Lisa Ackerman (formerly Jordan) has been an artist from an early age. Growing up in a blue collar family in rural Illinois, she lived for school Field Trips to the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Art where she experienced art that lit her soul on fire. Though money was tight, she always had access to crayons, paper, and later the tools, nails, and wood in the barn. In absence of those, her hands would make mud and twigs her art supplies. Creativity was her constant companion. 

Now in her 50s, Ackerman finds art to be her respite, her voice, the thing that creates purpose in her life. She finds inspiration in nature and her work reflects the many colors and textures found there, whether she is painting, felting, photographing, or more recently, creating paper collage from monoprinted papers.

She reached a supportive base of arts appreciators worldwide by marketing her work online through her blog Lil Fish Studios, and by identifying individuals and groups supportive of the arts in her area. She was the Executive and Artistic Director of The Crossing Arts Alliance in Brainerd MN for over 9 years and had the pleasure of connecting with hundreds of artists through that administrative role. She is a connector, encourager, and advocate for those interested in the arts and exploring their creativity.

Her work has appeared in magazines such as Fiber Art Now, Brides Magazine, Rug Hooking Magazine, and Handspun; in a number of craft books by Lark Books which showcased her sewn felt projects; and in venues such as the gift shop at The Walker Art Center, The Sheldon Museum of Art's shop, and in Art-o-mat machines across the country. 

These days she’s organizing pop-up art markets, helping people find their artistic medium through exploratory art sessions, teaching workshops, and finding inspiration in her pollinator garden for her paper illustration work.

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