Welcome!
I'm Lisa Hsia, an independent writer and artist. This is my personal/creative blog and hub website. To see more of my work, explore the sidebar below.
Until April 2012, I'd lived all 30 of my years in California, but my husband and I are now traveling the world.
Current location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Keep in touch
Follow me here
- or send me a message at satsumabug@gmail.com
Explore the blog
-
Most recent posts
Topics
Search
Artist statement (2012)
Selected works
Chickens (2011)
The Sketchbook Project (2010)
Category Archives: frustrations
Growing pains / inappropriate comparisons
Don’t give up. Just keep doing the work. No comparisons. Continue reading
I miss mastery
I miss the piano. I miss being that good at something. Continue reading
Feeling my way through
I got an icky feeling and came here to write it out. It took me two days and six drafts. In the end, it seems to be another version of the same lesson I’ve been learning for months: I am myself, and that also means other people are themselves too. It is okay. Continue reading
Posted in frustrations
Tagged authenticity, comparisons, compassion, discomfort, emotions, growth, know thyself, self-doubt
14 Comments
Army of me
I had an idea but it didn’t come out well. Here’s the attempt. Continue reading
Posted in frustrations
Tagged collages, figures, paintings, photoshop, self-portraits, watercolor
14 Comments
“This movie doesn’t like you”*
It always startles me when something I love gets really mixed reviews. I used to take it personally, but it’s happened enough times now that I think I’d better just get used to it — it’s bound to come out in my own work too. Continue reading
Posted in frustrations
Tagged art, away we go, personal, privilege, reviewers, reviews, taking it personally, the emperor's children
12 Comments
My “artistic temperament” and my parents
A tense day with the family makes me wonder if I need to finally explain to them what I’m doing with my life. Continue reading
Posted in frustrations
Tagged about me, artistic temperament, creative work, family, how's work, parents, talking about work, what do you do
35 Comments
They Came to Play and gender frustration
I watch a lovely documentary on amateur pianists, and riff irritably on my frustrations at the challenges facing women. Continue reading
Posted in frustrations
Tagged amateur, art, competition, documentary, don't despair!, frustration, gender, motherhood, movies, piano, they came to play, van cliburn, women
20 Comments








