Deskside with: Lia Burke Libaire
On creating art with lasting power, Charleston's creative influence, and what's next
If you've ever been to Allison's home, you've probably seen several of Lia Burke Libaire's prints hanging on her walls—so the opportunity to interview this Charleston-based visual artist was extra special!
After spending 12 years in New York's interior design world, Libaire made the move to Charleston to pursue her artistic practice full-time, establishing a permanent studio where she creates stunning pieces that have caught the attention of publications like Vogue, Brides, and Garden & Gun. Beyond her individual artwork, she's also the co-founder and creative force behind textile company Brier and Byrd, bringing her distinctive aesthetic to wallpapers and home goods that can be found in showrooms from Los Angeles to New York City.
In our conversation, we dive into how her interior design background shaped her artistic philosophy around creating work with "staying power," the way Charleston's tropical colors and slower pace have influenced both her subject matter and creative process, and her refreshingly freehand approach to ink and watercolor. We also discuss the organic evolution of Brier and Byrd, her upcoming projects, and why she believes in trusting your gut above all else.
How did your 12 years in interior design shape your approach to creating visual art? What specific elements from that world—whether it's understanding how people live with art, working with color palettes, or thinking about scale and proportion—inform your artistic practice today?
An important component for me is staying power. I don’t like waste and I really don’t like trends for the most part. Inspiration for most of my art is rooted in nature, which I think (hope) gives it staying power to last in a space for the long haul. I also think it is important to surround yourself with things you love. Art or decor doesn’t need to be perfect or fit inside a certain box. If it makes sense to you and you love it I think there is a way to make everything work- this is also what gives spaces dimension and individuality.
Charleston has such a distinct visual identity and creative energy. How has the city influenced your work, and what aspects of Charleston’s aesthetic or culture do you find yourself drawn to or responding to in your art?
Charleston is a beautiful and distinctive city, I love the often tropical colors of the flora and fauna against the blue sky and colorful buildings. As someone who paints a lot of botanical and marine subjects, this historic city is incredibly inspiring. The slower pace of Charleston has also helped me to slow down, this can be reflected in different ways but a main one is that if I am not happy with a piece I will put it aside and not rush the completion. Sometimes I’ll just be done with it… but other times I will come back to it, months or even years later and improve or ‘finish’ it.
Can you walk me through your creative process? Do you start with a specific inspiration, color palette, or concept, and how does that evolve from initial sketch to finished piece?
For the most part my artwork is ink and watercolor. I typically start out with an ink drawing- I draw with a calligraphy pen and dip ink, and I do not use a pencil sketch or underlay so its sort of loose and freehand. Sometimes I’ll slip up but will keep going which can give an imperfect, sketchy effect to some of my paintings. Once the initial ink has dried I apply different watercolors, inks and/or gouaches. I do also enjoy experimenting with mediums, I often use chalk paint, or I like to paint on my own photography and dabble with oil paints as well.
What was the "aha moment" that made you realize you wanted to launch Brier and Byrd? Was there a specific gap in the textile market you noticed, or did it evolve naturally?
I wouldn’t say there was an actual ‘aha moment,’ more like a slow burn of experimentation. I have a partner in the company, Georgia Tapert Howe, who is an old friend and talented interior designer. She had seen my art evolve once I began doing it full time and she approached me about creating some patterns together. I had always thought that my artwork could lend itself well to textiles but we both didn’t really know where to begin. Once we finalized some initial designs we shopped them around and ended up getting picked up by our first showroom in LA, Hollywood at Home. Of course, I am very much paraphrasing- it was an incredibly long process, but once we started getting good feedback from showrooms and designers that we admired, we realized we had something viable that could stand on its own.
Looking ahead, what new directions are you excited to explore in your work? Are there any mediums, collaborations, or markets you're curious about entering?
I love that my art allows me to work in many different facets- fine art, textile and surface design, etc. I have been working on my first licensing agreements with the Grateful Dead, that I hope will be launching in the next month or so. Coming sooner down the track, I have a new trunk show with Moda Operandi dropping later this month. Also, I did a stint of oil painting portraiture which is a big departure from what I do but I really enjoyed it- would love to get back into that too!
Quick Hits
Apps: This is not groundbreaking but I rely a lot on Pinterest to organize/remember ideas relating to art inspiration/ideas, interior design, personal style, recipes, etc.
Restaurant: In Charleston, Lowland, Ordinary and Vern’s. In NYC, Via Carota, Bar Pitti and Torrisi.
Current Read or Daily Media Diet: NPR… if I can stomach the news that particular day.
Item You’re Eyeing: Anything Jessica McCormack- saving up for the big shell pendant!
Piece of Life Advice: Listen to your gut. I think we all have our own answers if we can quiet the outside noise.