Lisbon in Us by Luísa Petiz introduces us to a charming young architect and illustrator who captivates us with her open smile and her passionate gaze upon this city — a passion that shines not only through her words but especially through her drawings. Her graphic records capture façades of shops, monuments, and details that enchant her, thus preserving the memory of her city — and ours too.
Lisbon has always been my point of departure and return. I was born here, in 1995, and although I’ve lived in other places, it’s always to this city that I come back, as one returns home.
It’s a city that inspires me every day, both in life and in work. As an architect and illustrator, I find in Lisbon an endless source of shapes, colours, and memories — a blend of past and present that is reflected in my watercolours.
I’ve been painting since I was a child, and Lisbon has always been my greatest inspiration — its views, its hills, its rooftops, and above all, its architecture. I’ve always felt the urge to depict the history of places, to preserve through drawing what often ends up disappearing. The old façades, the worn wooden doors, the broken tiles, the flower boxes — all of this speaks to me of a city full of memory, of which I too am a part.
Through painting, I try to share these stories. I like to believe that my watercolours are a way of capturing the spirit of the city, of eternalising what, with time, tends to fade away.
Lisbon is made up of details, and it is in those details that I find its true beauty.
I began working professionally as a watercolour painter in 2020, while living in Macau. I held several solo exhibitions and found my artistic path. Sometime later, I returned to Lisbon ready to embrace a new project and to continue exploring the connection between architecture and memory. Since then, I’ve taken part in several exhibitions, including a solo show at Armazéns do Chiado, and others at Atelier Natália Gromicho and in a small café in Graça.
I also created my own product line inspired by the tiles of the National Tile Museum, where I now sell part of my work. That connection between heritage and contemporary creation is something that drives me — a way of continuing to be part of the city’s story. I’ve established partnerships with several shops in Lisbon, which allows me to see my work spread across different corners of the city, each with its own identity and memory.
Lisbon is, for me, a space of constant inspiration — a city that welcomes and challenges me, where I find beauty even in imperfections. It’s here that I discover myself as an artist and as a person.
To me, Lisbon is home.
| Lisbon in Us by Luísa Petiz | |
|---|---|
| Mini introduction | Lisboan, architect and watercolour artist. Graduated in Architecture from the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Lisbon (FAUL, 2018), she is currently dedicated to interior design and watercolour illustration, inspired by architecture, travel, and the memory of places. She has lived in Lisbon and Macau, where she held several solo exhibitions and developed a line of original products based on her watercolours, available in shops in both cities. In Lisbon, she is currently developing the project Portraits of Lisbon: A Journey Through Forgotten Memories, dedicated to preserving the urban identity of historic shops. She also creates bespoke works and artistic designs for weddings. 👉 Email contact 👉 Follow her on Instagram |
| An inspiring place | Chiado and the historic centre of Lisbon, where the old façades hold the city’s memories. |
| An unmissable visit | The São Pedro de Alcântara Viewpoint, for its wide view over Lisbon and its historical atmosphere. |
| Her mouth waters with… | Crisps, biscuits, and my mother’s lasagne. |
| A song… | Here comes the sun – Beatles |
| Never miss another article | Subscribe here |
