Home, Heritage & the Human Condition: A Conversation w/ Liz Flores
06/25/25
There’s something magnetic about Liz Flores’ artwork—an immediate sense that you're stepping into a story rich with emotion, memory, and identity. Her abstract figures, bold colors, and textured lines invite you in, while whispers of her Cuban and Mexican heritage linger in every brushstroke.
A decade into her journey as a full-time artist, Liz has not only painted murals across Chicago, but has also shared her story on the TEDx stage and collaborated with household names like Target, Google, and the Chicago Bulls. Her latest work lives a little closer to home—on the walls of The Emily Hotel.
We caught up with Liz to talk about her creative process, morning rituals, and what advice she’d give to the next wave of artists ready to take the leap.
“Ten years!” Liz says with a smile. “I just celebrated my 10-year work anniversary.”
She didn’t always envision herself in the art world. Like many creatives, Liz began her professional life in corporate America, feeling an itch she couldn’t quite ignore.
“I was unfulfilled, but becoming an artist didn’t feel like a real possibility. So, I started painting for fun—then got a studio in Fulton Market. For three years I balanced both worlds: working full-time and painting after hours. Eventually, I quit my job and never looked back.” Art was a risk, and the gamble paid off.
When asked about her creative process, Liz' inspiration comes alive in the early hours.
“Sometimes I like to wake up at 4 a.m. to begin working on a painting,” she says. “That’s when the ideas feel clearest.”
Her muses come in many forms: family and friends, childhood memories, conversations over dinner, and long walks through the city. It also comes through sound. “The album Musas by Natalia Lafourcade perfectly captures the spirit of my work.”
Walk through The Emily Hotel, and you’ll spot Liz’s work on several walls. These pieces are layered not only with paint but with stories—memories from trips to Mexico and Cuba, reflections on food and color, and collaborations rooted in cultural pride.
“Two of the larger paintings near the elevator were inspired by my collaboration with Michelin-starred restaurant Esmé. They’re deeply personal—evoking flavors, textures, and the warmth of home.”
When she’s not painting, Liz is often exploring the city’s rich cultural landscape. Her go-to spots?
Each of these places, she says, provides inspiration and a sense of creative grounding.
If Liz could share just one piece of advice, it would be this: “Consistency is key. And it’s not just what you know—it’s who you know.”
“Put yourself out there. Go to gallery openings, talk to other artists, meet curators. It takes time, but building those connections is often how the most meaningful projects come to life. This is a long game. And honestly, that’s part of the magic of being an artist—there are no guarantees.”
When asked about emerging artists in Chicago, Liz is generous with her spotlight. Without hesitation Liz recommends readers to “...keep an eye on David Ellis, Moises Salazar, and Ivan Montoya.”
Discover more of Liz Flores’ work on Instagram @lizitto or at lizfloresart.com.
On your next visit to The Emily, be sure to spend a moment with her striking collection of paintings, currently on display on our ground floor through July 31.
