Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lauren Crowe. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Lauren, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I was first introduced to relief printmaking while studying graphic design at Appalachian State University. I only took one printmaking class but it was immensely valuable to my creative journey. I graduated with my BFA in graphic design in 2016 and worked as a full-time graphic designer for a humanitarian aid non-profit organization for five years while also practicing printmaking from my home studio. I worked nights and weekends developing my skills in printmaking while selling locally and online. I was torn for several years because although I dreamed of being a printmaker, I really liked my graphic design job and I was really passionate about the mission behind the organization. It was difficult balancing both and I was very burned out at times.

By 2022, responsibilities of becoming a mother pushed me to choose one or the other. I knew deep down that I was much more in my element away from the screen making things with my hands. I made the scary move of becoming a full-time artist in the beginning of 2023.

Although I could have developed my business faster if I had left by job sooner, I learned so much in those first five years as a graphic designer. My graphic design background and digital skills are useful for things like developing print ideas, marketing materials and even designing my website. It’s really interesting how the subjects overlap.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am the artist behind The White Crowe, a fine art studio located in the High Country of North Carolina that specializes in relief printmaking. Each original print is made from a hand-carved block, printed using high-quality and archival materials, and published in limited editions.

One of the main benefits of printmaking is that it allows artists to produce original multiples of their work, which makes the individual pieces more affordable to collectors.

I fell in love with printmaking because it is a precise and deliberate process that requires a great deal of intentionality and mindfulness on the part of the artist. The artist must carefully plan out each step of the process, from creating the image on the printing plate to selecting the paper and ink to use. This level of attention to detail often leads to unexpected and beautiful results.

The slower pace of printmaking also encourages artists to take their time and pay close attention to the materials they are using. This can lead to the development of textures, embossing, and other valuable imperfections that lend each piece its own unique character. These imperfections can make each print feel more personal and intimate, as if the artist has left a part of themselves in the work.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

My Instagram first started out as my personal account but I also posted creative work on there as well. Once I started The White Crowe it became a more professional account showcasing my process and current work. I primarily use it as a tool to document each stage of my process as well as connect to my collectors.

My Instagram has grown steadily over 5 years but even as my account continues to grow, I’ve definitely seen a shift in the amount of interaction over past two years. Social media seems to be a sensitive topic for creatives today. Platforms have changed in ways that make it seem harder and harder to be seen by our own followers. I’ve shared this frustration as well but I try not to spend too much time on things I don’t have control over.

There are a lot of marketing gurus out there sharing advice about the ever changing algorithms so my advice would be to follow one of these accounts to stay up-to-date on the shifts between platforms. You also want to make sure you are posting valuable and high-quality content. Social media is a bit oversaturated these days so how can your account stand out from others in your field? What can you offer your audience? With that in mind, don’t let yourself get overwhelmed by feeling like your content needs to be perfect. The more you create, the more your posts will improve overtime.

All that to say, social media is an advertising and blogging tool but it can also be an unpredictable time sucker. Continue to use social media as a networking tool but make sure you are fostering other ways of marketing such as a newsletter where you can reach your audience directly.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Although, I wouldn’t say an individual should make art to please others but it does fill my heart to see how people connect with my work. A lot of my prints are inspired by local surroundings and I love when collectors share their connection and story to each subject area.

I also love it when people tell me that my work has inspired them to make art again.

Contact Info:

• Website: thewhitecrowe.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/thewhitecrowe
• Facebook: facebook.com/thewhitecrowe