Mother, artist, feminist. Lisa Todd is a successful interior designer turned artist.
Lisa had been working as a successful interior designer for the best part of two decades when a tragic accident changed her life. A broken sun lounger at a spa triggered cervical dystonia, a neuromuscular condition causing involuntary contraction of the neck muscles and reduced motor function. As a result, she gave up a career that included high-profile commissions such as designing Princess Margaret’s former home.
Rediscovering a love for painting at a local art class she began a new chapter as an artist and designer. This was a career-change that allowed her to adjust to living with cervical dystonia. Lisa creates abstract prints and patterns influenced by her South African childhood and her late father’s Australian heritage. She prints her work onto surfaces including rugs, cushions, trays, mugs and fabrics. She regularly collaborates with female African artists focusing on beading and Zulu telephone wire creations.
Lisa lives in Windsor with her daughter and husband.
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Infrequently asked questions:
Describe your lockdown in three words?
Stifling, frightening and creative
Do you have a favourite cocktail?
Pimm’s with mint and lots of fruit
Who are your dream dinner party guests?
David Bowie, The Obamas, Michael Macintyre, Lenny Henry, Joanna Lumley, my mum and David Hockney
Favourite colour?
Turquoise
What did you want to be when you were little?
An interior designer. I used to draw all over the phone book because it had gorgeous ‘onion skin’ paper
Where is your favourite place in the world?
Nothing beats landing at Cape Town airport in South Africa after an overnight flight and seeing, from the window, the wonderful view of the Nile irrigation scheme where the Blue Nile meets the White Nile
Favourite Lisa Todd Designs product?
The favourite product I have designer and created are my trays. The trays are ten layers of birchwood laminated with an organic melamine finish. The first time I watched them float in a swimming pool was a real thrill
Who is your artistic idol?
The British abstract painter Gillian Ayers
What do you listen to when you’re working?
Graceland by Paul Simon
What is your dream project?
I would love to one day design a complete interior- including my own flooring, fabrics and furnishings
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