Meet Lilie Garofalo | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lilie Garofalo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lilie, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Since I was a child, I have always been very artistic . I just love everything that involves a creative process. Despite my parents wish for me to work in an office, my professional path led me to be a painter. With a brush in my hand, I am the happiest person in the world.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My paintings are inspired by Nature in general. My 2020 collection “gemstones” represents different crystals and gemstones through a mixed-media form on canvas. I have the utmost respect for Mother Earth and the endless inspiration she has offered me, especially through my travels. That’s why I also do my best to use recycled materials, sustainable packaging and the lowest VOC paint.
After painting for so many years on movie sets, I decided to open my online boutique on Etsy while at home during the pandemic. It might have been an odd time to do so but it actually kept me even more creative and driven. It was a sort of therapeutic process during such an overwhelming time. I had accumulated lots of paintings over the years and never really took the time to open a proper online store and finally launch my business.

The goal for my Art is to keep thinking out of the box, fully enjoy what I do and never compromise with my values regarding an eco-friendly approach.
I believe if you put a good intention in what you make, your artwork will fill up the place with positive energy. I want people who buy my Art to smile and feel the love every time they look at it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Start with the Huntington Library Museum, the best mix of Art and beautiful gardens. Then take a stroll in Old Pasadena where your can discover the cute shops around. Finish your day with a dinner at Union and a paint & wine night at Pinot’s Palette for the Art lovers. So much fun! Next day, head to Griffith Park Observatory. There is a lot to see and many trails to hike. Look up their calendar for group night hikes and various events. Drive down to Echo Park or Silverlake for some good food. Ostrich Farm, Flore vegan, Little Pine and Sage are a few great options in the area…

If you want to discover Hollywood, go to Runyon Canyon for a hike and get the best view of the city and the Hollywood sign. Best at sunrise or sunset! Stop by Petit Trois for authentic French cuisine or Katsuya for sushi.

I personally love architecture so driving through the canyon from Studio City to Beverly Hills is a real pleasure. You’ll discover the most stunning houses of Los Angeles. Walk around rodeo drive and stop by Heritage Fine wine for yummy snacks and a glass of wine. Then head to West Hollywood for some more shopping on Melrose and stop by Crossroads Kitchen for dinner.

Of course, you can’t come to LA without seeing Downtown Los Angeles. The Broad Museum always has interesting events and Still Life Ceramics is a cute little shop with handmade ceramics but also gives classes. Perfect for a fun afternoon! You will find so many spots to eat and drink around. Perch and its live music nights has the best ambiance. For beer amateurs, head to The Arts District Brewery Company and Angel City Brewery in the Arts District. Then dine at Zinc Cafe in their beautiful patio.

If you want to hang out by the water, drive to Malibu. Many small cute beaches along the coast. Stop by the peer for a snack and if you are into fine dining, I highly recommend Nobu. Dining at sunset with the sound of waves crashing is just magical.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I guess first I have to thank my parents for gifting me with an artistic talent. And genuinely I want to thank everyone who loves and supports what I do, who leaves beautiful comments about my artwork. It just warms my heart and makes me want to keep going and push myself even more out of my comfort zone.

Instagram: LilieGarofaloArt