Behind every Green Lili piece is Michelle, our founder and artist, who has been creating all our artwork since day one. Her bold yet minimal style is rooted in nature and designed to make a quiet statement in modern interiors.
Here, she shares more about her journey, what inspires her, and the ethos that shapes both her art and the brand.
Please tell us a little about yourself and how Green Lili got started.
Of course! I've always had a passion for art and design, and in 2015, I took the leap and left the 9-5 to become a full-time artist. My aim has always been to create pieces that bring warmth, ease, and a quiet sense of connection into a room. I want my art to feel like part of your home, not just something you hang on the wall. I live in Sheffield, right on the edge of the Peak District, which is perfect because when I'm not painting, I love walking and being out in nature. It's where I reset, and where so many of my ideas begin.
Where do you find your inspiration?
Always outdoors. Spending time in nature re-energises me and clears my head. Inspiration can come from the simplest things, like the curve of a rock, or the colour of a leaf on a walk through the woods near home. But it can also be those bigger moments, like standing on a wild coastline or watching the sun light up the mountain tops, for me, that view is just the best. All of those shapes, colours, and textures find their way back into my art in one way or another.
How would you describe your artistic style?
My art has evolved over the years as I've found my signature style, which I'd describe now as simple and bold, playing with colour, organic shapes, and abstractly exploring nature. I like to paint loosely, and abstract art gives me the freedom to do that. What I also love is how open it is to interpretation; the same piece can feel completely different depending on who's looking at it, or even which way it's hung on the wall.
What colours are you most drawn to?
I love earthy palettes of greens, deep browns, terracotta, and warm neutrals. They're the tones you find in nature, so it's no surprise they feature heavily in my work. They're also calming. Bright, vivid hues can feel overwhelming in an already chaotic world, so for me, these softer tones help cut out the noise. Bringing them into your home will instantly make a space feel grounded and lived-in. I also have a soft spot for checkerboard, toned down, of course.
What role does 'slow living' play in your work?
I haven't quite got slow living nailed; life gets busy and messy, like everyone else's. But I try to find little ways to slow down where I can, and for me, that usually starts at home. If a space feels calm and easy to be in, it's so much easier to carry that pace into everything else, and it makes a big difference. That's what I bring with my work. Creating art for slower, calmer homes really matters to me - pieces that bring ease, warmth, and a sense of belonging. It's not about filling a wall for the sake of it, but choosing things that add meaning and help you feel properly at home.
How do you live slowly day-to-day?
I keep mornings as calm as I can, no phone until I'm at my desk, and that first coffee is always away from the screen, just a quiet moment to ease in. Most days I'll get out for a walk too, nothing fancy, just fresh air and a bit of headspace. Then there are the days when I'm painting, which is the truest version of slow for me. Once I'm in the flow, I can lose all sense of time. Evenings matter as well, I'll always make time to wind down, even if it's just half an hour in my cosy corner. Of course, not every day looks like this; life isn't always slow or easy, but those small pockets of calm can make all the difference.
What is your interior design style?
For me, it always comes back to how a space feels. I like things warm and relaxed, the kind of room you actually want to curl up in at the end of the day. I love a modern organic interior style with earthy tones, a mix of raw materials and textures, and flowing shapes that feel grounding but not fussy. It's never been about trends or making everything match, more about pulling in pieces you love and letting it come together over time. I think my art naturally sits in this space too; it's there to add to the atmosphere, rather than take over.
What does your own home look and feel like? Is it filled with your art?!
We moved home last year, so it's definitely still a work in progress and not quite how we'd like it yet! But these things take time, and I don't mind letting a space evolve slowly and getting it right. Eventually, I want it to feel exactly as I described before, warm, relaxed, and organic. We already have quite a few of my pieces on the walls, alongside items we've picked up on trips away and other pieces that hold memories.
Do you have a favourite piece you've created?
My favourites are always the ones tied to a feeling or a memory, either inspired by places I've visited that hold a special place in my heart, or ones that I really enjoyed creating, sometimes both. Clear to Me is definitely up there; it reminds me of that magical moment when the sun hits the mountain tops at dusk. Unearthed and everything Connects capture those earthy tones I'll never stop loving. Piece Out was just pure fun to create. And Always Moving, inspired by a glacier walk, it still takes me right back to that incredible experience.
And finally, what do you hope people take from your art?
I really hope that people feel something from it. That it's not just another thing hanging on the wall, but something that actually makes a difference to how a space feels to live in. I love the idea that the same piece can mean something completely different for each person, or spark a memory that's personal to them. At the end of the day, if my art helps someone create a home that feels good to be in, somewhere to slow down and live a little more intentionally, then that's more than enough for me.