Naperville, IL Artist Thrives on Depicting Local History from Ambitiously Large Public Murals to Paintings Reflecting the Town's Rural Roots

By Marianne Lisson Kuhn -- Kreger's grocery on Washington street in Naperville. This business has passed down through four generations and is still operating as a Brat and Sausage shop. Scroll down to view more of her work...

Not many families have lived in an area so long that their hometown has named a road after them. But such is the case for Marianne Lisson Kuhn. If you live in or around Naperville, chances are you’ve been up and down Lisson Road numerous times. Marianne’s family resided on farms in that area dating back to the mid-1800s! What’s more, you’ve also driven by her four well-known murals around town recollecting the past and some of its popular businesses.

On the South side of a building at Jackson & Main pedestrians can view her work, “Naperville Loves a Parade” done with three other artists it is 150-feet long and took up to four years to complete waiting for monetary sponsorships to trickle in.

Additionally, drivers can see another one of her murals on the south side of 508 N. Center Street which houses Naperville Art League & Gallery. Designed by Mike Venezia, Marianne executed the painting of his “The World’s Greatest Artists” on the building. “The Way We Were” mural near the Benton & Washington intersection is 80-feet long and 18-feet high requiring scaffolding and even a hydraulic lift to complete!

"World's Greatest Artists" mural on the Naperville Art League & Gallery building at Fifth & Center Street is 67-foot wide and 12-foot-tall featuring 36 famous artists working on their well-known pieces.

Marianne enjoys bringing to life Naperville’s rural past from horses, buggies and tractors to classic farmhouses. Her artwork documents the area’s agricultural roots and more such as in 1864 when the train started rolling into town. She also enjoys painting some of the area's more iconic and contemporary sites particularly along its scenic river walk as well as doing house portraits for owners of the upscale housing Naperville is now known for.

Marianne's mixed-era piece celebrating the 175th anniversary of Naperville shows Joe Naper arriving in town, the arrival of the train in 1864. Main Street's old bridge, and iconic dandelion fountain at the ever-popular river walk.

While studying fashion illustration at College of DuPage, Marianne became adept at pen and ink technique which is now a hallmark of much of her work. In addition to commissions for house portraits, her most popular pieces are those of the river walk, Naperville’s dandelion fountain and horse trough fountain.

Fashion-wise, since that was her first love, she has created five wedding dresses for family including both her daughters. One gown had a 25-foot circumference at the hem!

Now she lives on one acre of land, still in Naperville, painting and creating such things as fairy garden accessories, concrete steppingstones or even bird baths. As long as she’s busy creating things, Marianne is at her happiest.

For house portrait commissions or to purchase Naperville-related artwork, you can find prints of her work at Oswald’s Pharmacy on Washington & Gartner.

More information here: Email: lissonart@yahoo.com; website: www.mariannelissonkuhn.com;

Phone: 630-355-3454

 Overlooking downtown Naperville by Marianne Lisson Kuhn.

  The Jaycee Marina by Marianne Lisson Kuhn.

  Bridge in background and fountain by Marianne Lisson Kuhn.

Century Memorial Chapel by Marianne Lisson Kuhn.

Christmas on the river walk by Marianne Lisson Kuhn.