We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lauren West. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lauren below.

Lauren, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

It’s a bit of a cheat to say this was my first dollar earned as a creative but it was certainly the most significant, and that was when I received my first check from Playboy Enterprises International. I had been using vintage Playboy magazines in my collage work since I was 18 years old and a decade plus later, Playboy themselves wanted me to make collage work for them. It was a dream come true. I still have that check up on my wall (thank you online deposit!)

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

I am a multidisciplinary artist focused on collage, fashion, & film. Across my work are themes of female sexuality, release from bondage, and ‘the modern cowboy.’ In my time as a collage artist I have worked with Playboy and the LA times and have shown work across Los Angeles and the Bay Area. I had my directorial debut showing the art erotic film The Empress, at Failed Films 2019 where I am also a producer and curator. My education is in Fashion Design and I have experience working in theatre and film as a costumer. Currently I am working on a collection of modern western wear under the moniker Far Out West.

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

Art is therapy. It truly helps you get to know yourself. When I put together a collage piece after hours of wading through hundreds if not thousands of images and whittle it down to just a few on a piece of paper; it tells me a story of how I am feeling and what I am going through. It helps me reflect. It helps me work through trauma. It helps me feel empowered and have a voice. Being able to wordlessly bring that vulnerability out of myself and to an audience is extremely rewarding.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

As someone who also spends time working in a “non-creative” field, I think that you can find the creativity in anything. Every problem you solve in life or at work is a creative endeavor. We have options a-z and your knowledge and experience leading up to this point led you to make x choice. I know people who feel lost or that they are missing something because they aren’t passionate about their jobs (I get it!) but then they also are the most incredible trip planners, or are food connoisseurs. I say just because you aren’t showcasing at a gallery, or pumping out work all the time (to the creative detriment of most artists that feel like they have to in order to keep up with the algorithms by the way!) doesn’t mean you aren’t a creative. Find your creativity in that slow sip of coffee you made this morning.

Contact Info:

• Website: lauren-west.com
• Instagram: elleuu
• Other: collage instagram: @elle.uuest clothing brand instagram: @faroutwest_ failed films instagram @failedfilmsfest