Lisa Frost, 38

By Lorna Collier

It was 1996, and 26-year-old Lisa Frost had just moved back to Rockford after working as an art teacher in the Chicago suburbs. Frost was so happy to be living in her hometown again that she decided to go on a one-woman campaign for the city of Rockford. She created a sign saying “Rockford Holds the World Together,” featuring bold and bright images of the city, including pictures of nuts and screws to celebrate its manufacturing heritage. She posted copies anywhere she could—coffee shops, grocery stores, telephone poles.

“I know it sounds corny, and people laughed at me—even my own family,” Frost says. “But I was just happy and proud to be a Rockfordian. I was on a mission.”

Today, 38-year-old Frost is an artist becoming internationally known for her vibrant and whimsical acrylic paintings, banners, greeting cards and other creations. She still believes in Rockford, with no plans to move, and continues to give back to the community.

Frost was “always the artsy kid” growing up. Painting “has always been in my blood—it’s my true passion; it’s like breathing,” she says. She went to Boylan High School and graduated from Northern Illinois University with an art education degree.

After college, Frost taught art, first in Oswego, and then in Rockford at Barbour and King elementary schools, working with more than 500 students each week. She discovered she loved teaching, and in 1999, 21st Century magazine named her one of its 20 U.S. teachers of the year. With two young daughters, Frost decided to shift her focus to full-time art-making in 2004—a move that has resulted in a burgeoning career.

Frost recently signed an international licensing deal with Silvestri Co., which starting next year will market, manufacture and distribute her holiday-themed items (including platters, mugs, cookie jars and stockings) to retailers around the world.

She also sells prints and personalized greeting cards through her Web site, lisafroststudio.com, which has attracted customers from around the world—including the vice president of Taiwan.

Locally, Frost’s works can be seen at Wonderland Books & Toys (where she also teaches art classes for children), Kiki B’s Bistro, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center and the Red Cross homeless shelter. (Frost often donates art to local nonprofits.)

Besides her painting, Frost has another passion: giving back to the community.

Each Veteran’s Day weekend in November, she organizes an annual charity art show, called Frost and Friends. The show includes about a dozen area artists and vendors, in addition to Frost. The admission fee goes toward art scholarships for local high-schoolers. This year, Frost gave seven students a total of $3,500.

Frost has been a Junior League of Rockford member for 10 years and is a former president of the organization. At the May Designer Showcase home tour, she ran a class for children to create portraits of their mothers. She also serves on the board at the Discovery Center Museum, where she gives “Messy Monday” classes to children. Last year, as part of a Discovery Center event, she won a celebrity cake decorating contest with Food Network star Duff Goldman.

“My motto is bring it, give it and live it,” Frost says. “I’m going to bring all I’ve got, give back in meaningful ways, and live it by following my dreams.”