We were lucky to catch up with Lauren Van Stone recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lauren , appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Currently I’m plugging away at a few comics, striving to get them pitched and published. I’ve also been focusing on a full length comic for Shortbox Comics Fair, which is a fantastic project that releases indie comics from about 100 or so artists every year in October. My work has always focused on family dynamics and interpersonal relationships with a hint of fantasy. The pitch I’ve been working on, Caroline the Great, follows a young witch who strives to be a professional in her craft. Caroline lives in a world where witchcraft is pretty common, albeit controversial. Caroline gets stuck in a private Catholic school instead of the high profile witch academy she dreams of. She ends up uncovering a toxic cycle within her family that she breaks, realizing that her passion for magic doesn’t define her. Her self worth is so intrinsically tied to her craft that she ends up almost losing sight of what really matters. I think there’s a lot of value in communicating to younger audiences that their career ambitions don’t define them. I wish someone had taught me that a little sooner.

Lauren , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a recent graduate from the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, and I’m currently living in the city as a freelance artist and instructor. I’ve always had a deep love for graphic novels and illustration, so I knew from a pretty young age that I’d eventually be working in comics. Sequential art has always been my strength, I really love making detailed character work. I’ve gravitated towards independent publishing lately, with hopes to find an agent sooner than later. Aside from my own comics and writing, I’m always on the lookout for artists or writers who might need assistance in their own comics- I’m able to juggle more than a few projects.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I want to make comics that help people to develop compassion and empathy. If I’m able to make my audience understand and feel for the characters I create, I feel like I’m on the right track. I grew up surrounded by unique, interesting people, so all of my characters ended up being based on them. Of course, every artist wants to be successful, but I think if my work were popular but vapid I wouldn’t really be fulfilled.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Comics are popular just about everywhere and there’s someone in every corner of the world making them. Lambiek has an online compendium of over 14,000 cartoonists from around the world and it makes for great browsing. Kees Kousemaker was a legend, that he was able to compile a record like this one is insane. Everyone has a different process. Comics are time consuming works to create- my work has been in progress for well over a year now on both of my graphic novels, so to be able to look at other artist’s works and career trajectories has silenced the self conscious part of my brain that worries about being constantly productive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.laurenvanstone.com/comics
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laur_vee