Autumn is a great time to enjoy warm, cozy comfort, whether you’re indoors or outside. Looking to stay snug and toasty in beauty and style this season? Try these stunning, unique art-inspired blankets from Hillery Sproatt.
Hillery is a fine artist whose process begins with paintings on paper, she then translates them into textiles. Her organic shapes, whimsical landscapes and childlike creatures make evocative connections between home and nature. Her intuitive painting process lends itself to the discovery of beauty. The resulting art-inspired blankets are designed to inspire sweet dreams.
I grew up with a sense of pride in using my hands. My creative efforts were met with encouragement, and I was taught there was value in handmade objects at a very young age
ALWAYS AN ARTIST
Her mother, fiber artist and clothing designer Debra Weiss, fueled her love for pattern and textiles early on. “A career in art always felt natural. My mom is an artist, so I grew up with a sense of pride in using my hands. My creative efforts were met with encouragement. I was taught there was value in handmade objects at a very young age.” She explains that her mother’s “home studio is full of hand-pieced quilts, stitched blankets and cutting room scraps. I often swoon over the Japanese fabrics she sources when designing for her clothing line Rebe by Debra Weiss.”
Hillery says her artistic process is very intuitive. “When painting, drawing or working in the ceramics studio, I value being able to play without limitations. I experience great joy when allowing myself the spaciousness to simply respond to marks, colors and shapes without knowing exactly what they are.”
INSPIRATION EVERYWHERE
“I draw inspiration from nearly everything I take in, places I’ve visited, conversations I’ve had or a flower by the side of the road,” Hillery says. “All these things find their way into my work. At the moment, I find myself inspired by countless self-taught artists, children’s drawings, Paul Klee, Picasso, Matisse, as well as Scandinavian, Japanese and Eastern European design.”
In addition, she loves found and collected vintage objects, furniture and textiles. Hillery likes a mix of new and old things. She also loves cottages and dreams of having her own one day: a place that would be “peaceful, relaxed, cozy, full of vintage charm and built-in character … a place to collect your thoughts and gather with your family … where you can reconnect with nature and find inspiration and joy.” The perfect place to enjoy Hillery’s art and wrap up comfortably in one of her charming blankets.
ART-INSPIRED BLANKETS
Some customers frame Hillery’s original paintings and live with them on the wall, while others purchase her knit blankets to snuggle up with. “The blankets are a more affordable way to live with the artwork,” she says. They are beautiful draped on a bed or sofa and are completely functional for everyday use.
Her advice about adding art to your home décor? “A home should serve us in our daily lives,” Hillery believes. “Listen to yourself when decorating your home. Be patient, visit flea markets and antiques stores, keep your eyes peeled when you travel, and remain passionate and focused on purchasing things that bring you joy. Think about how functionality informs beauty. I believe this is a recipe for beautiful living.”
How Hillery’s Blankets Are Made
• “I work with a wonderful family-owned knitting mill here in the U.S. They make it part of their mission to source recycled cotton yarns for their throws,” Hillery notes.
• Each blanket is made from 80% recycled cotton and 20% poly, making them the perfect weight for year-round use.
• Recycled cotton is created from preconsumer fibers and scraps that have been discarded during the cut-and-sew process. These fibers are then broken down and spun into new yarns by a process that requires less energy and conserves natural resources.
• Designed with everyday life in mind, the blankets can be machine washed and dried.
Hillery’s powerful fine art pieces— whether drawings, paintings or the warm, lovely blankets depicted here—are not only fun but expressive too. They’re not just practical and functional but also striking, original décor elements guaranteed to imbue your home with a creative spirit.
Want more simply beautiful ideas? Check out this post on Creating a Cozy and Inviting Entryway.
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