We recently connected with Lauren Duvall and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Lauren thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I learned to do what I do by observing the things and people around me and experimenting. I see the beauty in every part of nature that I come across. The way the clouds in the sky look at the time of golden hours, the water glistening in the sunlight as the current goes, how peaceful the quietness of the forest can be when you’re alone, and how the soft wind and warm sun feel like a loving embrace. Growing up, my dad always told me to be a jack of all trades and a master of none. The older I get, the more I am inspired to be and see myself as being now with all the experimentation I’ve done with my art in all different types of mediums of the visual and performing arts. Something that I would’ve done to speed up my process is to find artists and media that strike a chord with me and to be more in tune with myself than what the people around me are. I would also experiment a lot more with my art and be more open to the concept of it, not having to be perfect every time.

The most essential skills for me are utilizing colors when it comes to shading and highlighting. Usually, people would shade with black or mix black with another color to get a darker shade of what they want, and the same process with the highlights. With me, I use a darker color to use as my shadows and highlights. For example: if I’m using green, I would use a deep blue for the shadows and a bright yellow for the highlights. For pinks, I would use a blueish purple for shadows and a bright pink or yellow for the highlights, and so on. I feel like it brings more life into the piece doing it this way.

Obstacles that stood in my way of learning were closing my mind off to stylize my art to match myself as a person. I would always go with something more realistic looking, especially with colors and how I draw environments, people, and animals. Another obstacle I struggled with was feeling like I was in another person’s shadow when it came to my art. Mostly because I wasn’t being myself, just a model of what I thought I should be.

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

I am an illustrator searching for representation to illustrate picture books, and book covers for middle grade and YA for the publishing industry. My style varies from whimsical, fun, and soft to being more mysterious and moody. My style is heavily influenced by the books I’ve read and the media I’ve consumed nowadays, my love for nature (especially the woods), dungeons and dragons, and my family and friends. The books that have inspired my art are “Spring’s Sprung” by Lynn Plourde, “Greta and the Giants” by Zoë Tucker, “The Whatifs” by Emily Kilgore, “Pearl” by Molly Idle, and “Anne of Green Gables” illustrated by Jamie Green. Media-wise, I’m super inspired by Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure animation series, Hilda show, and the show Bluey. I add sources of iconography into my pieces to add a deeper meaning to the pieces I create. Mostly the representation of flowers and things like that.

I currently offer up personal, commercial, and tattoo design commissions and sell customized embroidered beanies, custom pins, and various prints, stickers, and original artwork.

The problems I solve for my clients are bringing their ideas to life and listening to them whenever they have an edit they’d like to make with the piece I’m making for them. What sets me apart from everyone else is that I’m a jack of all trades because I am willing to push myself to do new things and venture into new areas outside my comfort zone.

Something that I’m proud of is the growth that I see in myself and as an artist. I felt lost in what I was doing, didn’t know which path to take as an artist, and didn’t have much confidence while in college. But, after continuing to better myself and grow as an artist, I’ve found my path and possibly a couple of other avenues I could venture into that I never thought I would do when I was younger. I have also gained confidence in myself and my art.

If you would take something away from me as an artist, is that I am super passionate about any project I am handed, and I am super dedicated and determined to finish it no matter what is thrown at me. Art has always been a part of my life, and I want to inspire others to see the beauty in the little things around them through my art as I do in my day-to-day life.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding thing for me as an artist is seeing people’s smiles when they connect with my art because it aligns with their interests. Nothing makes my heart flutter more than seeing people smiling and enjoying my art.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I’ve been building my audience slowly on social media. From the wise words of Andy J. Pizza from the Creative Pep Talk, it’s best to think about social media as a way to connect with a few people that will become your true fans rather than worrying about getting and appealing to millions of people. Aim for stability or virality. Become a guide to the people who follow you to become your true fan. Having meaningful connections with your audience is more important than how many likes or followers you have.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://laurelsketches.wixsite.com/mysite
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/laurelsketches_?igshid=MmIzYWVlNDQ5Yg==
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/laurelsketches/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurelsketches
• Other: Commission form: https://forms.gle/EkMtaBu23d6gwZGa6