About Lila
Though originally born in DC, Lila Hudgins moved to the coast of Panamá when she was just two years old. Lila had quite an abnormal childhood: she attended a small, international school founded by her mom where the students raised pigs and took wilderness survival classes. She spent her weekends cliff-jumping, surfing, and driving four-wheelers down the beach with her friends. She picked up oil painting at a young age, and spent many of her rainy afternoons in Panama experimenting with different subject matter.
A lover of the outdoors, Lila pulls inspiration from her experiences outside, whether that is lounging on the white sand Panamanian beaches, or huddling beside a fire in windy north-western Michigan. The artist uses vibrant colors and a range of abstraction to create uplifting paintings about the spirituality she finds in the natural world. Common subjects include animals, plants, and landscapes to comment on death, life, and gratitude - creating meaningful art with an aesthetic emphasis on light and texture. Occasionally the human figure or face will find its way into her work, either hidden or outright, and is a symbol for human integration with the world around us: a reminder that we are a part of the circle of life.
Lila Hudgins is graduating from the University of Michigan in May 2026, and planning to make a move to Austin, TX, where she will continue to explore regional subjects in her work.
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Exhibitions and Fairs
Professional/Juried
Mar. 2026 - Present Solo Exhibition | Cafe Zola | Ann Arbor, MI
Feb. 2025 Solo Exhibition: The Weight of Water | Crazy Wisdom Bookstore | Ann Arbor, MI
Nov. 2024 Artist of the Month - Exhibition | Makeshift Gallery | Ann Arbor, MI
Sep. 2025 Kerrytown Artisan Market | Kerrytown | Ann Arbor, MI
July 2025 Ann Arbor Street Art Fair - The Original | Ann Arbor Art Fair | Ann Arbor, MI
Jan. 2025 The Stampede Exhibition | Stamps Street Gallery | University of Michigan
Aug. 2024 Emerge Exhibit | The Gutman Gallery | Ann Arbor, MI
April 2024 Evicted Art Market | Vacancy Storefront | Ann Arbor, MI
University/Student-organized
Jan. 2024 - Oct. 2025 "Run With Us" Exhibitions (3) | The Stampede Arts Org. | University of Michigan
Nov. 2023 - Oct. 2025 WTF! Art Fair (semesterly) | What the F Magazine | University of Michigan
Feb. 2025 Curtis Center Art Exhibit for Health Equity | Curtis Center | University of Michigan
Nov. 2023 Junk Drawer Student Exhibition | Helicon Art History Society | University of Michigan
April 2024 Homegrown Music Fest Art Vendor | Common Ground | University of Michigan
Nov. 2023, March 2024 Helicon Student Exhibitions | Helicon Art History Society | University of Michigan
Jan. 2024 Sound & Silence Student Exhibition | Canterbury House | Ann Arbor, MI
Projects, Publications and Awards
Sept. 2024 - Present Founder of Charity Art Exhibit and Collection | Painting for Panama | Ann Arbor, MI
May 2025 - July 2025 New Art New Artists | Ann Arbor Street Art Fair - The Original | Ann Arbor, MI
April 2024 - Dec. 2025 Emerging Artist Program | The Guild of Artists and Artisans | Ann Arbor, MI
Nov. 2024 Live Painting Performance | BOUND - Student Film Production | U-M
Aug. 2024 Juried “Best in Show” | The Gutman Gallery | Ann Arbor, MI
July 2024 BMW Ultimate Creator Challenge | BMW Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI
Get in Touch
Fill out a form or email me at lilahudgins@icloud.com for commission orders, inquiries, bookings, etc.