Artist in conversation: Lauren Walker "The Artist Within"
“ I put my heart and soul on canvas and regardless of how people respond, I am happy”
Lauren Walker, known as the Artist Within, is an acrylic artist from Port Perry, Ontario, Canada. Her career began three and a half years ago during a challenging period in her life. Art became her saving grace, helping her overcome severe anxiety and depression. For Lauren, art is not just a hobby; it is her purpose.
What initially inspired you to become an artist, and how did you develop your unique style?
I dabbled on and off over the years but never really took it seriously until three and a half years ago. I was going through a very hard time and I was having to manage some mental health issues. I was suffering from depression and anxiety at the time. I needed an outlet for my emotions and I found art to be my saving grace. It allowed me to calm my mind and soothe my soul. I found myself again. I’m happy to say with a lot of time and effort, I overcame my mental health issues and came out stronger than ever. I developed a sense of fearlessness. I knew if I could make it through the most difficult time in my life, I could do anything. I picked up the paintbrush and never looked back. I admit it took a lot of trial and error to find my style. As a self-taught artist, I had the benefit of exploring all kinds of mediums. I wasn’t restricted or bound to a specific set of rules. I found freedom in creation! I found my unique style simply through trying and making a lot of mistakes. I personally believe that style is ever changing and evolving. When we stop evolving as artists, we become complacent. My current style draws me towards highly detailed and complex architectural pieces. I tend to deviate towards monochrome because I love old black and white photos. I’ve learned there are so many values between black and white. Finding the values in between allows me to create harmony in my monochrome pieces.
Do you have any rituals or routines that help you get into a creative mindset when starting a new project?
I don’t have any specific rituals or routines. I’m always in a creative mindset. I sometimes lay in bed at night and think about the current piece I’m working on. If I’m struggling with a particular part of the painting, I think about how to work it out. Even when I’m doing monotonous daily activities, my brain is trying to sort out how to complete my painting. I guess you could say that my mind is always in a state of creativity. I don’t need much motivation to pick up a paintbrush. Creativity is such a part of me that wherever I go, I’m searching for ways to express it. My trouble is not a lack of ideas, it is a lack of time. I often joke that I need two of me! I choose to make the most of the time I have and use it constructively.
How do you approach your creative process, from initial inspiration to final piece?
The creative spark is always there. An idea enters my mind and I am compelled to see it through. I don’t search for inspiration, it finds me constantly. To approach something means to specifically work out how you’re going to execute it. I don’t have a set of rules that I follow, merely a refined instinct. Patience is an absolute must, especially if I’m doing very detailed work. I simply trust my gut and follow where the paintbrush takes me. I don’t get stuck on small details anymore. If I’m struggling with one aspect of the painting, I let it go. A solution always presents itself when I distance myself from the problem. My process is to quite simply, go with the flow.
How do you hope your art impacts those who view it?
What drives me to create is very personal. When somebody looks at my work, their reaction is very personal. I hope my work speaks for itself and allows the audience to have their own unique response. Art is subjective therefore not everyone will have an emotional response to my work. My job as an artist is not to tell the audience how to feel but to simply allow them to feel. Most of all, I hope people feel inspired to follow their creativity after seeing my work. Imagining my art has that kind of impact would make me a true success.
Can you share a particular project that stands out to you and explain the creative process behind it?
For those of you who don’t know, Port Perry is home to the oldest Grain Elevator in Ontario. I was walking down Queen St, Port Perry and I realized I didn’t know much about the town I called home. I decided I wanted to invest my time and learn local history. I have a love of old black and white photos but I couldn’t decide if I wanted to do my first piece in color or monochrome. My very first show in November of 2022 was called, “Old and New: Buildings of Port Perry.” The very first piece I did in that series was called, “Fifty years of the Old Mill.” I chose to do this piece in color and black and white. The rest of the pieces in this series were completed in the same fashion. I researched archival photos with the help of local historian Peter Hvidsten. I wanted to marry the old with the new because I believe our history makes us who we are today. I researched each building and included the history in my show. It took me a year and a half to create 15 pieces in this series and the entire collection was shown at the Kent Farndale Gallery in January 2023.
How do you incorporate feedback from critics and audiences into your artistic practice, and how do you balance this feedback with your own artistic intuition?
When it comes to receiving outside criticism, I have learned the difference between constructive and destructive feedback. Constructive criticism comes from those who want to see you succeed. My instructors offer me very specific steps to help me improve which in turn boosts my self confidence. Destructive criticism comes from those who are interested in tearing down your self confidence. These people only talk to hear themselves talk and have no constructive feedback to help you. I absorb constructive criticism and ignore destructive criticism. I do not ask people for their feedback on my work. Why? That’s the thing about being an artist, I tend to be my own worst critic. I know when something is off about my work. I’ve learned to let it go and a solution always presents itself. I prefer to struggle and find my way through the problem. If someone tells me the answer, I haven’t learned anything. I do not offer criticism unless I am asked directly. Self confidence comes when you learn how to handle a tough situation. At the end of the day, I trust myself to do a good job. I believe I can do anything I set my mind to.
How do you stay motivated and inspired despite any setbacks or creative blocks you may encounter?
I do not experience creative blocks frequently. There are periods of time when I do not have the energy to dedicate to my work. This doesn’t happen because I have a lack of ideas, in fact I have the opposite problem! I still work full time and my job is quite social. When I get home, I find my mental and physical energy is drained. I tune in to my body. When I lack mental or physical energy, I do not paint. It may take a day or a week for my energy to return but when it does, I’m good to go. I prefer being able to focus 100% on what I’m doing. Creating high quality work is important to me. It’s important to be patient and follow what your instincts are saying. I prefer to approach my art with the utmost of energy and enthusiasm, otherwise it feels like work.
How do you feel about exhibiting your artworks with The Holy Art Gallery?
This is truly exciting for me! I have officially checked off another box on my bucket list. When you dream of being an artist, it feels like an impossibility. People may tell you to “Get a real job” and quit dreaming. I knew in my heart that this was my purpose. When you have a purpose in life, nothing will stop you. My goal was to dream beyond the borders of my small town. I knew in my heart that my desire to be extraordinary would take me further but I didn’t know how far. My work showcased in Barcelona on July 19th-21 st and will be in Toronto December 16 th -18 th in your Art on Loop display! I dreamed big but this is truly something I never expected. I am able to exhibit with artists from all over the world it is truly an honor. Stepping up to an international stage is validating everything I believed of myself. Being a professional artist for three and a half years, I feel so blessed because this is happening so early in my career. From one artist to another, I encourage you to keep following your purpose. Dream big and dare to be extraordinary. My sincere thank you to The Holy Art Gallery for this opportunity. You have truly helped this woman from Port Perry, Ontario, Canada make her dream come true!
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations as an artist, and how do you plan to achieve them?
Showcasing internationally was my next aspiration and of course it came true! My next goal is to have my own home studio. We are currently renovating a space at home to help make this happen. I am also applying for the Artist in Residence program at the McLaughlin Gallery in Oshawa, Ontario. I have already applied, so I am awaiting the results. Maybe I’m being bold but so what? My ultimate goal would be to have my work shown in the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) which would be the epitome of success. The only way to make this happen is to keep pushing myself to improve as an artist. It’s a distant dream to be sure, but so was showcasing my work internationally. With time and persistence, anything is possible!
What role does emotion play in your creative process, and how do you aim to evoke specific feelings or reactions from those who view your artworks?
Emotion is not something I’m fully conscious of while I’m creating. I paint to help manage my emotions and I derive a sense of peace from it. I am not an emotional painter per-se. I don’t beat up the canvas if I’m angry or upset. Painting helps me to work out my emotions and focus my energy positively. I am not the type to evoke a particular emotion from my audience. I put my heart and soul on canvas and regardless of how people respond, I am happy. My audience is allowed to have a strong reaction or no reaction at all. Let the audience decide their reaction, that’s my perspective.
