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Turning Your Story Into a Painting

Artist hillary lauer painting live at International Womens Day Event

Inspired by Human Connection

Art doesn’t just fill a wall, it transforms your space into a reflection of you. Discover why high-quality giclée prints are the easiest way to bring bold, inspiring artwork into your home without breaking the bank

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tags: Portraits, artist story
categories: Inspiration
Friday 10.03.25
Posted by hillary lauer
 

Painting, Healing, and Starting Over in My Mid-30s

“Sometimes your 20s start in your 30s, and maybe that’s the plan all along.”

My 20s were chaos. At 35, I’m starting over with art, teaching, and faith and realizing I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

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tags: single at 35, single woman mid 30s, finding yourself after 30, starting over in your 30s, life doesn’t follow the timeline, art as healing, painting journey, teaching art in Cleveland, creative healing after trauma, moving back home in your 30s, women’s life stories, God’s timing, faith and purpose, Cleveland artist, healing through painting
categories: Life & Reflections, Artist Life, Inspiration, Healing & Community, Spirituality
Thursday 10.02.25
Posted by hillary lauer
 

Why Art Matters in Our Fast-Moving World

In a world that feels like it’s always on fast forward, it’s easy to forget the things that slow us down and bring us back to ourselves. That’s where art comes in. It isn’t just about colors on canvas or shapes carved from clay. It’s about pausing, noticing, and reconnecting with what makes us human.

When I create, I’m not just making something to hang on a wall. I’m capturing moments: a fleeting glance, the way light hits a barn at dusk, or the sad glimmer of my eye in a self portrait. These images live beyond their surface details. They tell stories, sometimes mine, sometimes yours, and they invite viewers to find their own meaning inside the work.

The beauty of art is that it doesn’t require you to have the “right” interpretation. What matters is how it makes you feel. Does it remind you of home? Does it spark a memory you thought you’d forgotten? Does it simply make your space brighter, bolder, more alive? I think thats why my paintings started to sell a lot during covid- a time where we longed for human connection, for a brighter world. People bought art to bring hope and nostalgia into their space.

Owning a piece of original or printed artwork is more than décor. It’s an act of preservation. It’s saying, “This moment matters. This story matters. My story matters.” Every print or painting carries not just pigment, but presence. It’s a reminder to pause, breathe, and let beauty anchor you.

So, if you’ve been waiting to invest in a piece that speaks to you, maybe this is your sign. Browse my latest collections, discover something that resonates, and bring a little more humanity into your space. After all, art doesn’t just fill a wall. It fills your world.

✨ Shop the Collection Here

tags: affordable decor, artist story
categories: Inspiration, Interior Decorating
Friday 09.26.25
Posted by hillary lauer
 

Why Investing in Original Art Transforms Your Space

In a world filled with mass-produced décor, there’s something unforgettable about owning a piece of original art. When you bring a painting into your home, you’re not just filling wall space, you’re creating an atmosphere, telling a story, and surrounding yourself with inspiration.

Every brushstroke carries the energy of the artist. The bold colors, textures, and emotions infused in the work become part of your daily life, uplifting your mood and sparking conversation. Unlike prints from big box stores, original artwork is unique—nobody else in the world will have the same piece hanging in their home.

Beyond beauty, art is also an investment. Original paintings and limited-edition giclée prints hold their value and often grow more meaningful over time. Collecting art connects you with culture, creativity, and the joy of supporting living artists.

If you’ve been thinking about refreshing your space, start with a piece that resonates with you. Explore my shop to discover bright abstracts, soulful portraits, and Western-inspired works that can bring warmth, character, and a touch of magic to your home.

Learn more
Thursday 09.25.25
Posted by hillary lauer
 

The Healing Power of Color: Why We’re Drawn to Bold Art

Have you ever noticed how certain colors change your mood? A burst of neon pink can feel playful while deep blues invite calm. For me, painting is more than mixing pigments — it’s therapy, storytelling, and a reminder to embrace emotions that words can’t always hold.

“we’ll always be the one tough act to follow”

Painted in Denver, this was one of my first nude portraits. I was just starting to understand value and really simplified using just shadows and highlights.

When I first began layering fluorescent underpaintings beneath my portraits, I realized something: color doesn’t just look good, it feels good. The chaos of vibrant lines, the glow of unexpected hues, the way texture catches light all creates energy that transforms a blank wall into something alive.

That’s why I create art that’s unapologetically bold. Whether it’s a giclée print of a nude figure in electric greens, a whimsical cow piece that makes you smile, or a western landscape that connects you to open skies, my goal is the same: to let color become part of your daily rhythm.

At Hillustrated.com, you’ll find collections that celebrate this energy:
• Abstract portraits with layers of vibrant emotion
• Rustic western prints for warmth and grounding
• Playful pop-inspired canvases that spark joy the moment you walk by

Art doesn’t just decorate your space. It heals, inspires, and reminds you to live more fully.

👉 Explore the latest vibrant prints and canvases at Hillustrated.com and bring home a piece that makes you feel.








tags: canvas prints, affordable decor
Monday 09.22.25
Posted by hillary lauer
 

Why Investing in Art Prints Transforms Your Space (Without Breaking the Bank)

When you think about filling a blank wall, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Gallery pieces can be intimidating, and cheap mass-produced decor doesn’t always reflect your personality. That’s where fine art prints come in. They offer the best of both worlds: the beauty and originality of an artist’s vision, paired with accessibility and affordability.

As an artist, my goal is to make art approachable. My work often blends bold color palettes, expressive portraits, and abstract linework to capture raw emotion and energy. By offering high-quality giclée prints, I’m able to share that creative world with more people so you don’t just decorate your walls, you transform your space into a reflection of you.

The Benefits of Collecting Art Prints

Affordable access to fine art: Original canvases are one of a kind, but prints let you bring the same energy home at a fraction of the price.

cow painting with grey background and dark brown, light brown and portrait pink in the face

Moo

Transform your space- no one has to know its a print for a fration of the cost.

Variety of styles and sizes: Whether you’re looking for a statement piece above the couch or a small pop of color for your office, there’s a print for every space.

High-quality, lasting color: Giclée printing ensures each detail, brushstroke, and texture comes through vividly and stays vibrant over time.

Perfect for gifting: Thoughtful, unique, and meaningful, art prints make unforgettable gifts for weddings, housewarmings, and birthdays.

Curating a Home That Inspires

The art you choose isn’t just decoration. It sets the tone for your daily environment. Imagine a moody abstract portrait sparking conversation at your next dinner party, or a burst of neon linework energizing your home office. Surrounding yourself with art is a way to express your individuality and create an atmosphere that inspires you every single day.

Shop the Collection

Every piece in my shop is created with the same care and vision I bring to original works. From expressive portraits to Western inspired abstracts, you’ll find prints that bring personality and warmth to your walls.

👉 Browse the full collection here

tags: interior decorating, giclee prints, canvas prints, affordable decor
Monday 09.22.25
Posted by hillary lauer
 

How I Became an Artist: A Story About Line Work, Survival, and Finding My Way Back

self portrait drawing in the mirror in pen and highlighter

Early Self Portrait

Self portrait drawing I did in Denver when I was in college.

I found my voice in a Drawing One class and my courage in a barn. This is the story of how painting healed me, pulled me through heartbreak, and became my lifeline. Read more at Hillustrated.com.

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tags: artist story, how i became an artist, Hillustrated, Denver Community College, painting for healing, art workshops, barn studio, emotional art, nude portraits, mural artist
categories: Inspiration, Artist Life
Sunday 09.21.25
Posted by hillary lauer
 

The Story Behind the Brush: Why I Paint What I Paint

me painting at a live painting event

More than Décor

Every artist paints for a reason. For me, art has always been more than an image-it’s a diary, a way to translate feelings into color, and a way to make sense of both the chaos and the beauty of life.

When I pick up a brush, I’m not just thinking about how a painting will look on a wall. In fact, I rarely paint for the sake of decoration. My paintings represent my emotional state during that time in my life. A bright splash of pink might come from laughter shared with friends. A layered portrait might carry the weight of reflection. A Western landscape will often be a result of missing my old life in Colorado.

Why Collectors Connect With My Work

Over the years, I’ve noticed something beautiful: people don’t just buy art for decoration. They buy it because it makes them feel something. Collectors of my work often tell me:

  • “This piece feels like energy and freedom.”

  • “I see something new every time I look at it.”

  • “It feels like a reflection of me.”

This is a cow painting with a grey background and the cow is different shades of brown

Moo Canvas Print

Available now in high quality textured Giclée canvas prints.

That’s the magic of original art—it speaks differently to each person who sees it.

From Studio to Your Space

Whether you’re looking for a modern abstract portrait to spark conversation, or a Western-inspired print that grounds your space with warmth, my collection offers art that’s both authentic and affordable. Every giclée canvas print is made with archival-quality inks and textures that mirror the original brushstrokes, so you don’t just see the art—you feel it.

this is an abstract oil painting of a horse with a beige background and colorful face

Why Art Is a Gift to Yourself (and Others)

Adding art to your home is an investment in your own well-being. Studies show that surrounding yourself with color and creativity can reduce stress and increase happiness. And when you gift art to someone else? You’re giving them a daily reminder of beauty, connection, and meaning.

Explore the Collection

If you’re ready to add something one-of-a-kind to your walls, explore the full collection at Hillustrated.com. From bold canvases to small fine art prints, each piece carries its own story—waiting to be part of yours.

Shop collection
categories: Inspiration, Interior Decorating, Western Art
Sunday 09.21.25
Posted by hillary lauer
 

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