I personally find it a lot easier to work on briefs for La La Land rather than making my own. At least for La La Land I can check in with the creatives and see if what I'm doing is to their taste or in line with their vision for the concept. When its just for me it can be really difficult to realize whether I love or hate where the work is heading or to be able to tell whether it's done or not. I'm definitely my own worst critic!
How does your own style differ to La la Land's in-house Lilly?
For La La Land I like to experiment and explore lots of different styles whether its detailed realistic painting or abstract or slightly amateur. When it comes to working on my own stuff, I normally lean towards something with a lot of detail or texture. I really enjoy getting stuck into that sort of stuff and when its for myself as I can afford to spend the time exploring it. Whereas when its work, I have to ration out time for each project so can't always spend the time I'd like to on one illustration.
Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
I have so many it'd be hard to list them all, but currently I love seeing what Celeste Byers gets up to. She's an American multi-disciplinary artist who spreads awareness for the environment through bright colourful murals, illustrations, and workshops, and I just love her work and seeing where it takes her around the world whilst working towards a postive cause.
Which other La La Land artist is your fav and why?
I love Jessica Watt's work. She's new to La La Land and has a really cool style. I adore her colour palettes and use of collage mixed with painting.
What La La Land artwork are you most proud of?
I really like my newest Australian Botanicals series which we applied to so many different products but in different variations such as single plates, plate sets, tea towels, baubles, mugs, calendars to name a few. Its also probably the most similar to my own personal style out of all the artworks I've created for La La Land but I just really like how I can use so many different parts and elements of it to apply onto alternate products.
Lilly's desk featuring our 2018 Australiana Calendar and
Ruby & May Protea card Olivia York's Cockatoo Mug
Is it surprising which artworks sell compared to others? Is it usually what you would think?
The majority of popular sellers tend to be Australian themed so its always safe to work by that concept. However, I was very surprised to see how well the Music Royalty plates sold as we haven't really done anything like that before so it was a bit of a risk. You just never know sometimes!
How much time do you spend on a computer compared to on paper or canvas?
Oh this is a sad answer but I probably all up spend about 80% of my time on the computer. I have a Cintiq at work which I use for practically everything. It also cuts my work time in half compared to working by hand. But I do like to try and pull out a pen and paper for warm-ups, problem-solving and mapping out initial layouts. You'll always find half worked out concepts or illustration designs drawn on the back of scrap paper on my desk. When I'm at home I like to pull out my pencils or paints and get back to my traditional illustration roots - sadly it's not as often as I'd like.
If you weren't at La la Land what would be your dream job?
La La Land comes pretty damn close to being my dream job as I get to draw and create illustrations most days whilst working to support other artists and illustrators! My ultimate dream job would be doing what I'm doing now but from the comfort of my own studio in the bush or by the beach and with a bit more time for freelance work too!
If you could bring back one artist who would it be and why?
Gustav Klimt or Alphonse Mucha - If only I could get a master class in illustration and design from either of these artistic giants my life would be complete!