Lisa is from Cochiti Pueblo and is the granddaughter of Seferina Ortiz, who was Lisa's mentor, as was her mother, Juanita Ortiz, and her uncle, Virgil Ortiz. Harlan also learned pottery making from Lisa's family members. Lisa makes the pottery and Harlan paints them. 
Their work has been described as traditional Cochiti and Santo Domingo (Kewa) pottery with a contemporary twist.