Go beyond the canvas with Chicago-based painter and muralist, Liz Flores, for an inside look into her process, vision and collaboration with LG Group on Arthur on Aberdeen.
February 20, 2025 —Unlike most of her contemporary creative counterparts, when local Chicago artist Liz Flores begins mapping out ideas for a new piece, she goes back to the drawing board – literally.
“The first step in my process is pencil-to-paper sketching,” she shares about the genesis of her work. “It feels less permanent, [which] takes a little bit of the pressure off of thinking of an idea.”
The approach may seem like a surprising harken back to analog days of old for a rising millennial artist, but in fact, it’s organic to how Flores draws upon the past for inspiration. As a proud Latina of half Mexican, half Cuban heritage, the female-forward vision behind her work is a reflection of her specific cultural experiences, while lending itself to a unique universality.
“I always say, if even one person comes up to me and says, ‘That reminds me of something that I grew up with,’ or ‘That resonates with me,’ I’m like, ‘Okay, I did my job,’” she enthuses.
To wit, Flores has done much more than just her job when it comes to making art, especially in joining forces with high-profile Chicago entities including Lululemon, Soho House and the Chicago Bears on commissioned collaborations. These works helped LG Group to identify Flores as the ideal partner to create murals for Arthur on Aberdeen, its hospitality-focused luxury rental residence in the heart of the city’s Fulton Market neighborhood.
Once Flores learned about LG Design’s 70s-inspired aesthetic approach and the specific spaces at Arthur on Aberdeen that she’d be creating custom murals for – the rooftop pool and outdoor gym areas, respectively – everything flowed naturally from there.
“I just loved where [the work] was going to be. Whenever your art can be in a stunning location, that just lends itself to the beauty of the piece,” she shared.
The end result was two wholly original, traffic-stopping murals designed exclusively for the unique spaces they inhabit, and the impact they would have on residents’ daily lives.
“I hope [my work] feels very organic; that a Chicago artist did this,” she said. “And obviously, I hope they think it’s beautiful to look at.”
From Arthur on Aberdeen residents, to LG Group and beyond, the resounding answer is ‘yes.’
To read the full profile in LG Group’s Quarterly Field Report, click here.