Catching up with Illustrator Lauren Jackson
We met Lauren this past March at a workshop in Manhattan. Throughout the last few months her work has grown significantly since then- she is creating new and inspiring work on the daily, is a private mentor and does a 24-hour print sale every week. We caught up with her to see where she is at today- to talk about her illustration journey and the path she is taking as a working creative.
Tell us about yourself!
Hi there! My name is Lauren and I’m an illustrator, mentor, and creative living and working in Chicago. What led me to pursue Illustration was a yearning to see more work that represented me. There are tons of amazing artists out there but I wanted to express work that reflected my unique hobbies, the importance of self care, and pride in my identity as a black woman. Illustration for me has been a great way to stretch my creative muscles and learn again.
In what ways has your background, upbringing or any current experiences influence the different themes in your work?
I have a BA in Studio Art with a concentration in Painting, so I use the tactics and techniques I learned in former art classes to inform my work now. I have always thought that more inclusion is necessary in order to move us forward as a collective, so the more work I can put out there that shows women of color and in particular black women in all of our joy, color, and love then that feels like a purposeful way I can create space for our voices to be heard. I also rely heavily on my surroundings and what’s going on in the world to create work that feels connected. We are in an extremely vital time of change and what will hopefully turn into, a universal shift. I wanted to honor that time by showing what self care looks like for me. Sometimes that will be yoga or reading a good book but other times it will be eating tacos and watching Netflix all day. No one really knows what the future holds so I use my art to remind me to stay present, and appreciative of what I have. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it. I’m honored that other people of various backgrounds connect with me and my work and can relate to what they see in their own way.
What is your favorite illustration you’ve created so far? Why?
My favorite illustration I’ve created so far is “Rejuvenate”. I love the colors and I really enjoyed getting lost in the process of doing the linework for all that hair! It was a fun work to create and I’m a big fan of meshing design, pattern, and color to create something fun that hopefully makes you smile.
Do you feel attending a workshop has helped you with what you are currently doing? If yes, how so? What were any big takes out of the experience?
Immensely! I am so grateful that I was able to travel to New York to attend the Illustration workshop hosted by Visionary Projects and led by one of my favorite artists: Amanda Oleander. Before that workshop I was feeling disconnected from my work, and was thinking of taking an extended break from creating all together. The workshop revitalized not only my practice, but my love of creating. I met some amazingly talented people there and we all bonded so quickly. It felt like I’ve known this crew for years, and it was only a few days. My biggest takeaway was that you don’t need to put so much pressure on yourself to create “social media worthy” work all the time. Creating should be fun, experimental, challenging, and enjoyable. It was a treat to spend so much time learning from my peers and from Amanda; I wouldn’t trade my time in that workshop for anything. I encourage everyone to attend a workshop if and when you can (virtual counts too!).
How have you seen your creating process evolve throughout the last year? What are some things you would like to get more into? What do you feel is the hardest part of being a creator today?
I feel like my creative process is more connected and I think that’s what people are responding to. Your audience can tell when you enjoy what you do, and I really love creating illustrations. Next up I am hoping to get more into children’s books illustration. As mentioned I am a mentor and have worked with students in the non-profit art sector in Chicago for many years. Students of all ages and backgrounds. I have a true passion for creating work that makes a younger audience feel seen and will actually be attending a virtual workshop soon to learn more about the children's book illustrations and creating a portfolio. The hardest part about being a creator today is so much of our work is a reflection of what we see and do, and since most of us are still experiencing various forms of quarantine it’s hard to find that spark of creativity. To help with that I’ve been journaling a lot to stay centered, and to express my frustrations, and meditating helps too. Usually I come up with my best ideas when I remember to reflect and take deep breaths. The world as we know it is changing and I’m hopeful that it’s for the better.
Lauren’s website: https://www.locreates.com/
