FROM PRINTS TO PICTURE BOOKS, MURALS, AND MAHJONG

A former Lilly Pulitzer artist begins a new chapter with a children’s book and creative endeavors ranging from murals to mahjong.

The magic of Paige Spearin’s fanciful paintings is how they draw you in. There is an immediacy to each one that transforms you from viewer into active participant. Gazing at an image of rambunctious bunnies bouncing high upon their beds, it feels as if you’ve just opened the door to their room. Images of Spearin’s skating rinks, cocktail bars, or holiday living rooms make you feel as if you are there, cold nipping at your nose, cocktail in hand.

The experience is akin to the joy one feels flipping through the pages of Ludwig Bemelmans’ beloved Madeline stories—illustrations that Spearin adored as a child. “I love the Madeline books!” says Spearin, adding that when living in New York, The Carlyle’s Bemelmans Bar was a huge inspiration.

In fact, the Bemelmans connection is especially apropos right now. Spearin, famed for her 16 years as a textile artist for Lilly Pulitzer, left that position in November to blaze her own trail. Like Bemelmans, who adorned the walls at his namesake bar with paintings of his character Madeline and her cohorts in New York’s Central Park, Spearin just completed a mural at Plaza del Lago’s SPACE 519 in Wilmette. That mural features depictions of iconic North Shore spots including the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Home Alone house, Ravinia Festival, and the Deer Path Inn. Also, like Bemelmans, Spearin prefers to paint with India ink, watercolors, and gouache.

But the closest association to the erstwhile illustrator? “I’m writing and illustrating my own children’s book!” Spearin excitedly shares. “It’s the project I am most excited about right now.”

While Spearin’s publisher and theme are still hush-hush, the book will certainly include whimsical animal friends with characters somewhat inspired by her two little boys. “I painted a lot of animals in my prints for Lilly Pulitzer,” Spearin explains. “Bunnies, tigers, giraffes, frogs, and so many more. I started doing even more of the animals after having my boys. Over time, the characters slowly evolved to have more personality and to wear clothes. Now I find it entertaining to paint them in fancy beds and luxurious settings.”

Besides her boys, Spearin’s subjects are also inspired by everyday life on Chicago’s North Shore and her travels. She spends summers in Northern Michigan, so that region plays a significant role in her work. She’s also inspired by her travels to Florida, the Bahamas, Italy, Portugal, and France.

“My settings are often a mix of places,” explains Spearin. “And lately, I’ve been playing tennis, paddle, and golf, so that’s also appearing more in my work.”

Looking back, Spearin says she dreamed of being an artist, even as a little girl. “It’s kind of funny how similar my interests were when I was 5,” she says. “I loved to paint and draw and dress up, and I still love those things. Also, I have a lot of creative women in my family and was always inspired by the way they dressed, decorated rooms, prepared meals, and hosted parties. I notice and care about those little details. Now, a lot of those little touches appear in my work.”

In addition to working on her forthcoming children’s book, Spearin has been collaborating with Winnetka artist Sunny Esler of Tigre de Tartán on mahjong and home accessories—most recently a holiday-themed mahjong mat that takes inspiration from favorite New York places. She continues to design wedding invitations and has several stationery collections with Dogwood Hill. She also just illustrated a cookbook, The Wishbone Kitchen Cookbook by Meridith Hayden. And, making her art available as needlepoint canvases, she recently entered an exclusive collaboration with Jessica Chaney of Lycette Designs.

Looking ahead, “I may go back to textiles again one day,” says Spearin, “but for now, I’m enjoying collaborating and producing art under my own name. People often ask me what it takes to get better at your artwork. Really, it’s a mix of just painting a lot every day but also taking time to get out and see the world. Wander through a museum, go to a beautiful bar or restaurant, and notice what people are wearing! It all slips into your work.”

For more information about Spearin’s art, visit paigespearin.com. For more information about Spearin’s collaboration with Sunny Esler, visit tigredetartan.com, and for Spearin’s needlepoint canvases, visit lycettedesigns.com.