Silly Tilly with her painting, "Welcome"
About the Artist
A sense of peace and happiness is seen in Silly Tilly's whimsical paintings. She often paints about skiing, nature, frogs, and her experiences with God. Tilly pours out her spirit into each detailed piece, becoming deeply involved with its spiritual meaning. She mentions, “I use painting as my act of worship and gratitude to God.” Her paintings lead you past the physical, into the realm of the spiritual to discover things in life that truly matter.
Tilly finds inspiration in the things most important to her such as her relationship with God, with people, and the enjoyment of nature. She is especially inspired by her interactions with children and adventures traveling with her husband Sam.
Although Tilly participated in art classes throughout her childhood, she is primarily self-taught through experimenting with many styles and mediums. She enjoyed the freedom she had as a child to cultivate a creative spirit, as she played outdoors with her 5 sisters, and is grateful for the encouragement she received from parents, grandparents, and now from her husband.
Tilly finds inspiration in the things most important to her such as her relationship with God, with people, and the enjoyment of nature. She is especially inspired by her interactions with children and adventures traveling with her husband Sam.
Although Tilly participated in art classes throughout her childhood, she is primarily self-taught through experimenting with many styles and mediums. She enjoyed the freedom she had as a child to cultivate a creative spirit, as she played outdoors with her 5 sisters, and is grateful for the encouragement she received from parents, grandparents, and now from her husband.
Artist's Statement
God, an artist of nature, has the biggest influence on my art. The more I contemplate creation, the more I am able to get a sense of who God is. In the same way my paintings will reveal who I am, but more importantly will tell you something about yourself. They get you thinking about your spiritual life and how you can connect with God as well.
In my paintings, I explore ideas I desire to integrate into my spiritual life and to share with others in a way they can relate. Recently I have been exploring my inner child and I hope other adults can use my current work to connect with the humility and peace of their inner child.
I am motivated to create new artwork that has not been imagined before. It has become its own genre full of diversity, a mixture of cartoons, abstract ideas, and spiritualism. I enjoy the ability to wander freely in my art and only later figure out how to tie it all together into a singular style.
I love to work with Acrylic paints because the process is slow and I end up getting lost in the piece. Plus it's just fun to move colors around and mix them together into something totally new. Drawing is also one of my favorite things to do. I begin drawing out my ideas for a new painting in my sketchbook.
No matter how excited I am to begin a new painting, I allow each painting to take on a life of its own. I sense the painting is telling me what to do and I try not to overthink it. I am always able to learn something from each painting and I approach it with a focus and aim to refine my skills.
When I get out a new canvas, I begin by laying down Modeling Paste with a pallet knife. This medium is usually used to create texture, but I use it for the opposite, to create a smooth surface and to get rid of the texture of the canvas. I also use sandpaper to smooth it down even more. I like this medium because it is absorbent, and it is almost like painting on paper.
I am motivated to paint because I enjoy the process of creating a beautiful picture, and I desire to have something to share. My artwork is as much for me as it is for God and for others. When I part with a piece I view it as a bittersweet opportunity to give something important and meaningful to another soul. When I am able to connect with another on the common grounds of emotion, I get as touched by them as they do by my artwork. I trust that each of my pieces has a specific purpose in another's life.
In my paintings, I explore ideas I desire to integrate into my spiritual life and to share with others in a way they can relate. Recently I have been exploring my inner child and I hope other adults can use my current work to connect with the humility and peace of their inner child.
I am motivated to create new artwork that has not been imagined before. It has become its own genre full of diversity, a mixture of cartoons, abstract ideas, and spiritualism. I enjoy the ability to wander freely in my art and only later figure out how to tie it all together into a singular style.
I love to work with Acrylic paints because the process is slow and I end up getting lost in the piece. Plus it's just fun to move colors around and mix them together into something totally new. Drawing is also one of my favorite things to do. I begin drawing out my ideas for a new painting in my sketchbook.
No matter how excited I am to begin a new painting, I allow each painting to take on a life of its own. I sense the painting is telling me what to do and I try not to overthink it. I am always able to learn something from each painting and I approach it with a focus and aim to refine my skills.
When I get out a new canvas, I begin by laying down Modeling Paste with a pallet knife. This medium is usually used to create texture, but I use it for the opposite, to create a smooth surface and to get rid of the texture of the canvas. I also use sandpaper to smooth it down even more. I like this medium because it is absorbent, and it is almost like painting on paper.
I am motivated to paint because I enjoy the process of creating a beautiful picture, and I desire to have something to share. My artwork is as much for me as it is for God and for others. When I part with a piece I view it as a bittersweet opportunity to give something important and meaningful to another soul. When I am able to connect with another on the common grounds of emotion, I get as touched by them as they do by my artwork. I trust that each of my pieces has a specific purpose in another's life.