Lisa Johnston Hancock
Long Beach,CA
Summary
Children's author-illustrator and experienced workshop facilitator, passionate about working with students on engaging art and writing activities. Expert at designing interactive, curriculum-based presentations for grades K-5 to foster a love for reading, illustrating and storytelling.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Studio Administrator
Belmont Music Studio
Long Beach, CA
02.2025 - Current
- Assisted in scheduling and coordinating music lessons for students and instructors.
- Managed student enrollment processes, ensuring accurate record-keeping and documentation.
- Supported administrative tasks, including answering phone calls and responding to inquiries.
- Contributed to marketing efforts by promoting studio events through social media platforms.
- Facilitated communication between students, parents, and instructors to enhance customer satisfaction.
Art Instructor & Owner
Shore Art Club
Long Beach, CA
09.2024 - 05.2025
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans to enhance student learning experiences.
- Delivered instructional materials using various teaching methods to accommodate diverse learning styles.
- Assessed student progress through regular evaluations and provided constructive feedback for improvement.
- Facilitated classroom discussions encouraging critical thinking and active participation among students.
- Utilized educational technology tools to streamline lesson delivery and improve engagement.
- Organized extracurricular activities promoting skill development beyond the classroom setting.
- Boosted student performance by providing individualized support and targeted feedback.
- Organized Art Exhibition at the end of the session.
Art Instructor
Art 4 Kids
Long Beach, CA
01.2023 - 05.2023
- Developed engaging lesson plans to enhance creativity and artistic skills in students.
- Facilitated art workshops, fostering a supportive and collaborative learning environment.
- Integrated various art techniques and media to diversify educational experiences for children.
- Assessed student progress, providing constructive feedback to improve artistic abilities.
Art Instructor
The Mobile Museum of Art
Mobile, AL
06.2015 - 06.2018
- Implemented classroom management strategies to maintain a focused and productive atmosphere during sessions.
- Adapted instructional methods based on individual student needs, ensuring inclusive participation in all activities.
- Led after-school programs focused on specific artistic disciplines such as pottery or photography, offering additional opportunities for student growth outside of regular class hours.
- Planned and delivered lessons to teach classes in Ceramics, Drawing and Painting to engage and educate students.
Assistant Professor
The University of South Alabama
Mobile, AL
09.2014 - 05.2016
- Developed and implemented innovative course materials for Art Appreciation and Perceptual Drawing 1 & 2
- Conducted research on educational methodologies, contributing to departmental publications and presentations.
- Evaluated student performance through assessments, ensuring consistent grading practices across courses.
- Utilized digital tools for course management, improving communication and resource accessibility for students.
- Built strong rapport with students through class discussions and academic advisement.
Assistant Professor
John Tyler Community College
Midlothian, VA
09.2012 - 05.2013
- Developed and implemented innovative course materials for Drawing 1 & 2 and Watercolor 1 & 2.
- Built strong rapport with students through class discussions and academic advisement.
- Evaluated student performance through comprehensive assessments, identifying areas of improvement and providing targeted feedback for growth.
- Maintained an up-to-date knowledge of subject matter by attending conferences, workshops, and webinars relevant to the field of study.
Assistant Professor
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Richmond, VA
08.2010 - 05.2013
- Developed and implemented innovative course materials for Art Appreciation, Design 1, Painting 1 & 2, Drawing 1 & 2, Figure Drawing, Intro to Digital Photography 1 & 2.
- Collaborated with faculty members to design interdisciplinary programs that align with university objectives.
- Evaluated student performance through comprehensive assessments, identifying areas of improvement and providing targeted feedback for growth.
- Maintained an up-to-date knowledge of subject matter by attending conferences, workshops, and webinars relevant to the field of study.
- Contributed to campus activities to promote positive university image. Helped organize an art show of student work at the end of each semester.
Assistant Professor
Virginia Commonwealth University, VCU
Richmond, VA
09.2012 - 01.2013
- Developed and implemented innovative course materials for 2D Design secondary practicum.
- Built strong rapport with students through class discussions and academic advisement.
- Utilized digital tools for course management, improving communication and resource accessibility for students.
- Evaluated student performance through assessments, ensuring consistent grading practices across courses.
- Assessed students' progress and provided feedback to enhance learning.
Assistant to Professor
Virginia Commonwealth University, VCU
Richmond, VA
08.2010 - 01.2011
- Coordinated classroom activities for secondary practicum students.
- Developed and maintained efficient filing systems to ensure easy access to important documents.
- Provided administrative support by preparing reports, presentations, and correspondence with precision and attention to detail.
Art Instructor
Mcgill Toolen Catholic High School
Mobile, AL
08.2007 - 05.2010
- Organized art exhibitions, showcasing student work to encourage pride and community involvement.
- Collaborated with parents to discuss student development and promote ongoing artistic engagement at home.
- Created and delivered lessons through face-to-face learning and fulfilled requirements of district's curriculum program.
- Managed budgets for art supplies while maintaining high-quality materials accessible for all students throughout the year.
- Served as monitor for the after school Art Club and National Art Honors Society.
Education
M.F.A - Painting
The Savannah College of Art and Design
Savannah, GA01.2006
B.F.A - Photography
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL01.2002
Art History & Photography
New York University
Madrid, Spain01.2001
Skills
- Proficient in Procreate, Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator
- Proficient in creating thumbnails and layout sketches as it relates to storyboarding for picture books
- Experience creating vector illustrations for food companies and bands
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent visual and conceptual skills to solve problems and create solutions for composition and design
- Experience with typography as it applies to logo design and book layouts
- Proficient in traditional media; oils, watercolor, acrylic, acryl gouache, pastel, charcoal, oil pastel, various ink painting methods and ink drawing
- Proficient in photography elements of design; editing and retouching, composing, photo research use of DSLR digital camera
- Expertise in working as a team with editors and art directors to create books designed for K-8 learning
- Excellent customer service skills, friendly and detail oriented
Timeline
Studio Administrator
Belmont Music Studio
02.2025 - Current
Art Instructor & Owner
Shore Art Club
09.2024 - 05.2025
Art Instructor
Art 4 Kids
01.2023 - 05.2023
Art Instructor
The Mobile Museum of Art
06.2015 - 06.2018
Assistant Professor
The University of South Alabama
09.2014 - 05.2016
Assistant Professor
John Tyler Community College
09.2012 - 05.2013
Assistant Professor
Virginia Commonwealth University, VCU
09.2012 - 01.2013
Assistant Professor
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
08.2010 - 05.2013
Assistant to Professor
Virginia Commonwealth University, VCU
08.2010 - 01.2011
Art Instructor
Mcgill Toolen Catholic High School
08.2007 - 05.2010
B.F.A - Photography
The University of Alabama
Art History & Photography
New York University
M.F.A - Painting
The Savannah College of Art and Design
Leadership
- Authors and Illustrators Night at Lowell Elementary, Chairperson 2023-2026
- Watercolor and Graphic Arts Society of Mobile; President 2018-19
- The Jepson Center for the Arts, Savannah, GA Lead Instructor; Outreach 2006
Selected Exhibitions
- Bay Area Art Educators Exhibition Mobile Museum of Art, Mobile AL 2018
- Art 251 Teacher’s Show, Mobile Arts Council Mobile, AL 2018
- Water Ways Smithsonian Exhibition, 5 Rivers Delta, Spanish Fort Alabama 2017
- The Art of Teaching, USA Visual Arts Faculty Exhibition, Eastern Shore Arts Center, Fairhope, AL 2015
- The People’s Portrait Project, The Visual Arts Center of Richmond, Richmond, VA 2012
- A Retrospective: Solo Show, The University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 2010
- Impressions of Nature: Featured Artist, Robertson Gallery, Mobile AL 2009
- Generation X: Post-Boomers of the South, The Mobile Museum of Art, Mobile, AL 2008
- International Juried Exhibition, One Fine Art Gallery, Chicago, IL 2006
Related Experience
- Faculty Presenter - Procreate Intensive - SCBWI SoCal Harvest Writers and Illustrators Day 2023
- The Mobile Museum of Art, Mobile, AL; Guest Curator and Artist for Generation X: Post Boomers of the South 2008
- Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA; Graduate Teaching Assistantship for Materials and Techniques 2006
- Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA; Graduate Teaching Assistantship for Classical Rendering 2006
Awards & Acknowledgements
- Featured Illustration on Kidlit 411 blog 2022
- Featured on Wonder of Words blog for illustrated book Yellow Speckled Blackbird 2020
- Featured spot illustration in SCBWI bulletin 2019,
- Best of Show for “Star Crossed Lovers” Naturally Inspired, a juried exhibition at Marnee’s Studio, Mobile, AL 2018,
- Best in Show for Sea Turtle Interior, Water Ways Smithsonian Exhibition at 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center 2018,
- Lagniappe Magazine, Mobile, AL article written about my solo show titled “Family land form artistic foundation” by Kevin Lee 2017
- LODA Sidewalk Arts Competition Chalk Champ 2016
- Mobile Press Register, Mobile, AL for Solo Exhibition at the University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 2010
- Lagniappe Magazine, Mobile, AL article for “Impressions of Nature” a group exhibition at the Robertson Gallery, Mobile, AL 2009
- Fellowship from the Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA 2004-2006