Lily Hillis

Media: Pastels, Watercolor, Acrylic, Fiber Art, Jewelry, Paper Making

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I am an artist who doesn't know when to quit, trying out different art forms. At a very young age, my mother taught me needle crafts. For some reason, I was also drawn to drawing and felt the need to draw dogs, horses or faces when I was not doodling. This led to what I thought would be art degree at UW Eau Claire, only to switch mid stream to Business Administration and a career in Information Technology. But I never quit being an artist.
During my working years, I dabbled at watercolor and acrylic painting. Then came jewelry making. My favorite type of beading is peyote and other needle stitched forms since it comes so naturally.
My foray into the fiber arts started with needle felting. When a co-worker gave me three bags of Icelandic fleece, I taught myself to wash, card, comb, dye, and spine the fluffy stuff into yarn. But what to do with the yarn? Well, weave it out, of course. I began on a Schacht rigid heddle loom and advanced to eight shaft, inkle, tapestry and Navajo weaving looms, I am drawn to the endless color design options and can't stop thinking about my next project as I learn so much from the previous.
Now that I am retired, I am taking up a new love, pastels. The basket making supplies and gourds are waiting until I run out of felt, wool, yarn, or paint supplies. They maybe waiting a long time.

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