No Coloring Books Allowed for this Artist

Lisa Salamendra grew up in La Grange and graduated from Lyons Township High School in 1994. Her mom is an artist and made sure that Lisa used her imagination while growing up.

“My mom wouldn’t give me coloring books when I was growing up. She wanted me to create my own art,” Salamendra told me.

Art was a huge presence in the Salamendra home with various types of supplies available to experiment with through the years.

“I was given colored pencils, clay, crayons, chalk, paints, amongst others to create my art work. Our family had art contests going on all the time too,” Salamendra said.

Salamendra is now a full time artist with her work in the , 122 W. Calendar Ave., on her own website, and available at various art shows this summer and fall. She has a very unique medium she prefers to work in that took her over a year to perfect.

Salamendra uses small beads and places them perfectly on a painted board to form a portrait. Her specialty is pet portraits for which she relies on pictures supplied from the owners to produce her masterpieces. The pictures of her work are beautiful on her website, but don’t even come close to seeing the portraits in person.

It’s mind boggling looking at all the small beads dropped perfectly into place to bring a pet to life.

“Beads always fascinated me, so I started gluing them on glass and eventually moved on to larger vases. It was a long process over the course of a year to get the right type of glue so the beads are secure for life. My mom’s motto has always been that artwork should last more than a lifetime,” Salamendra said.

Salamendra’s work is also on display this summer at Oakbrook Center for the In Bloom: A Garden Sculpture event. In Bloom is a showcase of imaginative fiberglass sculptures and fine art pieces, displayed throughout the gardens and fountains at Oakbrook Center from May 19 - Aug. 21 this year. Once the exhibit closes, the one-of-a-kind pieces will be sold at auction to benefit HCS Family Services—an organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families throughout Southeast DuPage County. Salamendra’s frog sculpture is on display across from the Microsoft Store.

This weekend Salamendra will be participating in the Hinsdale Fine Arts Festival, 30 E. Chicago Ave. She will have her artwork available for purchase on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. She will be available to discuss custom pet portraits too. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind gift for a pet lover in your life, this is perfect. Commissioned pieces take about two weeks to allow the glue to dry thoroughly. Stop by and view her artwork in person and you will be amazed at the beauty of her work.

On a side note, thanks to my mom for supplying coloring books for me throughout my childhood. I might not be an artist, but I can color inside the lines!