Interview

Written By Editorial Team

Lauren Walker

Lauren Walker is known as "The Artist Within." She has lived in Port Perry, Ontario for 21 years. Lauren has been a personal trainer with All Fit All Ages Gym for the past 21 years. Her professional art career started three and a half years ago during a very tumultuous time in her life. Lauren truly found the artist within and hasn't looked back. She’s been fortunate enough to have two solo shows under her belt. She'll also be participating in several more shows this year, both local and international. Lauren has also won multiple local and international awards. She is displaying her work with Holy Art gallery in their international Art on Loop shows in Barcelona, London and Toronto this year.

 

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“I have dabbled with art on and off over the years but never took it seriously in my younger years. My professional art career started three and a half years ago during a very tumultuous time in my life. I was suffering from severe anxiety and panic attacks. Art helped me find myself again and allowed me to channel my emotions in a positive way. As a self-taught artist, I took it upon myself to take courses locally in order to learn and refine my skill. I dedicated time and effort in order to improve. I knew from the start that I wanted to be extraordinary. Art is not a hobby, it is my purpose.”

What inspires you?

“That's the problem, inspiration finds me all the time! I try to focus and channel my energy into one project at a time. My mind is always in a state of creativity, so I may jump from one project to another. I usually find if I'm working on the same piece, I have to work on another project that is quite opposite. If I'm working on a monochrome architectural piece, I could simultaneously be working on a portrait as well. It really all depends on what mood I'm in and where my energy is focused. Inspiration is often found in everyday things. I like the idea of capturing spontaneous moments of joy in my portraits. In my architectural pieces, I tend to deviate towards older buildings which have long since been abandoned. I am currently working on a monochrome series of ‘Interesting Buildings in Ontario.’ I find beauty in very odd places that other people might miss. I'm drawn towards the imperfect nature of these buildings. I believe they have a story to tell.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“I don't actively try to send a message with my work. To be very honest, I paint what appeals to me. My current monochrome series of ‘Interesting buildings in Ontario’ have a recurring theme which I didn't intend. I am simply drawn to the challenge of each architectural piece. What I've noticed in this series is that I tend to pick buildings that have long since been abandoned. I'm noticing as well a sense of isolation and loneliness. Why is this surprising? I tend to paint when I'm happy and the act of painting makes me happy. I was not out to suggest that somehow I was feeling lonely and isolated. I didn't set out to create this particular theme, alas it has appeared. Who I am is someone who finds beauty in the breakdown. What other people regard as broken down and dilapidated, I look at as beautiful and interesting. I am the type to find beauty in the strangest places. I am happier than I've ever been in my life. I follow my gut and it has served me well. The overall message I want to send with my work is that of hope and promise.”

How would you describe your work?

“My work tends to be highly detailed. I decided to focus more on quality of work versus quantity of work. Last year, I dedicated my time to turning out better pieces. This meant that I made less paintings overall, but the ones I created were of better quality. The result of that decision was improved self-confidence. I have also won several awards both internationally and locally. Being the type of artist I am, I knew that in order for me to break into the international market, I'd have to take my skill to the next level. It may take me weeks or months to finish a piece but the end result is of higher quality. It is worth it to me to take the time and do things right.”

Which artists influence you most?

“The artists who influenced me the most are not famous or well known. They are a part of my local art group called The Port Perry Artist Association. They have had a positive influence on me for the past three and a half years. They've been super encouraging and supportive of my work and offered me constructive criticism when I needed it. I admire their individual talent and dedication to practicing their art. Most of my friends in this group paint for the love of painting. I find inspiration in the average, everyday person who is following their passion. I regard my friends in the Port Perry Artists Association as my greatest influence. They've been there for me when I needed them and I couldn't ask for a better group of people. I'm so fortunate to be surrounded by such talented men and women.”

“My work tends to be highly detailed. I decided to focus more on quality of work versus quantity of work.”

What is your creative process like?

“I find this to be a very interesting question and yet a very difficult thing to articulate. My creative process is inborn and innate. I may not be able to see it but I can feel it and I know it's there. A creative process is difficult to explain because when you know something in your heart, it's hard to put into words. I'll do my best to explain what happens in my mind. I compare it to a rainstorm. There are times when you have no ideas and going through a creative drought. All of a sudden without warning, the storm is brewing and ideas are flowing. The ideas pour out of me like rain from the sky. I am compelled to let them flow until the storm is over.”

What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?

“I firmly believe that artists make this world a more beautiful and interesting place. I can't speak for every other artist but I can speak for myself. I believe my role is to pursue my passion and share it with the world. I also believe that I am here to encourage others to follow their own creative journey. I do not regard myself as better or worse than anybody, instead I am a part of a collective. Working together we can create beautiful and unique pieces of work that add to the beauty all around us. All I want to do is follow my purpose and encourage other people to do the same. The only path to follow is the one you create for yourself.”

Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?

“I had my very first solo show in 2022 in Port Perry at the Townhall 1873 theatre. My second show was at the Kent Farndale Gallery in January 2023 and I'm hoping to have another show next year. This is truly where I got my start and I need to thank everyone involved for making those shows happen. Port Perry has been so supportive of my work from the start. I love my community!

My current monochrome series of "Interesting buildings in Ontario" will be featured August 2024 at the Art Rail in the Whitby Public Library. This is a local venue that I'm so glad to be working with. It's important to nurture local connections with the community. Some of the pieces that will be on display are also featured in this article.

I am so proud to announce that my first International art show was with the Holy Art Gallery in July in Barcelona, Spain! My work was part of their Art on Loop Immersive Experience. My work will also be featured in their Future Stars 2024 Physical and digital art show July 29th-31st in Barcelona, Spain. I’ll have five pieces featured in their Virtual Show which goes from August 22nd – September 22nd. One of those pieces will also be selected and featured on 2 screens in their London Gallery.

A show that is close to home is the Art on Loop Immersive Experience in Toronto. This show runs December 16th - 18th 2024 with the location to be announced. I'll have three pieces featured in this display. As you can tell, I have to send a shout out to the Holy Art Gallery! They are my very first International show and have been nothing but amazing! Thanks for helping my dream come true.”

 
Editorial Team
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