Meet Lily Furniss | Visual Artist

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

Hi Lily, can you tell us about a book that has had a meaningful impact on you?
I read and watched Watership Down, and it has a big impact on my current body of digital artworks. Not only is it this great cautionary tale of the negative role human development has on the environment, but I think the choice of having rabbits be the protagonists is very interesting. Normally they are viewed as this cute, helpless prey animal, but in the book they are intuitive, brave, and very resourceful. I think I relate to that in a way because I’m not usually the loudest voice in the room. And unfortunately sometimes as a woman navigating this weird world you feel like you’re being hunted like a rabbit. I think that’s why I love creating these colorful but haunting environments where rabbits are the main subject with their own agency. I used to think that my art had to have this clear meaning or message, or be really 1:1 with my personal experience. As artists, sometimes you feel pressured to pour your personal history out for viewers to consume. Using the rabbits allows me to “hint” at my own meaning with the work, but it still allows the viewer to have their own interpretation.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I used to be a fairly traditional artist. My background in college was drawing human figures in pencil and charcoal. When I went to art school, I thought I was going to be an educator and sell my artwork in galleries. That’s a narrative a lot of students have. I didn’t think there were a lot of other ways of being a successful visual artist.

Something shifted during the start of the pandemic when I lost my art studio in grad school. I honestly got burned out trying to draw so technical or going to the art store and spending so much money on art supplies. I started to just doodle on my iPad thinking it was a way to just let off some steam, and thinking it wasn’t going to actually become my main way of making art. I internalized this narrow view of thinking that drawing digitally wasn’t very serious or interesting or that it had to look a certain way. But I started to love the freedom it gave me. I look at my old works now and they are so serious and grey compared to my new works bursting with color. I can tell I’m having a lot more fun now. My influences of surrealism, traditional drawing, manga, psychedelic music, politics, and horror movies are infused throughout my work.

Before I went to art school, I was also a fairly active musician. Because of those lasting relationships and the fact I was getting more comfortable working digitally, I started getting commission requests from musicians asking for album art or posters for their upcoming concerts. Working with musicians is only one aspect of my studio practice, but it’s something I’m really excited about developing further because I get to merge my two loves of visual art and music together. If you’re a musician that needs artwork please reach out to me!

The truth is that being an artist takes a lot of work and discipline. I still feel like I’m just starting my career in a lot of ways. I remember reading this book in grad school called “Living and Sustaining a Creative Life” and it was a very comforting book to me. It’s basically a compilation of essays by working artists talking about how they “make it work” as an artist. And many of these successful artists in the book, those who have packed CVs and show their work around the world, still have day jobs! Of course I would love to sit here and say: “Yes, I figured it out and have found a way to completely support myself with my artwork” but that would be a lie! I’ve had to work retail in the past, do freelance design work, and teach to support myself, among other things. I hope other creatives are reading this because I just want to say that it’s ok if you need a day job while you make art! As artists, we don’t make art because we want to be successful or make money, it’s because we have an unexplained drive to create no matter what. It’s a lifelong commitment to learning and exploring your craft. If you would like to support my practice, you can purchase a print of my digital artwork by contacting my instagram page! I sell 8×10 inch prints for $25 including domestic shipping.

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.
I’m so glad you’re asking this because I LOVE to recommend restaurants and places for people to enjoy.

I’m currently in Chicago and honestly it’s a city of neighborhoods with different personalities and great food options.

The Mexican food is amazing here. Go to the neighborhood Pilsen and just walk around! So many great food spots, but 5 Rabanitos and Carnitas Uruapan are some personal favorites. The National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen is free too!

My favorite nightlife places are California Clipper and Podlasie Club. Great places to hear a variety of house music and Chicago has a rich history of that.

If it’s a crummy day, the Garfield Conservatory is a stunning 184-acre indoor park. Then I’d probably grab some cozy Korean food. One of my favorite places at the moment is this Korean sports bar called Yeowoosai with huge portions of bbq, and there’s a place called U Star Karaoke next door with private rooms.

I think if we’re talking about doing typical “touristy” activities in the heart of downtown, the boat tour lead by the Chicago Architecture Center along the river is worth it. Both the art museums such as the Art Institute and the MCA are great as well. Everyone wants to go to the top of the Willis (Sears) tower because it’s the tallest building in Chicago, but I think the Hancock building has the better views because it’s so close to the lake.

Honestly Chicago is slept on as a summer destination as well. The city really comes alive after a long winter hibernation. We have so many places to take a dip in the lake, and in late August/Early September the water is so warm! I try to have 5-10 bucks in my pocket at all times so I can grab an elote cup or some mango while I’m there at one of the many food stands along the lakefront. Plus the bike path and public parks are fantastic by the lake. I’m definitely at my happiest when I’m at the beach!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The musicians who really believed in my artistic vision. Two people in particular. My sister, Carrie Furniss, who is a musician in New York City. Her musical projects are called Carrie’s Fantasy and Pleaser. If you love indie weirdness and experimental bedroom pop, you’ll love her stuff!

Neil Carson, who is a very talented saxophone player, has also been a big cheerleader of mine. One of his groups is called The New Nostalgia. If you love rock and jazz music, and think Steely Dan is the shit, you’ll love his work!

My deep appreciation also goes out to all the professors from Asheville and Philadelphia who mentored me. Thank you.

Website: https://lilyfurniss.com

Instagram: @lilyfurnissart https://www.instagram.com/lilyfurnissart/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-furniss-mfa/

Image Credits
Personal photo: Karl Neumann