Don Lisy was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and creates his art as if revolting against the Midwest sensibilities that dominate the critical and popular mind sets of his hometown.

Each of Don’s works are created in one session. By immediately succumbing to the emotional energy that inspires his work, Don feels he is best able to represent that emotion if he can complete the work before the feeling dissipates. Each resulting work is more of a self portrait of an emotional event rather than an image concerned with aesthetics. Don attended the Cleveland Institute of Art where he studied Printmaking and Painting. Don’s work has been compared to the New York school of action painters, however, Don’s work is not derivative from any one school.

Don’s first visit to New York City was in December 1993. Over the years he often returned to NYC for group exhibitions and also performances with his band. In the spring of 2010, Don left family and friends in Cleveland and made the move to Brooklyn where he continued to dedicate himself to his own personal artistic vision. His work has been exhibited across the United States and internationally in Germany, Italy and Spain.

After a decade in New York, a desire to reconnect with family and friends somehow took root. Lisy returned to Cleveland in November 2019. During the winter 2019-2020 Lisy returned to Manhattan for two exhibitions in December and February.