Bathing Belles (352 Piece Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle)

Lisa Graa Jensen

Lisa Graa Jensen is a Danish-born artist and illustrator celebrated for her vibrant, whimsical depictions of everyday life. Born in Søborg, Denmark, she pursued her artistic education at the Sir John Cass School of Art in London, followed by a BA (Hons) in Graphic Design and Book Illustration from Camberwell School of Art between 1975 and 1978. Her early career included work as a full-time illustrator for BL Kearley Ltd., where she contributed to publications such as Hamlyn, MacMillan, BBC Publications, and Puffin Books. She also created illustrations for greeting cards for companies like Camden Graphics and Royle. From 1981 to 1983, she served as an Assistant Art Therapist at Unstead Park Nursing Home in Godalming, Surrey, before transitioning to a freelance career as a painter and illustrator in 1983. In her personal life, Jensen is an avid animal lover and often incorporates her pets into her artwork, adding a personal touch to her vibrant, whimsical scenes.

Jensen's artwork is characterized by its colorful, figurative landscapes that often feature undulating countryside, markets, pubs, cafes, French farming scenes, and coastal settings, frequently populated with animals such as dogs, cats, sheep, donkeys, cows, and hens. Her technique involves using light, fast watercolors, acrylic inks, and designer gouache on heavy watercolor paper, employing tools like brushes, the sharpened end of a paintbrush for scratching out details, fingers, splatter bristle brushes, and salt for color dispersal. She works from memory, sketches, and photographs, making her paintings not just a visual treat, but also a spontaneous and lively experience for the viewer.

Throughout her career, Jensen has received numerous accolades, including the RI Kingsmead Award in 1997, a prestigious award in the field of watercolor painting, the Dry Red Press Award in 2015, a significant recognition in the world of illustration, and multiple wins in the Royal Academy Christmas Card Competition during the 1980s, a competition that has launched the careers of many renowned artists. She was elected to the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour in 1996, a highly respected institution in the art world, and the Society of Graphic Fine Artists in 2015. Her work has been exhibited at prestigious venues such as the Mall Galleries, Llewellyn Alexander Gallery, Chelsea Art Society, and the Royal Academy Summer Show. Currently residing near Wimbledon Common, her surroundings and previous experiences living in rural France and on a narrowboat continue to inspire her art, which captures the charm and simplicity of everyday moments.