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

Lauren, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

From a young age (2 years old to be exact), I always loved to draw and be creative. The love and passion that I had for art led me to pursue a Fine Arts degree with a concentration in illustration. My college education definitely increased my creativity, knowledge, and skills. More importantly, I became a more well-rounded artist and discovered my own style and my own voice. After graduation in August 2007, with diploma in hand, I searched for a job as an illustrator. Unfortunately, the recession that hit our economy in 2008 impacted the job market, especially jobs in the creative field. As a result, I had to follow another path. I decided to open my own business as a freelance illustrator and graphic artist. This was the “birth of Miss Lacy Studios, LLC.”
I also have a company known as MLS Denim where I create denim artwork, and distressed denim fashion. The artwork is something that I began doing in April 2022. So far it has been an AMAZING experience and I am looking forward to what is next!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

So like I stated Bedford I have been an artist since 2 years old. After graduation in August 2007, with diploma in hand, I searched for a job as an illustrator. Unfortunately, the recession that hit our economy in 2008 impacted the job market, especially jobs in the creative field. As a result, I had to follow another path. I decided to open my own business as a freelance illustrator and graphic artist. This was the “birth of Miss Lacy Studios, LLC.”
In business for over 14 years, Miss Lacy Studios, LLC and MLS Denim, produces creative work that includes:
-denim artwork
-denim fashions
-business branding
-illustrations for children’s books
-website graphics
-fashion illustrations
-character designs and so much more!
I honestly can say that I am most proud of the fact that I can solve my clients problems with my visual expertise. When I make something beautiful and something that makes people really think I feel that this is the way I, “problem-solve.”

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

I love (not like :-)) that there are no boundaries when creating art and fashion. That might honestly be one of the best things about the art industry. Not every artist/designer is the same, some can push the limits of art + fashion to its absolute brink, while others are minimalist and make an impact with very little. But, these two extremes are neither right nor wrong, and there is a place for both in this industry. With Miss Lacy Studios, LLC and MLS Denim I am able to test and experiment with techniques and designs and no matter what I create, it all has a place in this industry. So I love that I construct pieces that can evoke an emotion, and I appreciate the freedom I have to be my own type of designer.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

One struggle that I had (this pertains to Miss Lacy Studios, LLC and MLS Denim), was the lack of a steady flow of new and returning customers. This made “cash-flow” inconsistent at times. Another challenge (and I think that a lot of entrepreneurs can relate to this issue) is being fairly paid for the products and/or services I provide. Oftentimes, potential customers will attempt to “lowball” or barter with an artist to obtain and lower the price. They may not realize that when dealing with my compnies, they are dealing with a company that has fixed costs and expenses that must be factored into every product and/or service being offered.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.misslacystudios.com
• Instagram: @misslacystudios and @mls_denim
• Facebook: Facebook.com/misslacystudios
• Linkedin: LinkedIn.com/in/Lauren Lacy
• Twitter: @MLacyStudios and @MLSDenim
• Youtube: Miss Lacy Studios-MLS Denim