Life has been coming up roses for local painter Lulie Wallace. This College of Charleston grad created a name for herself painting bright floral motifs that have garnered national attention—her works have been sold nationwide by Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, One Kings Lane, and Serena & Lily and featured in publications like HGTV Magazine. She’s now branching out with a textiles line from which she designs duffles, throw pillows, and pouches. We caught up with her for a chat near her studio at Redux Contemporary Art Center.
Why flowers? My favorite things I painted in college just happened to be flowers. It’s what I felt the most proud of, so I decided to stick with it. I enjoy taking one thing and exploring the heck out of it.
Love from the blogosphere: A couple weeks after I was featured on Design*Sponge, Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie contacted me! It’s fun telling my parents about being featured on a blog—my mom said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but cool.”
On seeing her work for sale in Anthropologie: It’s my favorite store. To have grown up going there and then to see they like what I’m doing—it’s an honor.
Her textiles line: I find that my paintings fit better in a home than on a gallery wall. I feel like choosing to do fabric was an extension of that. I love having my hand in another realm of the interior design world.
Hidden talents: I play the guitar and piano, and I sing. I’ve sung in a couple of my friends’ weddings, but that’s the closest I’ve come to performances.
Favorite place to see Charleston in bloom: I live around the corner from the Unitarian Church, and its churchyard is beautiful. I walk my dog through the gardens there on a regular basis.
See Her at Stems: On Thursday, March 14, from 5-10 p.m., Lulie is holding a one-night exhibition titled “Paintings and Patterns” at Stems, 208 Coming Street. Visit luliewallace.com for more details.
