Megan Rowley Stern spends her days balancing art with motherhood. The two aren’t so different, really. Both require nourishment. Each brings untold joy. Sometimes Megan’s oil paintings are a direct nod to motherhood as she captures this fleeting season in real time.
Tale of Two Talents
Growing up, Megan showed talent in both art and music, choosing the former for her profession and graduating with Bachelor of Arts, Studio Art from Brigham Young University. These days she paints landscapes, still life and maternity portraits from her studio in Provo, Utah. Her more whimsical creations include “Dream,” an installation of paper airplanes at her son’s Montessori school, and a new passion project featuring oil painting interpretations of her son’s truck drawings.
When the Sun Comes Up
Megan’s body of work gave us lots of options, but we couldn’t resist featuring “I Know When the Sun Comes Up,” painted during the hazy days of caring for her first-born child. She framed the painting in one of Frame Destination’s new Canvas Floater Frame 797. “I love how Frame Destination’s floater frames showcase my paintings,” Megan told us. “Simple and sleek, they are just the most practical and aesthetically pleasing choice for me.”
See More of Megan’s Work
Megan’s online portfolio is the easiest way to appreciate her work. Check out my Q&A below to learn about her fondness of goal-setting, sketchbooks and her indispensable nitrile gloves.
Now for Artie’s Eight Q&A with Megan Rowley Stern …
1. What is your background; how did you get started?
I remember in sixth grade, my art teacher said she wished she could have a class full of me. She was so encouraging. As I moved on to middle school and high school, however, I got into music, and art took a bit of a back seat for a while. I played all sorts of instruments, but when I finished my freshman year I found that I missed making art. So I took biology over summer school and made room in my schedule amidst my music classes. One of my high school art teachers, Mrs. Adams, sat me down at some point and told me I had a decision to make: Would music or art be my passion? I didn't know. I moved across the country and started college, with both art and music classes in my schedule. It honestly wasn't until I missed the beginning of one of my musical performances to submit my art portfolio for the visual arts program that I realized I had chosen art! And I don't regret it one bit.
2. What role do you think the artist plays in society?
I think artists help society process the human experience. Art has been an integral part of human history. Since before written records, we have evidence of art. Artists take what's happening in the world and help people digest it.
3. What has been a formative experience or the best advice you’ve received within your career?
Set goals. And then do the work. Someone recommended that I write down goals for where I want to be in my career in six months, in a year, and in five years. I did, and having that clear direction has been a huge blessing for me.
4. In what ways does your work reflect your personality?
I am a seeker of order and balance, so that comes through in the composition of my paintings. I like my work to feel grounded and stable.
5. Creative blocks, do you get them? If so, how do you overcome them?
Creative blocks are actually fairly rare for me. As a mom, I am usually bursting with ideas and creative inspiration that comes from watching children grow and discover the world. But when creative blocks do happen, I always know I have sketchbooks full of other ideas to work on for a while. I can put the problem piece on hold for a bit and come back with a fresh perspective later.
6. What is your most indispensable tool? (Not counting the obvious, like paints, brushes, canvas, camera, etc.)
Nitrile gloves are a must! I don't want to accidentally get solvents or paint in food that I cook for my family after I come home from the studio.
7. Do you have a new project you are working on, or a new passionate idea?
I am starting a series of tiny paintings inspired by my son's drawings of trucks and other vehicles. I love the raw expression in kids' art — how nothing is perfectly rendered, and yet the subject is portrayed so honestly. That's something I want to bring back into my work.
8. What is the name of your favorite paint color?
Prussian blue. It's deep and rich, and I think it's just gorgeous.
All artwork and/or photographs used in this post are subject to copyright held by the featured artist.
ARE YOU READY FOR THE SPOTLIGHT? Simply respond to the questionnaire here to apply to be included in an upcoming Artie’s Eight Spotlight.
Last Updated October 27, 2020
Megan Rowley Stern spends her days balancing art with motherhood. The two aren’t so different, really. Both require nourishment. Each brings untold joy. Sometimes Megan’s oil paintings are a direct nod to motherhood as she captures this fleeting season in real time. Tale of Two Talents Growing up, Megan showed talent in both art and […]
Angela’s optimistic-meets-realistic take on life serves her well as a portrait photographer. Connecting with her subjects is important, and when you’re photographing joyful high-school seniors one day and corporate executives the next, you need to adapt your personality accordingly. It also helps to slow down and breathe.
Bringing Out the Best
Having received her first digital JamCam in 2012, Angela has been shooting and learning ever since, and she’s now a PPA Master Photographer as well as a Certified Professional Photographer. Angela blends natural light and strobe lights to create the best imagery for her clients. She also is a big believer in taking her time and allowing herself to create.
Texas State of Mind
Angela is a fan of Frame Destination’s Wood Frame Profile 852 with Crescent 8Ply RagMag Museum mat boards and Non-Glare Acrylic. “It is my favorite presentation for custom fine art portraits, giving that museum-quality touch,” says Angela, who lives in Plano, Texas, not far from our headquarters in Dallas. She adds that her frame orders are “processed so quickly and cut so perfectly, all I have to do is put it together into a beautifully finished product.”
See More of Angela’s Work
For a peek at Angela’s full body of work, visit her online portfolio. For a glimpse into how she got started and which tool is her favorite on a sunny day, read on.
Now for Artie’s Eight Q&A with Angela Navarette …
1. What is your background; how did you get started?
I was a stay-at-home mom with two kids after a long career as a technical writer in the Dallas area. My automatic film camera broke and my husband bought me a small digital JamCam when digital was just emerging. I just kept getting better, more advanced cameras as they came out. My kids were my models as I learned how to shoot manually and understand light. People started noticing my artist’s eye and asking me to take their portraits. I thought to myself, “If I’m going to take portraits, I need to learn how to do it right.” I took my first professional photography class in 2012 and I’ve been taking portraits ever since!
2. How important is it for a photographer to “connect” with their subject?
Oh, it’s so important to be able to make a connection with your subject. Often I have very little time with my subjects, but need to be able to evoke who they are in those few moments. I do my best to make them feel at ease while gauging their personalities. Eyes, posture, and expression are important to the subject’s friends and family in making an instant connection with the portrait.
3. What has been a formative experience or the best advice you’ve received within your career?
The best advice I have received is to slow down and breathe, haha. It seems silly but it is so true. There are so many things we have to think about as photographers, including the technical use of our equipment, the artistry of composition and color harmony, and connecting to our subjects. It’s a lot to take in all at once, and you can’t do any of it if you don’t slow down, breathe, and allow yourself to create.
4. What ways does your work reflect your personality?
I think my work shows that I am a generally happy person. I love bright, saturated colors. I like smiling — I smile a ton! I crack of lot of jokes. I’m easygoing and optimistic, but realistic, too. I think my work also shows that I have a serious side, and it’s quite all right to show your serious side now and again.
5. Creative blocks, do you get them? If so, how do you overcome them?
I DO have creative blocks and I try to combat them by looking at works of others I admire in this industry. Attending an art show or watching a movie helps me to get creative. Going for walks and exercising helps, too.
6. What is your most indispensable tool? (Not counting the obvious, like paints, brushes, canvas, camera, etc.)
At this point in time, it is my Hoodman Loupe. I need to make sure my photos are CLEAR when I take them, or we have just wasted a ton of time together! I love my loupe, especially when shooting outside on a bright day.
7. Do you have a new project you are working on, or a new passionate idea?
I’m always learning and striving to do better for my clients. I am currently enjoying working on lighting techniques in my studio and using gels in my portraits. It’s fun to add those pops of color.
8. What “fad” gadget do you most regret purchasing?
Hmmm, I don’t really buy equipment based on fads. I buy for need, so I constantly make calculated choices that I know will help me do better for my clients. I know that sounds boring, but it’s true — especially for a generally animated, spontaneous person like me!
All artwork and/or photographs used in this post are subject to copyright held by the featured artist.
ARE YOU READY FOR THE SPOTLIGHT? Simply respond to the questionnaire here to apply
to be included in an upcoming Artie’s Eight Spotlight.
Last Updated October 27, 2020
Angela’s optimistic-meets-realistic take on life serves her well as a portrait photographer. Connecting with her subjects is important, and when you’re photographing joyful high-school seniors one day and corporate executives the next, you need to adapt your personality accordingly. It also helps to slow down and breathe. Bringing Out the Best Having received her first […]
For many of us, bright colors can be a healing balm to a battered spirit. This is especially true in the artwork of Christopher Johnson, a self-taught abstract oil painter from Nyack, New York, who left a 20-year advertising career to pursue fine art full time.
Hope Unfolds
Prompted by his recovery from addiction, Christopher was 47 years old when he decided to pour into his passion. He uses vibrant color palettes and precise line work to inspire serenity, joy, courage and most of all hope. Christopher begins each project on the right side of the canvas with one or more marks. From there, the creative process unfolds organically.
Miami Art Basel
The painting we’re featuring here is titled “Bruised, Battered, But Not Broken,” framed with our Canvas Floater M014 in Matte Black. Christopher was exhibiting this very painting at Miami Art Basel in autumn 2019 when he realized some framing hardware was missing. (Yes, we’re human!) Christopher explains, “I waited to assemble one of the frames the night before I left for Miami only to realize that some of the hardware was missing. I called Frame Destination the next day. They overnighted the hardware I needed to my Hotel in Miami allowing me to put the frame on the piece I wanted to show. They were super friendly and there was no hassle at all getting what I needed, quickly.” We’re just happy he was able to display his work elegantly at such an esteemed art show.
See More of Christopher’s Work
You can follow Christopher’s journey on Instagram. In my Artie’s Eight Q&A below, discover Christopher’s most indispensable tools, and why his work is not a reflection of his personality.
Now for Artie’s Eight Q&A with Christopher Johnson…
1. What is your background; how did you get started?
From my earliest childhood memories, I was always a creative and visual thinker. I loved "making" things: painting, ceramics, sculptures, etc. However, I did not pursue a career as an artist due to fear. It wasn't until my life completely fell apart that I finally decided to pursue my true passion and be true to myself. At age 47, I walked away from a career in advertising to pursue my artwork. The passion for abstract oil painting was first lit in high school when I realized I had a knack to express myself in bold, colorful and thoughtful ways. I have nurtured this passion for the past three years, and my career as an artist is unfolding in ways I never thought it would.
2. What role do you think the artist plays in society?
As artists, our role is critical. Creative expression is vital to a healthy and open-minded society. Artwork inspires people, gives them hope and can touch a soul in a way that words cannot. The artist has a unique skillset to influence, inspire and help others.
3. What has been a formative experience or the best advice you’ve received within your career?
The formative experience for me was going through the pain and horror of addiction and then finding a way out through a recovery program. That program required deep self-discovery and change. Through that process I found the courage I needed to pursue my art, but also discovered the full extent of my passion.
4. What ways does your work reflect your personality?
My work reflects my experiences and gratitude more than it does my personality. I'm a very quiet, laid-back, calm and introspective person. My work is vibrant, bold and full of life. The one area that my work reflects my personality is the thoughtfulness of the ideas behind my paintings.
5. Creative blocks, do you get them? If so, how do you overcome them?
My mental health issues can cause blocks. I have severe depression, anxiety and OCD. Those can be extremely debilitating and block me from my creative process. Another issue I face is my need for perfection. It can paralyze me mentally making it difficult to even start. There are a few things I do that have proven helpful to overcoming creative blocks. One is guided mediation; it clears my head and puts me in more relaxed mindset, allowing me to just let go and create. Exercise and stepping away from it all is another. Lastly, when I’m really stuck, I will just pull out a new canvas, grab some blue oil paints and simply start with no idea in mind.
6. What is your most indispensable tool? (Not counting the obvious, like paints, brushes, canvas, camera, etc.)
I would definitely say patience. I work solely with oil paint. Blending and line work are two major elements of my style. As a result, my pieces take a long time as I have to wait for sections to dry at varying lengths in order to achieve the desired blending and precise line work. My other must-haves are phthalo blue oil paint and my #12 bright natural bristle brush.
7. Do you have a new project you are working on, or a new passionate idea?
Yes, in 2020 I am working on a new series of works that tell the other side of my story. To date, my works have focused mostly on the positive experiences and feelings associated with finding recovery and what recovery has done for me — concepts like hope, perspective, harmony, etc. This year I will be focused on expressing the more painful part of my story and what led me to recovery.
8. What is your favorite paint color name?
Phthalo Blue. Blue is my go-to favorite color, and for some reason it allows me to blend and get different hues more than any other color.
All artwork and/or photographs used in this post are subject to copyright held by the featured artist.
ARE YOU READY FOR THE SPOTLIGHT? Simply respond to the questionnaire here to apply
to be included in an upcoming Artie’s Eight Spotlight.
Last Updated October 27, 2020
For many of us, bright colors can be a healing balm to a battered spirit. This is especially true in the artwork of Christopher Johnson, a self-taught abstract oil painter from Nyack, New York, who left a 20-year advertising career to pursue fine art full time. Hope Unfolds Prompted by his recovery from addiction, Christopher […]
Charles Andrade (pronounced ahn-drah-day) is equal parts artist and thinker. From his early endeavors as an art therapist to his more current passion for chalk pastels and custom wall designs, Charles gives rich, meditative thought to his work. Especially to color.
The Theory that Changed Everything
Although Charles studied painting and art therapy in England, his fascination with color began when he was introduced to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The 19th-century German writer’s ideas inspired the young artist to study the interplay among light, darkness, humanity and spirituality. These principles have impacted his entire art career, including teaching positions from Aspen to Auckland.
Fine Art, Murals and Workshops
Charles currently lives in Roaring Fork Valley, Colorado, where he creates fine art on canvas using pastels, watermedia and digital mixed media. For the chalk pastels piece shown here, titled “Mother Worries,” Charles used Frame Destination Wood Frame Profile 502A in Graphite, along with Papermat-WC 4-Ply mats. “Frame Destination was very helpful, offering a wide selection of different sizes and colors for mats and frames to complement my artwork — as well as excellent customer service,” Charles says.
In addition to his fine art, Charles owns and operates Lazure Custom Wall Designs, a mural and decorative painting business specializing in a European glazing finish called Lazure. He also teaches, lectures and offers workshops around the world.
See More of Charles’s Work
Much of Charles’s work is featured on his Lazure website. He posts current projects (and even some guitar strumming) on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube. As a black-and-white furry mammal, I thoroughly enjoyed being schooled on color by Charles during our Q&A. Check out his responses below for an inside peek into a new passion project and his favorite paint color name (hint: his wife made it up).
Now for Artie’s Eight Q&A with Charles Andrade …
1. What is your background; how did you get started?
Artistic activity was always in my childhood growing up. I did cartoons for our middle school along with another student. In university I majored in art (watercolor painting) but found it lacking in proper classic instruction of the basics of color, value and form. (It was the ’70s, what can I say?) During post-grad work in art therapy in England, I discovered Goethe's color theory and everything changed. His concept of color mediating between light and darkness opened up a world of new and more objective understanding of light, color and darkness related to human thinking, feeling and will. It set me on a new path to discerning my role as an artist and the creative process. It is a richly rewarding and still evolving relationship as I learn to listen to what color has to say to me. I am definitely a better person and artist for following this new approach to the world of color as it breathes between the polarities of light and darkness.
2. What role do you think the artist plays in society?
I believe that Western culture has pretty much exhausted the psychological underpinning of what is needed to create art. What I see too often now in galleries and museums is the same as what I saw 30 years ago working in mental hospitals in America and England, only now it has the stamp of financial approval. Historically, art has been a mediator between the spiritual and the corporeal in guiding humans to a more balanced and informed approach to life and what it means to be human. In our current cultural milieu, that has pretty much been lost as we continue to troll through the detritus of our narcissistic self-image for inspiration. The arts need a renewal: we need to become more objective and compassionate toward the elements we work with. For me as a painter, color is my medium, so the nature of color — the expansive quality of yellow, the dynamic power of red and the distant healing nature of blue — are the moral qualities (as they relate to human psychology) that I need to listen to in order to gain new inspiration to paint. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe understood this as he studied the phenomenal nature of color and its intrinsic relationship to human psychology. Only by listening to the spiritual foundations of nature can humanity arrive at a more objective and morally compassionate orientation toward what is needed to be created for the self and for society. We have detached ourselves from nature for too long; this damaged relationship has harmed us both, and now we need to mend the break before it is too late for healing.
3. What has been a formative experience or the best advice you’ve received within your career?
My entire artistic career pivoted on my learning Goethe's color theory and the wealth of knowledge his approach held to bridging the increasing gap between man and nature. Further investigation into the work of his most prominent student, Rudolf Steiner, solidified my philosophical orientation as a human being AND an artist.
4. What ways does your work reflect your personality?
I hope my work expresses the continued striving into nuanced color relationships that are based on an informed and more objective understanding of light, color and darkness.
5. Creative blocks, do you get them? If so, how do you overcome them?
I've discovered that time and distance (physical and soulful) are great remedies to creative blocks.
6. What is your most indispensable tool? (Not counting the obvious, like paints, brushes, canvas, camera, etc.)
While new mediums offer delightful distractions and sometimes clever insights to my work, it is more important to simply be observant and to listen to what the colors ask of me. This approach rarely disappoints.
7. Do you have a new project you are working on, or a new passionate idea?
I recently taught a painting course on “Imaging the Feminine,” and the research I did for it offered a wealth of material for me to create from. Currently I'm working on a series of interpretations of the iconic Lady of Guadalupe and her mystery. Very eye-opening material as I wrestle with the spiritual force behind this inspiring spiritual figure.
8. What is your favorite paint color name?
“Vermillion Velvet.” This is a custom color we had made for our DIY Lazure painting kit. My wife came up with the name!
All artwork and/or photographs used in this post are subject to copyright held by the featured artist.
ARE YOU READY FOR THE SPOTLIGHT? Simply respond to the questionnaire here to apply
to be included in an upcoming Artie’s Eight Spotlight
Last Updated October 27, 2020
Charles Andrade (pronounced ahn-drah-day) is equal parts artist and thinker. From his early endeavors as an art therapist to his more current passion for chalk pastels and custom wall designs, Charles gives rich, meditative thought to his work. Especially to color. The Theory that Changed Everything Although Charles studied painting and art therapy in England, […]
Have you heard the story of the little boy who complained that his mom gave him too many green beans? When she told him he could just eat half, he bit into half of each green bean, leaving the remnants on his plate.
Often we assume people know things that they don’t. Not because the process is too complex, but simply because no one ever told them explicitly what to do. This certainly applies to hanging framed pictures. Some (maybe all) of these guidelines will be perfectly obvious to you. Others may be new information.
Let’s give a voice to some of these unspoken rules, shall we?
1. Prioritize the Process
Choose your frame style first, art location second and arrangement (if multiple frames) third. How do you choose your frame style? That depends on the look you’re going for, and it probably depends on your interior design preference. If you can hone in on the vibe you lean toward—i.e., Coastal, Contemporary, Modern Farmhouse or Mid-Century Modern—then it’s easy to choose frames that suit the ambience you’re creating.
2. Not Every Artwork Needs a Mat Board
Mat boards are a great way to enhance a painting or a photograph, and they give an extra presence to smaller works. However, they aren’t a must in every situation. For example, you can go sans mat with watercolors and artwork on textured paper. Because of their large physical presence, framing movie or concert posters are also good to go without needing a mat.
3. Mix Wood and Metal Frames—but Unify
Wood tends to be traditional, while metal has a modern feel. Can you display both in the same room? Yes! But I do suggest unifying them in terms of color or texture. For example, using a textured metal frame like our Profile 99 in Satin Black with our textured wood frame Profile 543 in Black Dune. For more on wood vs. metal, see our article on How to Choose Between a Wood and Metal Frame.
4. Symmetry Isn’t the Only Way
If you’re displaying a group of paintings or photos on a wall, a symmetrical design is the usual format. For example, six frames that are the same size might be placed three-by-three, evenly spaced. Using an odd number of frames creates asymmetry for a more casual, relaxed look. Five frames of varying sizes placed in a staggered arrangement would be an example of asymmetry.
5. Venture into Unexpected Rooms
Like your closet. After all, we step into them every morning to get dressed. Looking at a piece of art, particularly something inspirational, is a great way to start the day. We know of one boutique hotel company that hired a local artist to create hand-drawn birds and palm leaves in the closets of their Miami property. What a lovely surprise for guests! Bathrooms are another room we enter every day. Because of the high humidity and changing temperatures in bathrooms, metal frames or art will be a better option than wood. In fact, we have a special list of tips for hanging art in bathrooms.
6. Consider the Spacing Between Frames
I’ve seen groupings spaced as close together as 1/32” and as spread apart as several feet. Very tight and wide-spaced groupings can work in some applications like tiny rooms or giant walls. But the standard is around two to four inches, with six inches being the maximum to keep the viewer’s focus. To dive deeper into this topic, see our post on “Creating an Art Gallery—at Home.” Of course, rules can be broken. It’s just good to know the rules before we break them.
7. Straighten Up
I’m easy-going by nature, but I have to admit that crooked pictures drive me slightly crazy. It’s all I can do to keep from straightening the offender if I see a tilted picture at a restaurant, or heaven forbid, a friend’s house. Our post on How to Keep Picture Frames Straight addresses this very issue, with clever tips like using two hooks rather than just one.
A Few Bonus Notes
• Glazing is an overlooked, but critically important, part of framing.
• Cardboard does not make good backing for photos or art, and will accelerate your art’s decay. Choose a specific backing material such as acid-free PaperMat Backing which is ideal for artwork protection and support.
• Don’t hang your frame on a nail hammered into the wall. Use quality hanging hardware with wire.
• Finally, if you’d like to go a bit deeper, check out these advanced framing tricks which give you insights into using spacers, additional backing for Museum-worthy presentations, and creating special effects with floats and glazing.
Now that you’ve got the lowdown on hanging your framed pictures, you’re all set to fill a wall with something beautiful. If you have any questions, we’re always here to help.
Have you heard the story of the little boy who complained that his mom gave him too many green beans? When she told him he could just eat half, he bit into half of each green bean, leaving the remnants on his plate. Often we assume people know things that they don’t. Not because the […]
When Lauren Aczon’s parents gave her office supplies to play with as a child, she transformed them into mini works of art. In fact, she still has the drawings, hole punches and color-coded dot labels she created as a kid.
Mapping Out an Artful Life
These days, Lauren channels her artistic talent into hand-crafted 3D nautical charts and historic maps. Drawn to the unseen layers of the ocean, her paper portrayals range from the Scottish lochs to the Cancun coastline to the Hawaiian islands. The artwork featured at the top of this page is a depiction of the San Francisco Bay Area in 1974. “I just love the classic typeface and line styles from that period,” Lauren says.
Stories Beneath the Surface
Lauren enjoys working on commissions that have a personal connection. One family requested a 3D chart of the Aegean Sea as a surprise birthday gift for their sailor father. Another patron commissioned a chart to celebrate a rock climber’s favorite bouldering spot at Palisade Head, Minnesota.
Framing with Care
Lauren’s process is painstaking. She builds layer upon layer of paper and craft foam, cutting the paper with an X-Acto knife and the foam with a hot wire cutter. She frames each work in her Oakland, California, studio, using Frame Destination’s UV glass to protect the intricate work. “The glass you offer lets the work shine through so crisp and clear!” Lauren says. That makes our day.
See More of Her Work
As a globe-trotting panda, I enjoyed perusing Lauren’s artistic maps from all over the world. You can do the same by visiting Neptune Maps, Instagram and Facebook. Don’t miss my Q&A below, where Lauren shares her perspective on the artist’s role in society, her most important art tool and more.
Now for Artie’s Eight Q&A with Lauren Aczon…
1. What is your background; how did you get started?
I have always been an artist. Recently I bought a business from someone who was aligned enough with my goal that I decided to run the business as is for a few years to learn the industry, then start substituting my own content.
2. What role do you think the artist plays in society?
I think artists have an opportunity to invite people to slow down, get closer and take notice. We play a unique role: to bring lightness or introspection to topics that can be heavy and impersonal; to make personal or singular what feels global, immense and collective; and everything in between. My own artwork likes to bring viewers closer in order to notice and wonder.
3. What has been a formative experience or the best advice you’ve received within your career?
It came from a large book titled In the Company of Women: Inspiration and Advice from over 100 Makers, Artists, and Entrepreneurs by Grace Bonney. In that book, Northwest artist Sarah Nauman reminded me that people aren’t just what they do or images on a page. They are energy; we are all energy.
4. What ways does your work reflect your personality?
It is multi-layered, carefully composed, comprising parts to make a whole. The presence of maps and travel imagery evoke my own wanderlust, yet everything is oriented toward the fact that I am grounded in myself, no matter where I’m going.
5. Creative blocks, do you get them? If so, how do you overcome them?
Of course I do, and I’m not sure that I ever overcome them! I take a break, drink a hot beverage, call my mom, or take a walk with a friend. Then just keep going.
6. What is your most indispensable tool? (Not counting the obvious, like paints, brushes, canvas, camera, etc.)
Masking tape.
7. Do you have a new project you are working on, or a new passionate idea?
I want to create a series of houses in Oakland, rendered in multiple layers like the work I already do. There’s some pretty compelling stuff happening with housing in Oakland. I think it’s the right moment for this project, which I have been formulating for many years now.
8. What is your favorite paint color name?
I don't know about favorite, but there's a paint color name I'll never forget. A few years ago I was browsing colors for our spare bedroom and came across "Lauren's Surprise" — a pale blue — which tickled me simply because my name is Lauren. I was new to Instagram at the time, and posted of a photo the paint chip thinking it was cute; when, lo and behold, everyone read between the lines and thought I was pregnant! (I was not.) The likes came flooding in! Needless to say, we ended up picking "Fleur de Sel,” another pale blue.
All artwork and/or photographs used in this post are subject to copyright held by the featured artist.
ARE YOU READY FOR THE SPOTLIGHT? Simply respond to the questionnaire here to apply to be included in an upcoming Artie’s Eight Spotlight
When Lauren Aczon’s parents gave her office supplies to play with as a child, she transformed them into mini works of art. In fact, she still has the drawings, hole punches and color-coded dot labels she created as a kid. Mapping Out an Artful Life These days, Lauren channels her artistic talent into hand-crafted 3D […]