remembers. Her actual vision is like the snow on a television screen, Fittipaldi said. It’s her imagination that soars with a vision long gone. "Just because I can’t see doesn’t mean I can’t function," Fittipaldi said. "I’ve had people say, ‘Who allows you to be out by yourself?’ At the symphony, in a bathroom, I’ve had people talk about me like I’m not there. And at a store, I can’t get waited on." There have been times, too, when people buy her work without knowing she’s blind. "They just like it and buy a couple of pieces," she said.
"Swing Time"

Fittipaldi hopes, one day, to go on a trek. She’d like to paint the people of India, though she doesn’t have to venture out of her Georgetown studio to know how she thinks she would paint them

"I find that I get up in the middle of the night and paint them anyway," Fittipaldi explained.
Meet Fittipaldi and see her artwork this weekend at the Memorial Park Arts Festival .
Have you ever seen Fittipaldi’s work? What did you think?

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Television:

San Antonio Express News - Fri, April 18, 1997 - by Dan Goddard.
Times Record News - Wichita Falls, TX - Sat, April 26, 1997 - by Cody V. Aycock..
Salina Journal - Salina, KS - Sun, June 15, 1997 - by Gordon Fiedler.
Williamson County Sun - Georgetown, TX - Wed, July 16, 1997 - by Paula Baker.
Austin American Statesman - Austin, TX - Wed, July 16, 1997 - by Pamela Ward. (Internet)
Gulf Coast Newspapers - Fairhope, AL - Sat, March 21, 1998 - by Paige Ponder. (Syndicated)
Houston News Today - Houston, TX - March 27-Apr 1, 1998 - by Emily Elsen. (Internet)
Houston Chronicle - Houston, TX - Wed, May 20, 1998 - by Mike Warren.
Cleveland Plain Dealer - Cleveland, OH - Wed, May 28, 1998.
Garland News - Garland, TX - Wed, July 1, 1998.
Williamson County Sun - Georgetown, TX - Sun, Oct 4, 1998.
Dallas Morning News - Dallas, TX - Mon, Nov 2, 1998 - by Tom Sime (Internet).
Gulf Coast Newspapers - Fairhope, AL - Wed, Nov 4, 1998. (Syndicated)
Fairhope Courier -Fairhope, AL-‘Artist Returns for Fest & Talk’ Wed, Nov 11,1998.
Dallas Morning News - Dallas, TX - Fri, March 26, 1999 - by Tom Sime (Internet).
Southwest Art - Magazine - "Best of Texas" - April 1999 - by Kristin Bucher
                                            (National Art Magazine).
Park City People - Dallas, TX - Thurs, May 20,1999 - by Ken Raymond.
Omaha World Herald - Omaha, NE - Sun, Jun 20 1999 - by John Keenan.
Williamson County Sun - Georgetown, TX - Sun, Jun 20, 1999 - by Amiee Michels.
Art Baby Art - November, 1999 - by Al James (International Art Magazine)(Internet).
Austin Monthly - Austin, TX - "A Blind Woman Shall Lead Them" - April, 2000 - by Jason Siegel.
Sun-Sentinel - Miami, FL - "Lifestyle" - Thu, May 11, 2000 - by John Tanasychuck.
Miami Herald - Miami, FL - Thu, May 11, 2000.
Entertainment News & Views - Miami, FL - "Coffee & Chat with..Lisa Fittipaldi" - May 5-11, 2000.
Miami New Times - Miami, FL - "Artist's Blind Ambition" - May 11-17, 2000 - by Michael W. Sasser.
Renaissance Magazine - Miami, FL - March 15-28, 2000.
Selecta Magazine - Miami, FL - "Un Recorrido por las Exhibiciones del momento" - May, 2000.
ArtsFusion - (The Miami Herald - Internet) - Cover Story - July, 2000.
The National Enquirer - Lantana, FL - "Blind Painter Takes The Art World By Storm"
                                            August 1, 2000 by Philip Smith (International World News)
The New York Post - New York, N.Y. - "A Blind Painter's Vision" - (Entertainment)
                                            March 10, 2001 by Barbara Hoffman.
The Express News - San Antonio, TX - "Oprah Crew in San Antonio" - March 16, 2001.
The Oprah Show - Chicago, Ill - Oprah.com - March 28, 2001. (International - Internet)
London Daily Telegraph - London, UK - "Colours shine in the mind's eye" - April 11, 2001 -                                           by James Langton.(International - Internet).
Fine Art Magazine - (Forbes) - "Creating Art With The Mind's Eye" - Spring, 2001 - by Al James.
                                          (International).
Austin Magazine - Austin, Tx - "It's All In Her Head" - Spring, 2001 - by Kay Powers.
Celebrate Austin - Austin, Tx - "An Artist Who Happens To Be Blind" - April, 2001.
Stern Magazine - Germany - leute, KUNSTWERKE, "Gefuhlte Farben" - STERN 19/2001.
San Antonio Express News - "Whats Happening" - Monday, 28 May, 2001.
San Antonio Current - Art Space - "It's All In Her Head" - June 7-13, 2001 - by Jonathan Marcus.
San Antonio Express News - S.A.Life - "Blind Ambition" - June 12, 2001 - by Elda Silva.
Associated Press Wire Service - "Painter Overcomes Visual Disability to Find Success" -
                                         June 23-24, 2001 - by Michelle Koidin. (International; Internet)
People Magazine - Arts - "In Her Mind's Eye" - October 15, 2001 - by Chris Coats (International).
San Antonio Express News - "Visually impaired artist an inspiration to many"
                                         October 21, 2001 by Susan Yerkes.
The Asahi Shimbun - Japan - January 12, 2002. (International).
Nurse Zone - Spotlight on Nurses - "The Mind's Eye: Former Nurse Discovers Artistic Talent" -                                         February 26, 2002 - by Kristin Rothwell. (Internet)
American Press - SW Louisiana - "Arts Alive Features Blind Artist" - March 22, 2002.
Newsday - New York - "Colors in the Dark" - March 26, 2002 - by Steve Parks.
The Sentry - Akron, OH - "Blind Artist Featured at Benefit Gala" - April 14, 2002.
The Leader - Akron, OH - "Cause For Celebration" - April 11-17, 2002.
Akron Beacon Journal - Akron, OH - "Artist Lisa Fittipaldi guest at Society Gala"
                                       - April 22, 2002.
The Montrose Sun - Kansas - "Around the Town" - April 25, 2002 - by Joyce Johnson.
The Herald - Barberton, OH - "Entertainment" - April 25, 2002.
The Salina Journal - Kansas - "Blind Ambition" - July 26, 2002 - by Gary Demuth.
Daily Word - "A Journey of Discovery" - October 2002.
Good Life Magazine - "Blind Ambition" - December 2002 - by Diana Erbio.
Good Life Coaching - issue #44 - "Living the Creative Life" - December 2002 - by Sharon Good.
Angels on Earth - A Guidepost Publication - "My Mind's Eye" - Sept/Oct 2003.
Cellular Wisdom - Celestial Arts Publishing - Chapt.6 - 2004 - by Joan C. King, PhD.
Terra Wellington - "Changes in the Air" - November 29, 2004.
Southern Living - "Extras" - "A Brush With Darkness" - December, 2004.
Getting in Touch With Literacy - "A Brush With Darkness" - February, 2005.
Painters Keys - "A Brush With Darkness" - February 1, 2005.
Houston Community Newspapers - "Art Beyond Sight" - March 12, 2005.
Nurse Zone - Spotlight on Nurses - "A Brush With Darkness" - April, 2005.
Artist Magazine - "Blind Ambition" - April 2005 - by Kate Mesch (Associate Editor).
Texas Cooking - Features art by Lisa Fittipaldi at Azuca Restaurant - May, 2005.
WOMAN - San Antonio, TX - "Blind and Talented" - July/August 2005 - by Jasmina Wellinghoff
UKLupus - London - "Art From The Mind's Eye" - August 7, 2005.

Exhibits:

Museum of Fine Art Austin - July, 1997.
Florence Art Gallery - "Wonders of the Mind’s Eye" - November, 1998 (Today Show Filming).
Florence Art Gallery - "Art Colors Life" - March, 1999.
Dallas Museum of Art - "Beaux Art" - April, 1999.
City of Omaha Nebraska - June, 1999 - Featured Artist
City of Garland, Texas - July, 98 & 99 - Featured guest artist.
Texas Country Reporter Festival - Dallas, Texas - September 19, 1999 - Featured guest.
Pink Palace Museum - Memphis, Tenn. - October, 1999.
Gallery SOCO - Austin, TX - March, 2000.
Bal Harbour Gallery - Miami, FL - May, 2000.
Wentworth Galleries - July, 2000.
Wentworth Gallery - Atlanta,GA - September, 2001.
Art Expo - New York, N.Y. - March, 2001.
Witte Museum - San Antonio - "Blind Ambition" - June 14-July15, 2001.
          Touring Museum Exhibit - "Blind Ambition: The Art of Lisa Fittipaldi".
Sands Point Museum - New York - "Blind Ambition"- March 30 - June 02, 2002.
Sternberg Museum - Hays, Kansas - "Blind Ambition" - June 29 - September 08, 2002.
                                 Held over by popular demand till December 31, 2002
Gallery of America -Grand Duchy of Luxembourg-"A Career Resume, Encompassing Art"
                                December 4, 2002.
"Man of the House" - Lisa's paintings were featured in this movie staring Tommy Lee Jones in 2005.
                                Now available on DVD.
Tribes Gallery - New York - September 9, 2005 thru October 1, 2005.
Citicorp - New York - October 15, 2005 thru November 15, 2005.

Key Note Speaking Engagements:

Delta Gamma - San Antonio, Texas - March 02, 2002.
International Interior Design Association - Austin, Texas - March 12, 2002.
Arnett School - Lake Charles, Louisiana - "Arts Alive" - March 26, 2002.
The Society For the Blind "Black & White Gala" - Akron, Ohio - April 26, 2002.
Kansas State University - Hays, Kansas - Art Lecture & Demonstration - October 22, 2002.
Vision Expo - Phoenix, AZ - Phoenix Civic Plaza - November 8, 2002.
Delta Gamma - Dallas, TX - February 1, 2003.
Citicorp - New York, NY - November 3, 2005.
Conference on Literacy - Denver, CO - December 1, 2005.
21st Annual International Technology Conference - California - March 22, 2006.

Patrons:

City of Garland; Medical Resources, Inc.; Baybreeze Inns, Inc; Prescott Insurance, Inc.; Fairhope Jewelers, Inc.; San Antonio Court Reporting; Stafford Realty; Fairhope Sculpture Corp.; Preston Hicks, PC; Century 21; Sir Wigglesworth, Inc.; Lions Club, Desoto; Arta-Milan, Italy; Willy Nelson; Klussendorf, London; Catherine Fortune, Natalie Maines (Dixie Chicks).....to name a few.

Charity:

The Mind’s Eye Foundation - Founder of a non profit charity providing educational technology for low vision, visually impaired, hearing impaired and blind children who are mainstreamed into the educational environment, for the purpose of assisting the children in achieving their full potential. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Lisa’s art goes to the foundation. www.mindseyefoundation.org

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More About Lisa | Visit The Online Art Gallery
Visit The Limited Edition Art Gallery | Recently Sold Art Works
Mind's Eye Foundation
Witte Museum

Copyright 2006 by Blind Ambition Studios
all rights reserved. Last update 3 January, 2006

		Public Radio International - Studio 360 January 22, 2004
		*RIDE TEXAS* - The motorcycle magazine of Texas. Volume 5 Issue 6 January 2004
		*Angles on Earth* - My Mind's Eye - Sep/Oct 2003 A Guidepost Publication
		Good Life Magazine - December, 2002
		Artist Interviews Lisa Fittipaldi - August, 2002
		Ampersand Communications: Golden Years June, 2002
		"Nurse Zone"- February 26, 2002
	The Asahi Shimbun - January 12, 2002 Japan
	People Magazine - October 15, 2001
	YOU Magazine - 6 September 2001 Capetown, South Africa
	STERN MAGAZINE - June 2001
	London Daily Telegraph April 11, 2001

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	The Dallas Morning News - Nov. 1998
	The Dallas Morning News - March 1999
	HOUSTON NEWS TODAY Online
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Press Releases About Lisa Fittipaldi