Artist Spotlight Series: Hillary Butler

May 23, 2016

Artist Spotlight Series: Hillary Butler

Abstract Art, Art, Artist

By HollyPhillips

Abstract Art, Abstract Artist, Artist, Artist Spotlight Series, Hillary Butler, Memphis, Tennessee

Another southern talent to share in my Artist Spotlight Series feature.

I found this creative force via Instagram, a constant source of inspiration.

I was particularly drawn to her colorful orbital pieces.

Enjoy getting to know…

Hillary Butler

Memphis, Tennessee

What is your training?

I started as an art major in college, but it only lasted a year. I finished with an English degree and went back and got an associates in graphic design. The rest I piece mealed together from classes and years of art lessons.

What inspires you and your designs?

Right now I’m exploring the idea of circular tension in my work. I’m drawn to elements that pull together a composition in this season. I find inspiration everywhere. It’s not uncommon for me to stop a friend and snap a picture of the colors on her skirt. My weirdest location for gleaning inspiration these days is the patterns I see in the hair on the shower wall. We artists are odd folks 🙂

What is your favorite piece?

My favorite piece changes monthly, but currently, I’m crushing on this purple piece and working on emulating it in other works. It represents the direction I’m heading with my work these days.

How has the your area influenced your work?

I have lived in the south my whole life, which is an area characterized by vast tracks of land. I think it just gets in your bones and I celebrate it subconsciously in my abstract landscapes. Land is what I know and is very comforting to me.

What is your favorite restaurant in Memphis?

A place called Acre. It has these enormous framed photos of horses everywhere and is just gorgeous. I like to go there with girlfriends for lunch and order champagne and sandwiches and feel fancy.

What is your favorite cocktail?

You are a girl after my own heart! I just discovered green chartreuse, so if I find a bartender who knows what it is, I have them make me a special cocktail with it. It’s like an herbal party in your mouth. It will truly change your life!

How do you balance personal life and work?

I try really hard to have work hours and non work hours and when I shut the studio door, work is over. I’m working on not checking email after hours, but that’s a habit that’s so hard to break! I also take Tuesdays off now that I have a baby boy and that gives me time to breathe and helps me focus more when I do work since I’m giving myself time away. I think fewer working hours help me with being efficient with my time and help me not work as much, which means I’m not spilling into personal time as much.

Dream trip?

Hike the Pilgrimage Trail in Spain.

Dream commission?

I would like Isaac Mizrahi to call me up and say, Hillary, paint me something huge and pink and come install it in my home. And then I would die of happiness.

Your favorite host / hostess gift to give?

A cocktail package! I love buying those mini liquors and packaging the mini ingredients needed for a single serving cocktail. Sometimes I put a special designed cocktail card inside. They are SO.MUCH.FUN to give!

Who is your style icon?

I know this is cliche, but Iris Apfel. She wears what she likes and doesn’t bow to trends and how cool is it that in her 90’s everyone wants to be her? That’s femininity and true sense of style: Comfortable in your own skin.

Your favorite up and coming artist?

I’m gonna keep it close to home and pick one of my besties- Beth Winterburn. She’s EBW Art. She’s so not what I paint, but I want every one of her pieces in my home and she’s just a lovely person. Everyone needs one of here pieces of art.

What is your most treasured possession?

My recipe book! My husband has been instructed that if the house is burning down and we are safe, he is to grab that book. I’ve curated it for years and collected all my favorite go to’s. It can’t be replaced.