We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lauren Piper a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Lauren thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

The best advice I’d give to someone starting in any creative field is to lean into the things that scare you. It’s natural to play to your strengths, and while that can help you build a solid body of work, it can also limit your growth in the long run.
By embracing experimentation and pushing past fear, you expand the tools at your disposal and open yourself up to creative directions you never expected. Maintaining a sense of play and trusting your intuition is essential, it’s what will ultimately lead you to where you need to go.

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

I am a visual artist with over 15 years of experience in the creative industry, specializing in surreal and absurd concepts. My work blends photographic elements with painted textures to create dreamlike atmospheres. My career began in motion graphics, primarily working in film and television, while pursuing personal creative projects on the side.
About two years ago, I reached a turning point became acutely aware of where my energy was going and how much of it I was investing in myself. So, I made the decision to quit, travel, and redirect my focus toward creative projects that truly excite me. I love to think outside the box, experiment, push creative boundaries and approach every project with fresh ideas.
Today, I create both fine art and commercial photography, bringing my conceptual skills and love for experimentation into every project. I thrive on developing creative artistic solutions, whether in personal or commissioned work. I’ve had the opportunity to showcase my work in various shows and competitions, and I was especially excited to exhibit at the Griffin Museum of Photography.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

We can best support the arts as a society by reintegrating them into schools. The loss caused by curriculum cuts is deeply felt, limiting access to creative education and diminishing future audiences for theater, music, and fine art. When people aren’t taught how to engage with and appreciate art, its reach and impact shrink. By prioritizing arts education, we ensure that creativity remains a vital part of our culture and that future generations can continue to experience, support, and contribute to the arts.

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

One of the best things about being an artist is the constant learning. Everything I read, see, or experience on any subject, I can connect with the imagery I create, making every moment feel exciting and meaningful. Society often draws rigid lines between work and play, learning and experience, placing more value on what generates income while deeming everything else less relevant. But true creativity thrives in those in-between spaces.
I love that my personal work informs my commercial work and vice versa. Every new project brings new people, new challenges, and new perspectives, allowing me to continuously grow without ever feeling stagnant.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.laurenjpiper.com/
• Instagram: @laurejenningspiper
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-j-piper-26b87610a/