INSIDE THE STUDIO: MEET LISA TOLLNER
Where Professional Practice Meets Creative Play. Discover the story behind Aluminary Arts and the artist guiding your creative journey.
Every great piece of art begins with a willingness to explore. Aluminary Arts was founded in Northern California as a dual haven: a working professional fine art studio and a welcoming creative hub with beginners in mind. Our studio functions as an active laboratory where techniques are demystified, and anyone - from absolute beginners to seasoned artists, can engage with the profound joy of making.
The Artist Behind the Easel
Lisa Tollner is the driving creative force, resident artist, and primary instructor at Aluminary Arts. Driven by a lifelong engagement with creative arts, Lisa’s professional work is sought after by interior design firms and fine art collectors. Her unique background of 35 years in design, branding, and visual storytelling gives her a sophisticated understanding of how color and texture transform its surroundings. This structural expertise directly shapes her artwork—allowing her to compress massive atmospheric energy, geographical histories, and hidden personal narratives into meaningful works of art.
Why Learn with Me?
I believe that the hardest part of making art is simply giving yourself permission to try. When you step into an evening workshop at Aluminary Arts, you aren’t walking into a strict academic lecture—you are stepping into a vibrant, low-pressure creative escape.
My goal for our single-evening classes is to strip away the intimidation of high-end art mediums. I provide absolute beginners with premium, professional-grade materials I use for my own exhibition pieces, guiding you step-by-step through the tactile fun of creating. Whether we are scraping paint with palette knives or embedding vintage text into a mixed media collage, you will leave my studio with a finished piece, a glass of wine well-spent, and a newfound sense of creative confidence.
Mindfulness Guide
Hi, I’m Cristin Laccabue—I have a background as a certified life coach, sound healer, and mindfulness guide. I work with Lisa at Aluminary Arts to help people reconnect with their creativity, inner calm, and authentic expression.
By blending guided mindfulness practices, I support participants in quieting the busy mind and accessing the intuitive, imaginative right side of the brain. My approach is both nurturing and empowering, offering a welcoming space where self-discovery, inspiration, and personal growth can naturally unfold.
Mindfulness Techniques:
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The soothing resonance of Sacred Sound Bowls
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Breathwork
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Meditation