Alisa Nelson began her focused art path as a child. Her parents’ encouragement led to countless art classes and opportunities. She graduated from Abilene Christian University with a degree in elementary education and art in 2001. Since then she has taught art to all ages in a variety of settings. 

In 2013, Alisa followed her passion and opened her art school, Alisa Nelson Studio, LLC, to offer quality art education to her community. Now 12 years later, her focus continues to be encouraging artists of all ages to bloom and believe “I am an artist!” Every year of teaching her students brings joy and confirms that sharing art is a passion and calling. “Watching her students create without inhibition, fear or conflict brings incredible rewards,” says Alisa. “Art is the universal language that everyone can speak. It brings people together, allows communication barriers to be broken and is a voice for joy, positivity and inspiration.”

As a painter, Alisa thrives in the relaxed pace of creating soft, impressionistic landscapes and florals with watermedia. Whether painting plein air or from a memorable photo, she looks for contrasts of light and finds ways to add surprising lines and ‘out of the box’ colors. In 2021, Alisa began attending an annual workshop with renowned watermedia artist, Stephen Quiller, in Creede, CO. She was introduced to the Quiller wheel and casein, which has become her most used medium. 

What is casein? She is glad you asked! 

She met casein in 2021, thanks to meeting master artist, Stephen Quiller. Since then it has become her primary medium. She gets asked often, “What is casein? I’ve never heard of it.” 

She hadn’t either until meeting SQ! Did you know casein is one of the oldest paint mediums? It was extremely popular & widely used until acrylics came on the scene in the 1950’s. It is a water-soluble medium that has some overlapping qualities of gouache & acrylics but has unique characteristics that are all its’ own. One of her favorite characteristics is its’ opaque, velvet drying quality. It can be lifted, blended & softened for several hours, (& somewhat even days) after painting. Currently @richesonart is the only manufacturer of casein. If you want to learn more, Alisa highly recommends SQ’s book, “Casein Painting with Stephen Quiller.” 

Alisa is inspired by endless masters, including Matisse, Van Gogh and O’Keefe, along with her art students she sees weekly. Books, music and being in nature fuel her creativity. ”Making Art A Practice" by Cat Bennett is a favorite book. She says, "Who knows what will happen or what we inspire with our art? We do not get to see the whole story, ever. We simply offer our art and ourselves... we have something of value to offer, and the world needs it.” 

Alisa and her family live in Edmond, Oklahoma. Her latest work can be seen at Terra Rosa Art Gallery in Guthrie, OK.