Lisa Ring

'PARIS OF THE SOUTH' Series

For years, Asheville has boldly billed itself as "The Paris of the South." Pursuing that self-anointed moniker with the eye of the artist, Lisa created nine whimsical, magical and humorus watercolors that vividly pose the question: "How would the great French masters view downtown Asheville?"

► For the artist's statement surrounding her "Paris of the South" series, Click Here>

► Or consider Lisa Ring's extraordinary visual responses, each partnered with a delightful limerick below:

WHAT WOULD DALI THINK?
(Or Dali reflects on his life at Woolworth Walk)

Some think it's pure presumption of you,
To name the Local Artists "Who's Who"…
"I am my own Svengali,"
Asserted Salvador Dali...
"If you're seeking real genius, I'm two!"

Lisa Ring's Original: 22" x 28.5"

CITY HALL & MATISSE
(Or Oh, Henri — Matisse, that is — you are so very sweet on Asheville)

While addressing City Hall, Henri Matisse,
Had his table arranged by his ornery niece.
With a swig from the carafe,
She let out a laugh...
And said, "Ain't that a swell-egant motif?"

Lisa Ring's Original: 18" x 22"

BUSKING FOR RUBLES
(Or take note of mobile musicians at Mobilia)

In homage to Chagall, jealous Ophilia,
Joined comrades at the entrance to Mobilia
Amidst upscale furnishings,
Supplied symphonic flourishings,
Rivaling Stentour the Greek's sesquabidilia.

Lisa Ring's Original: 20" x 27.5"

BANANA DANCING
(Or Josey creates peals of laughter at the Asheville Civic Center)

With a bearing both sensual and empirious,
Josephine Baker is exotic and mysterious.
Her Grande Dame savior faire,
Leaves fans gasping for air…
She wowed the crowd, leaving them delirious!

Lisa Ring's Original: 18.25" x 24"

NEKKID AND PROUD
(Or the lawyers loosen up)

"The Drhumor Building," said Rousseau aloud,
"Houses a staid and litigious crowd...
My dream to embellish,"
He said with wry relish,
"With a Wahine who's Nekkid and Proud."

Lisa Ring's Original: 21" x 28"

Note: Drhumor is pronounced "drummer."

OFF WITH HER HEAD!
(Or Mona Lisa cops a dew at Kim’s Magical Wig Shop)

For both the low-brow and the high and the mighty,
Like Queen Nefertiti, Frida Kahlo & Aphrodite…
The one place to stop,
Kim's magical Wig shop!
For perukes, by Jukes, they'll delight ye!

Lisa Ring's Original: 21" x 23.5"

SCANDAL AND THE MADAME
(Or John Singer Sargent's Madame X arouses the Grove Arcade)

So notorious wherever she goes,
Madame X strikes such a scandalous pose:
One strap down! How risqué!
Displaying décolleté!
At the Grove Arcade, it's Madame Gautreau!

Lisa Ring's Original: 18.5" x 24.5" SOLD

(Additional Note: Although Lisa Ring's ORIGINAL painting of "Scandal and the Madame" has been sold, there are a limited number of quality prints that are signed and still available.)

WHO’S IN CHARGE HERE?
(Or why it's not all work with Gauguin at the Public Works Building)

"Who's in charge here?" queried Paul Gauguin,
"Where are we going? I can't give a damn!
On a Tahitian isle,
I'll while in style...
And in Public Work on my tropical tan!"

Lisa Ring's Original: 23.5" x 28"

TOULOUSE’S GIRLS AT THE S&W
(Or how Toulouse-Lautrec gets lucky at the S&W)

Toulouse's girls at the old S. and W.,
There's nudity, but don't let that trouble you.
No prudish need for disdain,
Or call them "demimondaine,"
They're there to amuse, confuse and to cuddle you!

Lisa Ring's Original: 18" x 25"