Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Williams.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Lauren. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up in the Dallas area, went to the Journalism School at OU and then moved to Los Angeles after college. I’ve always had an interest in art and design but didn’t study it in college. Thankfully, I was able to explore design through event production while living in Los Angeles after college. From designing Green Rooms backstage for talent to Red Carpet arrival logistics, I was introduced to many different forms of creative execution and problem solving, based on ideas and budget. While in LA, I met my husband, James. We left LA for Dallas after having our first son and lived in various rental homes for our first few years. One specific rental home had a dining room with a wall that was begging for a large piece of art. Unfortunately, my budget for art and my taste for art did not align, so I took it upon myself to create something for the space.
As a self-taught painter, I wanted to create an alternative to canvas art for the wall and had the vision to work with fibers. By suspending hundreds of single fiber strands from a walnut plank, I created my first canvas, but with movement. I deepened the texture of my fiber canvas by adding multiple layers of dye, often times dipping each strand one by one when the design called for it. The result was a one-of-a-kind wall hanging that added interest and originality to our space. My husband, who grew up in the artist culture of Santa Fe was immediately intrigued by my creation and encouraged me to continue exploring this new medium. Soon after, my first fiber creation, I began receiving requests for my art, and worked during the weekends, nap times and after the kids were in bed at night, to create my Canvas With Movement® tapestries. What started as a solution to a blank wall with budget restrictions, has since evolved into our thriving art business.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s never a smooth road running a business. I have to put my faith over my fear constantly so that I can find the perfect balance to running a business and being an artist. Each month, I release a collection of new art and the physical and mental struggle of creating is constant. The pieces are large and require a lot from me physically. Making sure that I have a plan for each piece is important, but being able to creatively shift my plan as the artwork comes to life requires a lot from me creatively as well. As an artist, I never want to rush the artistic process or put out a piece that I’m not proud of. As a business owner, I know I have to hit a number each month in art sales. Making sure I strike the right balance between each of these mindsets is very important.
What do you do? What do you specialize in?
I’m a mixed media artist based out of Dallas, best known for my Canvas With Movement® tapestries. I have a business based online, where I sell fiber art, paintings, and my home collection of pillows and throw blankets, designed to compliment my art collection.
As an artist and business owner, I maintain the role of entrepreneur, creator, stylist, photographer, and marketer for every piece that I create. When I first introduced my Canvas With Movement fiber art through Instagram, it was important that I photographed the pieces in a styled room to show how I envisioned the art to be included in interiors. I think this approach sets me apart from other online artists. Taking the extra step to market my artwork to my ideal clientele in a well-styled interior space has been a vital part of selling exclusively through my own website. I use this experience to share marketing ideas with other artists on Instagram and feel it is a great advantage for artists who use social media as a way to increase their art sales.
I look forward to the opportunity to showcase my work in a gallery setting, but it has not yet been part of my business model. I feel proud that art sales are growing every month with new projects. I’m most proud of how my company is unconventional in the art world. I sell exclusively from www.LaurenWilliamsArt.com and have avoided commissions to third-party sellers. I have been able to maintain control over how my work is depicted, marketed and sold using my social media presence. This has allowed me to grow my business to what it is today, and have a future continuing to create and sell my artwork to designers, art consultants, and collectors all over the world.
Who else deserves credit – have you had mentors, supporters, cheerleaders, advocates, clients or teammates that have played a big role in your success or the success of the business? If so – who are they and what role did they plan/how did they help.
I’m blessed to have so many friends and family members who have supported me, even before LW Art, but this business would not be what it is today without the support, encouragement, advice, guidance, faith, honesty and love of my husband. James is the first person who ever called me an “artist” and has been the voice in my ear that pushes me to unapologetically be the artist I was created to be. There are days when I’m full of doubt, completely disappointed in my work, and he brings in such balance to my thoughts, reminding me that the creative process always includes doubt and fear. As a former film producer, his experience with actors, directors and the creative process, has been a key factor to me understanding how to be an artist, run a business and balance both roles successfully. James is the other half of this business, and on most days, I’d say he is the better half.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.laurenwilliamsart.com
Email: hello@laurenwilliamsart.com
Image Credit:
James Williams, Carley Page
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