How Lisa August Became an Award-Winning Artist by Accident

Round-the-clock art exhibits presented by the Chatsworth Fine Arts Council (CFAC) are going on now at the Chatsworth Metrolink Depot in a special "Depot Windows Art Display." Located next to the main depot lobby, the art on exhibit is all original work from CFAC member artists, and the exhibits change monthly.

This month multiple award-winning artist Lisa August's work will be shown.

Lisa August is a prominent Chatsworth artist and teacher. As a painter she is very active with several Valley art groups. She frequently enters art shows and art competitions and has won more than 125 ribbons, special awards and gold medals in juried art shows, including many Best of Show and several People’s Choice recognitions.

Her very first award, though, she earned at the age of 5 when she won a certificate for “Fine Creative Artwork” from the Burbank Council of Parents and Teachers.  “The 10 girls I painted using poster paints had only 9 legs among them,” she mused.

Her painting did not resume until many years later. After their wedding, August gave her engineer husband a wooden box with a full set of oil paints hoping that he would use it as a hobby.  He did indeed, but stopped after only completing one painting.  Nine years later when her youngest child started nursery school, she found herself with three free hours in the afternoons.  Rather than let the still usable paints go to waste, she decided to give them a try.  “Good thing I did that,” she says, “else I’d have started a different hobby!”

August began taking art lessons in the park. At the second lesson the teacher complimented her work saying “You paint ‘em and I’ll sell ‘em.”  That example of how to encourage one’s students stuck with her for the rest of her life.  After only three lessons in the park, she began 10 years of studies with Chatsworth artist and teacher Ronnie LeBerthon.  However, after only a few lessons with LeBerthon she established her own studio in her Chatsworth home and began taking on students herself.  “They come from many different countries around the world,” she says.  About the experience of teaching August loves when her students come in and they are very appreciative and happy to be learning.  She’s delighted that they become friends and attend art-related events.

August continues to attend many workshops and many demonstrations from various art associations.  She is still learning and enjoys it very much. August is also the Communications Chair for the Valley Artists Guild.

Using Old Masters’ glazing techniques, August’s original oil paintings are of considerable scope, including portraits, pets, wildlife, still life, landscapes and seascapes. You can see her work throughout the month of December at the Chatsworth Metrolink Depot, 10040 Old Depot Plaza Rd.

Lisa August is available for custom commissioned paintings and murals. She may be contacted by phone at 818-882-8517 or via email at Augstudios@aol.com.