We had the good fortune of connecting with Lisa Courtines and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
When I was in my 20s and 30s my work life balance was a little less balanced, but I lived in NYC and most of my friends worked a lot. Moving out here to San Diego with a husband and toddler I was lucky enough to take some time off of work before beginning to freelance and eventually work full time again. Life is much more about quality of living, spending time with family and growing creatively. It’s very important to me to work for a company that values work life balance and supports its employees.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve worked as a production artist and retoucher for over 20 years. The first half of my career was working in advertising for movies and tv. One of the highlights and benefits from work was working on a fundraiser for MTV Networks for an MLK Memorial, which now exists. I worked on a billboard in Times Square. It felt great to do something that was for such a great cause AND I got a ticket to attend the actual fundraising event where I got to see Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonders and John Legend.

After the economic downturn in 2008 I was laid off as many were and was able to take a retouching class. This led to working as a retoucher and also creating personal, digital art. Shifting my career into retouching was something I had wanted to do for a while. Photoshop is my happy place. I was afraid to make the change but I did it anyway. Getting to do what you love and getting paid for it is such a gift, I’m very grateful!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would get tickets to a show at Rady’s Shell or bring them to see the venue during an event at sunset. It’s my new favorite concert venue. I would take them for lunch at the Taco Stand in North Park, my favorite Mexican spot. For authentic New England fare we would go to Pete’s Seafood and Sandwich in North Park. I’m originally from Massachusetts and I love a great lobster roll and the Ipswich Clams are delicious! Also I love the small town feel that the owner Pete brings to the place and his Boston accent are the best. We would take a little drive up the coast and walk around Encinitas to check out the shops, galleries and the beach. We would definitely go for dinner and a stroll in Little Italy. Maybe dinner at Ironside and ice cream at Salt & Straw. If we had small kids in tow we would go to Glorietta Bay on Coronado. It’s a lovely spot with a park, boat rentals and real bathrooms, plus the view of the Coronado bridge isn’t bad either. If it isn’t too hot a hike at Torrey Pines would be great, too!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My fantastic high school photography teacher David Sarian was a wonderful mentor to me and excited about my work. I remember the way he looked at one of my photos, he made me think, hey I might just be talented?! He made learning about photography fun and interesting. We had a dark room at our high school, which instantly became a magical place for me, watching patiently as the images appeared. I also recall the Photo Olympics that he had our class partake in at the end of the year. Whichever team shot (on film!), developed the film and printed a quality photograph first won. I honestly can’t remember whose team won.

After working professionally as a production artist for many years I had the opportunity to take a retouching course with the extremely talented Chris McCormack at the School of Visual Arts. Chris is a master at his craft and a wonderful teacher. During a “self-portrait” project where we couldn’t use any images of ourselves, I started the style of digital art that I continue to create today. His encouragement and enthusiasm lit my drive to not only create art but to also share it with the world, which is something I hadn’t done since college.

Website: http://www.lisa-graves-courtines.com/

Instagram: lgc_studio

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisagravescourtines/

Other: https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/LGCstudio

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