Guest Artist Series - Lauren Duncan
I’m starting a new series on the blog where I am featuring some of my fellow artist friends.
I thought this would not only share awareness to what they’re doing (and maybe they will gain a few new followers out of it), but I also want these posts to be relatable (not aspirational). As an artist and mother, I want to know that other artist/mothers struggle just like I do. I mean, we’re all human, amiright? I can’t be the only one who follows those artist/mothers who seem to have it all together. They seem to be a perfect mother who gets to spend tons of time with their kids, they have a beautiful home that always seems to be perfectly clean (dog hair blowing around like tumbleweeds over here…), they have unlimited time for their artwork, they have time for yoga and/or lunch dates with girlfriends, AND they always have time to post on social media multiple times each week.
That’s not real life... at least it’s not MY real life!
So today we’re featuring my good friend, Lauren Duncan.
Lauren Duncan
You can find Lauren on Instagram at @laurenjohnstonduncan, Facebook, and her website.
Tell me a bit about yourself.
I am an artist, art educator, writer, and foster mom always looking for ways to encourage or inspire those around me. I think of my paintings as my prayers and personal way to worship Christ. I especially love sharing ways the Lord brings peace to my life through art!
What kind of art do you do?
I create in ever-evolving ways but mostly large mixed media pieces on canvas (mostly acrylic and oil) and very small watercolors. With 3 foster babies ages 3 and under, watercolor is the easiest to get out and create with during nap time!
What kind of art do you WANT to be doing?
I would LOVE to create more large series based on specific scriptures – really dive into the Word and take time to process and express how it speaks to me.
What does your daily schedule look like?
Um, Schedule?! Before quarantine, I dropped all our little people at preschool from 9-12 while I went to work at J&M/The LocAL Market. We would head home for lunch, play and naps. I would create during nap time. Gym or activity in the afternoon, dinner, bedtime…
What would your IDEAL daily schedule look like?
I would love to go right back to that schedule!
How do you make time for your art?
I have to work hard to make it a priority. It helps me to make lists or ideas during other parts of my day and then work through the list during nap/studio time.
What does your creative process look like?
Prayer, listening, being, waiting…creating!
What are some things you struggle with as a mom?
For sure the balance working at home. My little people get out of control quickly if I am trying to work on something else. This is why I {TRY} to just keep lists of ideas going and then create later when they are sleeping or have a sitter.
What are some things you struggle with as an artist?
I think the big thing is fear. I make things that I don’t plan and often haven’t seen anything similar to before – so I get nervous about people’s responses. I think that is just part of being an artist!
How do you overcome those struggles?
Pray! Sometimes I send blogs or ideas to friends before I post to make sure I’m not way out there☺
Where do you want to be as an artist (where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?)
I don’t have an exact plan – I have had to let go of plans years ago. I pray I am still in a place mentally, physically, financially that I can continue creating. I mean – really – I would love to be creating large paintings….and have an assistant that can help manage all the “stuff” that goes with inventory, web order, taxes, etc so I can just make stuff!
Where do you share and/or sell your artwork?
Instagram is a great outlet for me. My Auburn work sells well at J&M/The LocAL Market. I also have work in Chirpwood in Opelika and Gallery 509 in Selma.
Where do you go for inspiration?
The Bible, outside…
Who are some of your favorite artists?
Jackson Pollock – I totally buy into/relate to “process” painting
What other artists do you like and/or follow on social media?
Josie Lewis and Christie Macey … and tons of others you probably already follow.
I am so grateful to Lauren for taking some time out of her current self-quarantine #WFH schedule to answer these questions for me. I feel better knowing other mothers/artists struggle with some of the same things I struggle with.
What are some of the things Lauren said that resonated with you?
What are some additional questions you would like me to ask my next guest artist?
Don’t forget to go follow Lauren on Instagram at @laurenjohnstonduncan, Facebook, and her website and let her know you learned about her from this blog post!