Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Rae.
Hi Lauren, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My father proudly wrote “Big Bird. Lauren Age 3” on a piece of notepaper upon which I had doodled as a tot. I still have it along with other creations he had stashed away in a box from my childhood. It’s a connection to the days of drawing and painting, encouraged by my parents when I was a tiny creative human.
I’ve always been drawn to art. The days of my youth were spent doodling anything from animals to aliens to characters from Sesame Street. As I grew, art classes at school allowed me to explore other mediums such as clay, etching, print making, fiber arts, and more. I’m grateful for my time in high school as a 4-year art major where I could hone some of these skills a little further.
I graduated high school in 2001, but did not start college until age 31. There, I earned a Bachelor’s degree for Graphic Design – the business of art and visual communication. Just recently now at age 43, I earned a Master’s degree in Marketing, where I refined skills in communication and connection to an audience.
Now I work in as the Operations and Marketing Coordinator for a boat repair shop that focuses on water rescue. Yet I make time to craft and create art, occasionally vend shows, and volunteer at a friend’s gallery.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The time between high school and now still held value for art and creativity between various jobs, failed relationships, and the death of my parents. I tried my hands at being a special effects artist; creating latex masks, props, and working in the Halloween haunt industry. I listed my creations during the early days of Etsy. Applied vigorously for some actual art career in creative direction, graphic design, curation… something.
The death of my father in 2017 was the most difficult time for me emotionally, and during which some of my darkest art occurred. However, it was from his passing that I sought creative productivity.
For over 5 years I had a brick-and-mortar antique and art gallery in Downtown York—a nearly breathing entity from which community grew through the various arts. But at the cost of my health, it began to falter in an unstable post-covid economy and a location that lacked foot traffic.
Life wasn’t easy.
Is it ever, though?
Through the all the emotions of the human condition, one thing has remained constant. Expressing the ebbs and flow of life through visual communication. I illustrate, paint, sculpt… create however I can through whatever medium best conveys the message I am sharing with the viewer.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I think the most exciting part of art is the experimentation and exploration during and immediately after concept development. Because of this, I have never limited myself to one medium or style. I jokingly refer to myself as a jerk-of-all-trades, but there is truth to this. I’ll try anything creative if it fits the emotion and message.
However, because of this, I am not necessarily fully refined in any one area either. I tend to call myself an illustrator more than anything, because a lot of my work is just that – illustrative. Even my latest creative endeavors of “playing with gourds” tend to be a tangible illustration.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Don’t be afraid to fail.
Failure is not a negative.
Failure allows us to get back up and try again.
Failure allows room for growth.
Failure is gains experience and knowledge.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lauren-rae.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raezorblades
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauren.rae.art.design/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenlaprairie/
