LISA OSTERLAND

“The painting was a complete surprise and success! Thank you, thank you. You are extremely talented – a rare gift honed to perfection!”

Kathryn S.

“Lisa, Thank you so much for your incredible artwork and working to get the piece done for Dom’s 60th. He (really, we) will treasure it forever, and it’s especially meaningful to have your creation and creativity a part of our lives! Big hug!”

Tanya R. B.

“I love my birthday painting! Not only is it my favorite place, but the fact that it is one of your pieces makes it all the more special. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Can’t wait to get it framed and find a place for it in our house.”

Dominique B.

“How did you convey what a home means in such a little space?! You captured its beauty and all its memories in miniature! We love our painting.”

Anonymous

“Lisa you have captured the essence and magic of our home and captivated our hearts in a big way with your pocket painting. Your attention to detail is astounding as evidenced in the details of dormer and bay windows, our neighbours to the east and Selwyn House to the west. You have even captured the orange poppies in our dining room and the brown shutters in our second floor bathroom. It is an absolute gem – we will treasure it forever. It also reminds us of our 3 year renovations. Good things take time …… :)” 

Simmy P.

“Holy crap! That is AMAZING! I especially love that you have his ski-tuning table!! He will go crazy! You are a star. It will be fantastic to get the painting in May – and it will remind him of his absolute favorite season. He must have skied from our house everyday this winter. Thank you!!”

Jeanne M.

“Thank you for this very special gift. The brightness and the pop of color is amazing, and, of course, it’s my favorite season; lots of snow and no ticks! Love the ski-tuning table in front of the woodpile, the reflections in the glass and the big oak/ash trees rising above the roofline. How DO you do it?!!!”

Henry L.

“In the midst of COVID, it seemed almost frivolous to have our long-time home painted – better to focus on what we need to hunker down and weather the storm, perhaps?  But when Lisa delivered her meticulously-realized painting just as we were heading into an uncertain winter, the sweet sight of our beloved house surrounded in spring blooms gave us both hope and SO much gratitude.  Thank you, Lisa!”

Deborah V. W.

“The exquisite portrait of our home astonishes with its accurate detail and charms with its style! The tiny canvas is absolutely delightful mounted in a shadow box frame and perched on a shelf at eye level. It’s seen and enjoyed every day. We’ve also had the image reproduced on stationery to share with friends and family. Well done and brava Lisa!”

Cathy R.

“Lisa – wow – your artistry is amazing…All the things I love rolled into one beautiful gift – family, friends, home, art… I feel so very blessed to have this magnificent piece of art and love in my life.”

Michelle F. 

“Marc LOVES the painting of our house. When we move into a seniors’ residence together and have only our single room with en-suite everything, we’ll look at our tiny masterpiece together and say, ‘What a darling little painting. What a pretty house. I wonder who lived there…'”

Pam S.

“Lisa did an an incredible job miniaturizing our home and encapsulating each one of its elements into her painting. She even captured the flowers we put so much care into growing. Her love of painting and her passion to include every detail makes her work a truly memorable and timeless gift. Lisa doesn’t just paint a house, she paints a home.”

Julie B. & Erik H.

“It was difficult to leave our cherished Westmount home and move across the country. Therefore, it was an absolutely wonderful surprise to be presented with Lisa’s portrait in which she captured the specific details and overall beauty of our former house and the gardens we planted – on a whimsical and very tiny canvas. The painting resides in a special place at our new home in British Columbia.”

Tara N.

“Lisa produces small wonders that entrance and astound. Hers is a noble and ancient art. When we think of miniaturists, we think of Nicholas Hilliard, the “Jacobethan” portraitist who appropriately trained as a goldsmith. But Lisa boldly chose houses as subjects, and she excels at that. Achieving the reverse of the work of a telescope or microscope, Lisa creates a paradoxically familiar world in which we have never lived. With her masterful rendering of our house, Lisa has turned the ponderousness of masonry into a delicate gem that is one-hundred-and-fiftieth the size of the “real” object – without losing a speck of reality in the process. Lisa’s art made us even more aware of the architect’s skill thanks to the clarity and honesty her miniature brought. We are now the proud owners of two houses that differ only in scale.”

“Lisa, you have absolutely exceeded my expectations. I can’t believe you did this… and it’s so small! What a talent you are!”

Mirella D.B.

“Lisa fits a family’s lifetime of memories into a mini painting! Every precious little thing sits in our dad’s shirt pocket. This habit of his sprouted the idea of giving our father one of Lisa’s pocket paintings. Her masterpiece squeezes so many childhood memories connected to our family’s 60’s-style house. Happy life moments are marked and immortalized in that tiny frame: the basketball games in the driveway, the oyster parties in the garage, the rock of the first kiss, the night escapes out through the basement windows — and many more secrets that my sisters and I can’t share!”

Jeanne P.

“I commissioned Lisa Osterland to paint a miniature of our house. It is perfect and is so much more than a painting: it is a constant reminder of all the happy times we have had in our home and the constant it has been in the passage of time. Our children want us to make copies of the painting for them as their nostalgia for their home is strong, especially as they are now leading their lives in different cities. Thank you Lisa, for creating a beautiful and expert work of art which will always be so personal and precious to us.”

Charmian H.

“I purchased a ‘Lisa original’ at a charity auction, and asked her to paint a home our family has owned for 90+ years. Lisa was able to paint everything from photos I’d taken. The house has lots of windows and lots of detail. When she called to say, ‘It’s ready!’, I was very excited to open the box. I was truly AMAZED at how beautiful it was, and I’m grateful that our children will always have the painting to remind them of the happy days we have all spent in the house.”

Judy M.

“My entire family is enchanted by Lisa’s exquisite rendering of our home. We have lived in this house for 25 years; our children have grown up here. Lisa has captured every tiny detail from the reflection of tree branches in the upstairs windows to the texture of our brick. We will have this little treasure to cherish wherever we may live in the years to come.”

Diana G.

“I saw Lisa’s work at Art Westmount 2016 and immediately thought that a painting of our home would make the perfect anniversary gift for my husband. After 21 years, our house symbolized our life together – the foundations we laid, the children we raised, the love we shared, the life we built. These miniature paintings spoke to me specifically because in their tiny state they were treasures, a keepsake that represented years of memories. Bravo Lisa, for capturing the essence of all of these sentiments in one “pocket painting”, and for sharing with me the excitement and anticipation as the anniversary date grew near.”

Janine W.

“I gave the painting to John last night after he returned from a weekend trip — and he was BLOWN away by the accuracy, detail and sheer artistry. Thanks so much!!!”

Jenny L.

“Thanks to Lisa Osterland, we now have a delightful memento of our family home.”

Maureen K.

“My siblings and I commissioned Lisa’s amazing artwork as a present for our father’s 88th birthday. At 88, there isn’t much one needs…except a pocket painting! It was THE PERFECT gift for him and the expression on his face as he opened the box and saw Lisa’s breathtakingly accurate recreation of our beloved family barn still chokes me up. Lisa is meticulous, caring and talented. If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind gift, her pocket painting is it. Its value and impact are beyond measure. Priceless.”

Victoria L.

“I just got the painting [in the mail]. It is WONDERFUL. Bravo and many thanks…my wife, Lisa, will immensely enjoy and treasure this keepsake.”

Etienne B.

“I have spent the last couple of days sneaking quiet moments when my husband will not be around, so that I can pull out your pictures and look at them again and again.  It is such a treat to open the little boxes and see your work.  It is like opening three little treasure chests.  I smile each time I see them and am in fact smiling as I write this now. Again, many, many thanks.”

Catherine D-C

“Just want to thank you so very much for the beautiful painting! It is lovely and my husband and I can’t wait to have it framed!”

Franca M.

“Jim absolutely loved the painting. His exact words were, ‘Oh, it’s the house! I love it! I can’t believe how well the house is captured on such a small canvas.’ Now we are thinking about getting you to paint the house in Florida.”

Mary H.

“When, after long years of hard work restoring my Craftsman Bungalow and nurturing its garden setting, I decided it was “ready for its close-up” and chose Lisa to be the artist. Lisa was a great pleasure to work with, but what was most gratifying was the enthusiasm she invested in her pocket portrait. Does it ever show – the result is just so much more than a photograph could ever be. The old saw “less is more” comes to mind, but in this case less is unerring detail (both architectural and botanical), and remarkable depth and texture. Well done Lisa, and thank you!”

Edward S.

“My husband and I continue to get a lot of pleasure from your paintings, and they are admired by all the guests who come to our home.”
Mutsumi T.

“My husband was really surprised. He thought the little box would have cuff links – not a painting! He couldn’t believe that you could paint on such a small scale, and thought it was a very original and meaningful gift. I am thrilled, Lisa. You are very talented. When we eventually have to down-size or move to a nursing home, this painting will be one of the few things we take with us!”
Tey C.

“I gave the painting to my husband as an anniversary gift. He loved it and said, ‘This is so cool. I don’t know how Lisa was able to reproduce our home so beautifully. The painting is very intricate and so accurate!'”
Stephanie K.

“I just want to report that your painting/my Valentine Day gift was such a wonderful success. Sheila loves your work (as do I) and it has made us very happy. Thanks again.”
John O.

“When my wife opened the painting you did of our house for her birthday she said, ‘I want paintings like this of all the houses we’ve lived in!'”
Jason Y.

“Thank you for the painting you did of our home. It was the highlight of my Christmas! I have long admired your work – with its eye for detail – that I find fascinating. I have found myself studying this heartwarming piece many times since receiving it. Currently, it occupies a mantel in our home where one passes it at eye-level regularly and can spend a moment to take in the detail and perspective. I love it! Again, many thanks for your beautiful work.”
Paul F.

“Lisa has enormous talent for tiny works.”
Lorna D.

“My father worked at 355 Saint Jacques for many years and one of Lisa’s miniature paintings was a perfect retirement gift. While the details of building were daunting, Lisa tackled the project with enthusiasm and captured the details with amazing accuracy. Thank you, it is a timeless gift.”
Tim A.

“The pocket painting of our old home in Westmount was a big success at Christmas. It brought huge smiles to both of my parents’ faces. The details are incredibly vivid, much like the memories this little painting invokes. It’s amazing how something so small and delicate can pack such a powerful punch of sentiment…Thanks for doing such a tremendous job!”
Jeff B.

“The ‘pocket painting’ Lisa did of our heritage gingerbread house was a perfect way to preserve our memories before we moved. We spent several years restoring the house, and Lisa captured all of the intricate details – the wrap-around porch, the upper balcony, the latticework, and the sunburst at the top. It is a truly unique and special piece of art.”
Leigh G.

“A group of school moms commissioned Lisa to paint the school for a friend who was leaving the country. She was so thrilled to have a memento of the time she and her kids spent in the building. Lisa’s attention to detail (…and there is a lot on this building) is really amazing. It’s fun that it is so tiny; you really can put it anywhere – even your pocket. Most of us will have Lisa do our own homes next!”
Heidi S.

“Lisa is dedicated and sincere – and she works hard to deliver a fine product. Lisa captured the essence of our house with the details of her tiny painting. It may be very small, but it contains so many memories of our home in Montréal where we raised our two girls, our newborn son and a puppy — all the joys and all the challenges, too. It is a memory of our life as a family held in the palm of a hand.”
Deena D. Z.

“Our miniature painting by Lisa is such fine work and we love it! The attention she put into the details of our house is remarkable. I loved that Lisa was able to alter a few things (make the shrubbery we had just planted look more substantial, for example) to make the painting look timeless. This is such unique artwork and perfect for gifts.”
Karen A.

“Lisa’s portraits reveal the spirit in each house. There is magic in these charming, meticulous paintings.”
Suzanne T.

“The painting Lisa did of our home is the best present I have ever received. Really! I love it so much – and I don’t let anyone touch it!”
Arielle E.

“Seeing our home painted into artwork opened my eyes to a few of the beautiful details that I had not noticed before. With her precise, clean brushstrokes, Lisa’s artistic skill has enabled me to look at our house beyond the building it is and to appreciate it as a memory-maker of our happy family times spent there. Her use of colour is both realistic and nostalgic, and it lovingly captures the architecture and landscape of our home. Her artwork is truly something to treasure.”
Krista L.

“I asked Lisa to paint one her incredibly lovely miniatures for a client of mine, and she surpassed all expectations. The client adored the finished piece as a wonderful reminder of the home she had left behind – mission accomplished! However, it was the process which I really enjoyed. Lisa is a great communicator, and each step was relayed to keep me informed. Furthermore, I was able to see her studio and understand the unbelievable detail necessary to achieve the effect of her work. Lisa is wonderful, just like her tiny creations.”

Connie D., Real Estate Agent

“I asked Lisa to paint our house as a gift for my husband. He really loved it! We were very impressed with all the little details! I went to her house to see the work in progress. I appreciated that. I framed it and it stands in our entrance hall where all our guests can see it. Thank you, Lisa, for the great work!”
Sophie B.

“I commissioned a miniature painting from Lisa and gave it as a birthday gift to my husband who was thrilled. Even the picture framers pronounced it charming and unique. Her attention to detail and love for her craft are evident.”
Christine C.

“[The mini painting] just arrived and it is truly a work of art, it’s absolutely adorable!!! I will cherish it, as will others when I’m not around any longer – – I absolutely LOVE it and you! Thank you so very much!! xoxo”
Rooney P.

“I chose Lisa Osterland to paint our house as a gift for my wife’s birthday. Lisa asked all the right questions to make sure that the gift was perfect: spring setting, autumn setting, morning light, afternoon light, all those things that as a man, you don’t think of. And just to be on the safe side, Lisa suggested that she paint in the flowers and shrubs after presenting it to my wife, so that my wife could decide on the garden’s final outcome – which certainly took the pressure off me! Needless to say, my wife loved it. Thank you, Lisa!”
Christopher D.

“My niece in Israel was having her Bat Mitzvah and had asked her friends and family to give a donation to a charity of her choice (rather than to receive gifts). This we did, but I really wanted to get her something personal as she is such a great kid! I was coming up blank until I happened upon Lisa’s (pocket paintings) at the Victoria Avenue Art Walk. I knew at once this, indeed, was the perfect gift! A miniature, exact copy of the house in which she was born in and that she left behind when she moved away. My 12-year-old niece was truly delighted with her gift — and all the other members of her family were enchanted as well. Thanks Lisa, I am a big fan of your beautiful work.”

Margaret A.