| 12/1/2009 5:59:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article | Business features international artwork
Valerie Clarke
Lisi greeting cards, displayed on racks at Sage & Roses in Rockford, originate in sunny Barcelona, Spain, where Lisi, the artist, lives with her husband.
Lisi has never been to Rockford, but she has another local connection in addition to her art sold at Sage & Roses. It is a friendship with long-time Bella Vista Church member Lynetta Grissom. The original connection for their friendship was made through Lisi's art and has lasted more than 20 years.
The Spanish illustrator, known only as Lisi, is famous for her paintings of children. She works for Pictura Graphica, a Swedish company. Many Swedish cards and products are known by Lisi's signature artwork of children with crystal blue eyes.
Pictura Graphica markets Lisi's art throughout Europe and America on greeting cards, cookie tins, fabric paintings, mugs and prints.
Jeannie Marvin, owner of Sage & Roses, has been selling Lisi's art since she opened her store 4 1/2 years ago.
"This is the first year we've carried her Christmas cards, but her greeting cards sell very well here," Marvin said. "Her art is really special."
This sentiment was shared instantly by Grissom when she saw her first Lisi painting, "The Little Apple Girl" in 1985. She was on her honeymoon in northern Michigan at the time.
"She was hanging in a store in Sutton's Bay," said Grissom, referring to the painting of the child. "And within moments she had captured my heart."
Grissom began collecting Lisi cards - a collection that grew into a much loved display. In 1992, she displayed the collection at a Mothers of Pre-schoolers program that she led at Bella Vista Church. A friend, seeing the display, encouraged her to write to Lisi and tell her how much her artwork had blessed her.
Since that time, dozens of hand-written letters and gifts have been exchanged over the Atlantic between Lisi and Grissom. Thus, a friendship was born and nurtured.
In June, the two finally became face-to-face friends as the Grissom family took their dream vacation to Barcelona.
"Hola Li-netta mi querida amiga," said Lisi in Spanish as she embraced her friend for the first time. Translated, she said, "Hi Lynetta my good friend."
Lisi speaks mostly Spanish but warmly expressed herself over the next two weeks through her art, actions, hospitality and broken English.
"We spent the first five days at Lisi's house in Barcelona then flew the family to Rome for four days," Grissom said. "We spent the remaining time in Spain traveling with Lisi and her husband through the region known as Catalonia. It was a wonderful vacation for all of us."
Grissom will have a portion of her Lisi collection on display at Sage & Roses, 36 E. Bridge St., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 5.
She said she looks forward to sharing her love of Lisi's art with others.
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