Interview with illustrator Lilly Piri
We are starting the week with the absolutely beautiful work of artist and illustrator Lilly Piri. Many of you have probably heard of her work, or even met Lilly at the recent Finders Keepers markets in Brisbane.
Lilly and her talented artist/illustrator husband recently relocated from Germany to the Gold Coast. After many years of drawing a desk that her Grandmother gave her, and sending her work out into the world, Lilly has been featured on more than one occasion in Frankie, Harpers Bazaar and the Semi-Permanent books.
Her delicate drawings are often for private commissions, but also for Lilly’s own entertainment. The large range of goodies in her online store now includes prints, postcards, stickers, and wooden animals. These cute little animals may have inspired Lilly at some point, and after thinking about them for some time, has decided to create them.
Visit Lilly at her stall at The Village Markets on the Gold Coast this Sunday, 18th December. And for more of Lilly’s artwork and creations, pop over to her blog, website or online store.
How have you got to where you are today?
Well, like most people, I started drawing at a very young age, but I just never quit! While I was studying art and illustration, I submitted my work to a lot of design magazines, websites, and some art shows. I got lucky and people seemed to like my work enough to pay for it. That’s how it all began!
In a few words, describe yourself…
Curious, quiet, nature lover, daydreamer.
What are you spending your time on at the moment?
Mostly my etsy shop, a few portraits, fiddling around with my woodwork, and looking for part time work!
Do you have a ritual for getting into the creative mindset? Or a creative process?
It’s not really a ritual, but I do like my desk to be clean and tidy before I begin something new.
What or who inspires you?
Natural history museums, art museums, vintage toys, animals, insects and nature.
I also have a big collection of books, vintage children’s books, folk art, toys, mythology, artist books, classics, and much more. Books are my Achilles’ heel!
Artists who really inspire me, at the moment, off the top of my head, are Lindsey Carr, APAK, Bec Winnel, Beci Orpin, and my husband, Heiko Windisch.
What are you most proud of?
Every so often, I get very nice emails from people who are moved by my work, or someone will see my work in person and be smiling away to themselves. That’s a good feeling, to make someone else happy!
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I grew up in the suburbs and used to dream of escaping the boredom of school on horseback. I wanted to run away to the wild west and live in a tipi.
