Nestled in the heart of Versalles, one of Puerto Vallarta’s most creative and fast-evolving neighborhoods, Barrio Bistro has become more than a local favorite—it’s a gathering place for artists, food lovers, and dreamers. Over lunch at this iconic spot, I sat down with Lisa Buckley, a talented muralist and mixologist whose colorful creations are brightening homes and businesses across the bay.
Interview by Isaac Del Rio
Location: Barrio Bistro, Versalles, Puerto Vallarta
Introducing Lisa Buckley
Isaac Del Rio (IDR):
So I am here at Barrio Bistro, a restaurant in the colonia (neighborhood) of Versalles in Puerto Vallarta having lunch with a very talented mural artist. Hi Lisa, please introduce yourself, and please tell me where you’re originally from.
Lisa Buckley (LB):
Hi. My name is Lisa Buckley, and originally from Henrietta, just south of Rochester, New York, USA.
Journey to Puerto Vallarta
IDR:
So what’s your story? How did you get to PV?
LB:
I arrived here in PV in 2012 from San Francisco, CA. Well, technically, in Yelapa (a small little town only accessible by hiking, boat or water taxi). I spent my first five years there.
I ended up here because I did the crazy thing and bought a little bar & restaurant and some Casitas to rent out in Yelapa. I did that for five years with my wonderful business partner, Nancy Meyers, who was a Pilates instructor. Still is at Rio Cuale Wellness Center, and so we did live music, Pilates, yoga retreats, and then I moved to Puerto Vallarta full time in 2019 or thereabout, I’ve been here ever since.
Life in Vallarta
IDR:
So which colonia do you live in now?
LB:
I live in Cinco de Diciembre, and I work in Versalles, my two favorite colonias!
A Home with Heart
IDR:
Okay, and tell me about your home, because I know that it is the epitome of a little charming Mexican home.
LB:
Oh, my home is interesting. Back when my husband, Lombardo, was still alive, he was local and was from Yelapa, and he knew so many people from here, and has deep history here.
And one day, he’s like, “I want to show you something.” And we were talking about moving here, it’s like, okay, and we walk into this building — it was an old abandoned taqueria. It’s been abandoned for seven years, and it was nothing but some light bulbs on a string and a faucet hanging out of the wall.
And I walked in the door and said, I love it. And I had the vision. And that’s when he told me he knew he really loved me.
We proceeded to take that baby and work it over. It became our COVID project. We ended up remodeling the taqueria and making it our home over the next couple years, and that’s where to this day I still live.
On Her Mural Aesthetic
IDR:
Okay, so what is your mural esthetic? Because I know that you have everything from graffiti to like ultra realism, to Diego Rivera, where they tell a historical narrative. Yes, what is your mural esthetic?
LB:
My mural is, you know, I think my esthetic is, and how the whole project kind of came about. I’ve always been a painter.
I was working on a condo on Palm Springs here in Versalles for a friend of mine and needed to give it that edge. It was an older building. It just needed a pop of color. And she’s like, “Lisa, you do wonderful art. Just throw your art in there.”
Well, we’re talking about a lot of money for canvas and paint and a lot of time, and I did not have that kind of time. And I thought, well, I got paint. Why don’t I just paint on the wall?
So I guess my esthetic is realizing that you can take some architectural shapes and some tropical botanicals that you recognize here, and I decided to take those and drop them into a space. I work with a lot of negative space. I don’t like it to look like wallpaper as much, and I like to just drop in a feeling. So you walk into a room, and you get the vibe, you’re like, I feel like I’m in Mexico.
And honestly, with a lot of these new build outs and white walls that we’re all dealing with, we need a little love of Mexico, and I can easily put that in without costing clients a lot of money and not busy detail work and just give it a nice vibe and make it attractive.
IDR:
Yes, I do and I do agree that your esthetic goes great with all the new construction, the new buildings that are very minimalistic and modern and simple. I think your esthetic is perfect for that.
LB:
Thank you.
Creative Process
IDR:
Tell me about your process.
LB:
You know, I actually love my process. My process is the favorite part.
I have a bio (with portfolio) and I meet with a potential client. I want to see the space and I usually immediately get a vibe. I look around, I look at what objects they have, what colors they have and we start talking about it.
I have them look at my bio and say, “What intrigues you, what shapes or styles or what do I have here that you like?” Then we talk about color palette, and I go from there.
And honestly, this is when, for me, the most work happens is over that next few days, because I literally eat, sleep and breathe the project and mull it over in my brain and think about it, and take that color palette and twist it and look at different designs and come up with a couple mock ups, and bring those back to the client, and then they’re usually like, “Yep, let’s roll with it,” and then there we go.
Murals and Mediums
IDR:
So how many murals have you done so far here in Puerto Vallarta?
LB:
Well, this is a very new business for me. It’s only been a couple years. I probably have done about 12 to 15 professional jobs.
IDR:
Okay, and I know you touched on painting. What other kinds of mediums of art do you work with?
LB:
Oh, I love mixed media. I am obsessed with collaging. I’m obsessed with taking recyclables and making them into art — that was huge for me. Back in San Francisco, I was the weirdo that had the giant bag of toilet tissue tubes, tabasco bottles and made like avant garde lighting with wax out of them.
I made chandeliers out of straws, paper umbrellas, parasols, things I collected. I’m very obsessed with mixed media and like working them into my project — that goes more into my canvas work. I haven’t figured out how to put that in the wall art yet, but someday I will figure it out.
Inspiration and Influences
IDR:
So who’s your favorite artist that has really influenced you?
LB:
That’s really hard… I have to say it’s not one artist. I think I’m very influenced by street art. I’m very influenced by graffiti.
I love political art. I love Banksy and he has a lot to say.
IDR:
Yes, Banksy is a great example.
LB:
I love minimalism, even though my art is not minimalistic. I love people that express and use unusual mediums to bring a story. I love collage art. I love clip art.
It’s hard to say. I really can’t limit to one artist.
Day Job
IDR:
And do you have, quote unquote, a day job?
LB:
I do have a day job. It’s actually the job I’ve had for my entire life. I’m a mixologist and work at a place called Coco Machete in Versalles.
I work during the days and do a lot of their prep. We do a lot of beautiful, handcrafted cocktails where we make everything from scratch — from our juices to our syrups and everything. And that’s kind of my wheelhouse.
I run the happy hour for them, which is brilliant, because at this phase in life, it still keeps me in tune with energy and people. And I love meeting people, and I love meeting people that come into the neighborhood. I’ve always been someone who has hosted tourists and guests, and it’s something that I love to do, so I guess that would be my day job.
IDR:
And when is happy hour?
LB:
Well, it changes seasonally. We’re just finishing up summer, but we’re going to be going into winter, and I believe it’s going to be Tuesday through Sunday, from 2:00 through 6pm. Don’t hold me to that though, as we do tweak things as the season goes along.
Where to Find Lisa’s Work
IDR:
Okay. So what is the best way for people to see your work and get in touch with you?
LB:
I have a website. I have Jungle Studios — it is my Instagram, jungle_studios. I also have one of those QR codes, because apparently that’s what all the kids are doing these days, and I’m on Facebook.
Best way to contact me is Facebook or message me through WhatsApp.
Final Thoughts
IDR:
Is there anything else you would like to say that I haven’t asked?
LB:
I absolutely love Vallarta. I found it to be the most inspiring, beautiful place when I moved here. Gosh, 13 years ago, best move I could have made. My creativity has exploded, and it’s all due to this beautiful, beautiful city.
Lightning Round
IDR:
And now we have a lightning round.
LB:
Oh, no, I thought that was the lightning round. [laughs]
IDR:
No, this was created by the author of our newsletter, Mark Beckham Campero, and here we go.
What makes you happy?
LB:
The beach.
IDR:
What do you like to do to unwind and relax?
LB:
Oh, my God, I have to say, smoke some pot and walk on the beach. Sorry.
IDR:
That’s fine.
LB:
Oh, and eat some fabulous food and have some good wine too.
IDR:
What is your favorite restaurant?
LB:
Oh, that’s a tough one, but I must tell you, Barrio Bistro is my mainstay. I celebrated my birthday here their first year of business, back when this neighborhood was nothing. I love and appreciate what Memo Wulff has done here and the history that he brings to the table, and I’m a 100% supporter.
IDR:
Interestingly enough, that’s where we’re doing the interview today.
LB:
Yeah, it is. We just had lunch. It’s fabulous.
IDR:
What is your secret local tip?
LB:
Be kind, be nice and always smile and use your damn Spanish.
IDR:
What is your favorite thing about living in Bahia de Banderas?
LB:
Being close to the ocean and wonderful people here. I cannot tell you enough. I cannot speak enough about the culture here and the lovely people here.
IDR:
Dogs or cats?
LB:
Oh, kitties. I love my doggies, but I’m a kitty girl.
IDR:
Beach or pool?
LB:
Beach.
IDR:
Tequila or Mezcal?
LB:
Depends on the day. But well, as you know, all tequila and raicilla is mezcal. I am a raicilla girl, but I love my tequila, and I love my mezcal. So let’s go agave, all the way.
IDR:
Flip flops or sandals?
LB:
Neither. Come on, take care of your feet, people. We gotta walk better around here. Get yourself some proper agronomic shoes, ogronomic… or ergonomic… origami… ergonomic!
IDR:
Origami shoes! Get some origami!
LB:
Make a bunch of paper!
IDR:
All right, all right. Let’s get back on track. Final question — Sayulita or San Pancho?
LB:
Oh, San Pancho, 100%. I love San Francisco of the South. I’m into the art scene there, which I love. San Pancho all the way.
IDR:
All right. Well, thank you, Lisa, very much, and I hope everybody enjoys this on our newsletter. And saludos from sunny Puerto Vallarta!
For more details about artist Lisa Buckley:
Facebook: @LisaSF4
Instagram: @jungle_studios
WhatsApp: (+1) 415-216-6165