Lillian Hardy
Art Director / Founder of Super, Heavy Set & XYLIL
Portland, OR
www.lillianhardy.com
instagram @lillianhardy
Q What do you do?
“I’m an art director, casting director, multi-hat wearer, founder of two businesses (Hi, Heavy Set and Super!) and professional horse wrangler.”
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I put trust in my personal vision and asked many people for help along the way. From CEO’s to strangers, I never really let people intimidate me but instead approach them as I would anyone. People want connection. I would email folks all the time for coffee dates, phone chats or invite them to my studio for tea, letting relationships build organically. Over time, I built up a large network of friends / creators. I use the same approach for clients. There’s usually always someone real behind a screen or a brand, wanting to connect.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
The things I create are grounded in the natural world, but with a nod towards tomorrow — ahead of the status quo, the trend, and full of light and potential, something worth looking forward to. Something warm and different. I expose beauty in the overlooked and under-appreciated, and create experiences that make people feel more alive.
Q What are you working on right now?
Last year, I launched my second business, Super! Super is a talent agency where we represent talent in all directions. From artists, models, and photographers to set designers and stylists, we help emerging talent be seen and honored for their energy. I just finished Super’s website with Jahl Herapath and graphic designer, Roger Gutierrez. I’m really proud of it.
Right now- I’m working on adapting my studio, Heavy Set, to better function within the restraints of the pandemic. For me, that means pushing out internal shoots and halting studio rentals. I’ve partnered with photographer Molly Strohl and we are pitching our mutual photo-production work to clients and brands that need fresh content.
I’m also working alongside my best friend, Christy Lai for XYLIL- a “special projects” company where we create limited edition work/NFT’s.
Lastly, I recently wrapped my biggest project to date doing art direction for 6 films for the New York Times. Stay tuned for it!
Q What’s your style?
Here’s a taste of some of my most recent work.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I probably should wish to be a graphic design wizard, for my work. But right now I really want to:
fly fish, salsa dance, scuba dive, make better bread, wrangle cows, sail a boat, paint, plant a garden, speak at least 2 other languages, read some books, write some books, eat better, run faster. The list probably goes on.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
Hi, Pandemic!
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Organize my studio and onboard clients.
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Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
Number one: “You will learn best by failure.”
Number two: Not learning more about accounting/organizing finances sooner. I am not a numbers person, or at least did not pay enough attention when I probably needed to. I’ve since learned, but was totally embarrassed beforehand. I just wish I had inquired sooner, ex: “Help! What the F is a 1099?!” or “What can I write-off?”. I wish this was more a priority in public education. Ahh… America!
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
FinTech and the future of art.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I’d love to work with companies that want to see a paradigm shift in sustainability, communication, bodies and power.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
Integrity. Respect. Play. Clarity of purpose. Large budget.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
By carrier pigeon, smoke signal or fax at: lillianhardyworks@gmail.com
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Christy Lai - Creative partner-in-crime, co-founder of our company ‘XYLIL’. I could write a religion about her, but for now I’ll just say that I’m her biggest fan.
Sati Leon Faulks - The source. The hustle. Sati is always teeming with flow, with art juice, with love. We come to each other for ideation, growth and judgement-free advice. He’s always got a connection. We are never afraid to ask each other for help.
Molly Strohl - Stunning photographer, advice giver, bread maker and all things angel. My business partner at Heavy Set!
Kristel Brinshot - A baddie. She’s such a light for female entrepreneurs, a voice of reason, a serious hustler and always down to make something big happen.
Lane Walkup - Best friend, studio mate, advice giver. Lane is direct, loyal af and hyper talented.
Jenny Diggles - Manifesting machine. Elite CEO of everything good. Most positive person I know and has deeply shaped me as a female business owner.
M Blash - My silly counterpart. It’s always important to have someone to turn to for a laugh, a cry, or character development. The fact that he’s a brilliant filmmaker and artist helps too.
This list could go on & on.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Beauty happens all around us in every moment, which can feel overwhelming.
I practice getting out of my head and into my body. Maybe it’s a barefoot walk, a jump in a river or a shared laugh with a stranger. Traveling to foreign countries alone also helps. It isn’t the most accessible approach, but if you can-- there’s nothing like landing in a place where you don’t speak someone else’s language. Sometimes the only resource you have to connect with others is through your own body, i.e.: direct eye-contact, new sounds and gestural arms drawings. It forces you to be present. Presence is inherently creative.
This member profile was originally published in March 2021