She makes wearable art that channels Matisse, as well as ‘The Simpsons’
For those who love comfort, beauty and humor, a new line of cozy blankets, cushions and sweatshirts by designer and illustrator Lilian Martinez channels pop culture and Matisse.
“I pair elements that make sense to me visually, and I love going to museums and seeing different textures and palettes,” says Martinez, whose studio BFGF is based in Chinatown.
The idea for the collection stemmed from a friend who suggested that her digital illustrations would be great as woven cotton blankets — a thought she’d never have assumed possible.
After some trial and error, however, she found a balance among art, life and technology.
“What I love about the blankets is that they are functional and accessible art objects,” Martinez says. “They can be integrated into someone’s life in various ways, either as a wall tapestry or a fun throw.”
She deems the collection an “art brand,” as she spends much of her time sketching different images, playing with different hues and rummaging around the Internet before sending them off to be digitally woven. It all comes together in the end.
“I feel very lucky that they resonate with so many people,” Martinez says. “It really moves me.”
Her products, priced at $80-$175, are available at her studio, 970 N. Broadway, No. 204, Los Angeles, or at BFGF-shop.com
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