Hi, I’m Lisa Surette-Markin! I’m an artist based on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada, with a passion for capturing special things by painting them on canvases or even ON old vintage items.
I LOVED doing Art as a kid! I grew up and life got busy…but throughout my 30 year career as a nurse, the deep desire to Do Art never went away.
While working with service dogs during the last 10 years of my career, another love of mine - dogs - grew stronger too! The sheer beauty and majestic nature of these animals, with their very unique personalities, became my muse and stimulated my passion to draw and paint them.
I started my journey as an artist by taking as many courses and workshops as possible, while working as a nurse. This led to building a small body of work. Surprisingly to me, I discovered that when people started seeing my artwork, I began to receive requests to do paintings for them.
And so, Red Dog Studio was born - affectionately named after our crazy redhead rescue golden retriever, Paris! She was a wild girl but also a patient assistant in my first art studio, situated in the garage of our house at the time! She was serious and loyal in her role, sleeping under my easel late into many nights.
When I had to leave my career as a nurse, I realized it was my opportunity to finally follow my bliss and pursue my dream of being an artist, all-in! Although I have played with many painting mediums, I mostly paint with Acrylic paints at this time. I like the fact they dry fast!
Now living in a 112 year old heritage house with my husband Kevin and current golden retriever, Maple Beans, my love of history and nostalgia, only grows more each year. As we wander our way through the years, I think many of us recognize the power and peace in deeply personal and meaningful items or moments. I enjoy painting many of them on canvas and even on vintage items themselves!
When I’m not in the studio you’ll find me walking local trails, on beaches and in neighborhoods with Kevin and Maple Beans, sipping coffees and slipping into thrifts stores… “just for a quick minute”!
I’m so glad you found me here! Please keep in touch as we discover what projects will be next on the easel!!
