Through bold colours and intuitive compositions, Daniel Lisson creates vibrant abstract worlds that invite curiosity and offer a sense of lightness, hope and optimism. Embracing spontaneity, he sees painting as both a personal refuge and an opportunity to connect with others. Looking ahead, he is exploring new materials such as glass and wood, as well as the possibilities of three-dimensional, sculptural works and new editions featuring expressive colour gradients.
You will be presenting your work with New & Abstract at the Affordable Art Fair Hamburg from November 5–8. What role does a personal connection to your paintings play, and what would you like to evoke in your audience?
My art is an invitation. I want to spark curiosity and move people through my bold colors and compositions.
When I’m immersed in creating, I can forget everything around me. It’s a feeling I wouldn’t want to live without. And if someone can lose themselves in my work, just like I do while creating it—even if only for a few moments—then I’ve reached them through my art.
In your abstract visual worlds, colour becomes an immediate expression of lightness and optimism. How consciously do you shape this emotional impact, and where do you leave room for chance?
Honestly, I just let it happen. I believe colors have the power to evoke emotions all on their own, and chance is my friend along the way.
My COLORS universe is all about lightness, hope, and optimism.
I simply love working with these rich, vibrant colors. They naturally bring out something positive in me. Time and time again.
Your compositions combine pared-back forms with radiant fields of colour. How do you find the balance between clarity and dynamism without limiting the openness of your work?
It’s all about the feeling, baby.
I work intuitively, following whatever catches my eye or sparks something in me. It’s about exploring the tensions and relationships between colors, spaces and compositions — and, seeing where they take me.
It’s like putting together a puzzle without knowing what the final picture will look like. I figure it out along the way, trusting my instincts and experience.
Joy and positive movement are defining features of your visual language. Do you also see this approach as a conscious counterpoint to a complex and often contradictory present?
I’d describe my art as a refuge. A place I can retreat to, where I can be completely myself.
My world is colorful, diverse, and open minded. And honestly, that’s how I’d love our society to be, too. :)
Love above all. Tolerance and acceptance for people, animals, and our planet Earth. PEACE.
What new ideas are inspiring you at the moment, and are there any colours, forms or compositional approaches you would like to explore for the first time in your upcoming work?
There are quite a few ideas on my mind. It’s less about colors — I know my palette, and it’s a broad one.
What really gets me curious is material. Paper is my main thing right now, but I’m drawn to the possibilities of canvas, glass, and wood, too.
I’m keen to take my work off the wall and into three-dimensional space. Sculptural pieces? Definitely something I want to explore.
At the same time, new editions featuring exciting color gradients are in the works.
Let’s just say I’ve got plenty to keep me busy.