Meet Lauren DeMarco, the New Jersey artist behind Laurenspired!

Tell us a little about yourself!

My name is Lauren DeMarco, I am a mixed media artist and painter living and working in New Jersey. I live on the southern coast, about an hour from Philadelphia. I am a mom of 2 and a full-time school nurse so I squeeze my art practice into my free time. I have been playing in lots of different mediums like ceramics, sewing, and embroidery for about 10 years. I started as a way to manage anxiety related to my first nursing job but became obsessed with expressing myself in this way and never stopped. I have been more consistently working with acrylic paint and collage for the last 2-3 years.

What drew you to your craft?

I love paint and collage because my process with these materials allows for lots of layering and changes on the way to the finished product. I love to create my own colors and unique works from scratch to tell a story.

Describe your studio space. Where do you like to create?

My studio is a room in the back of my house, right next to the kitchen. I love it because I don’t have to decide to leave my family to be in the studio. They hangout with me in there while I work, I can easily move from a painting session to any other task in my home which feels very natural. I can work in my pajamas before the sun comes up, I can make a mess and leave on the table, it’s a space just for me and my creativity. I love that my kids see me in there doing what makes me happy.

How would you describe your artistic style? How is your style influenced by the coastal northeast?

My style is warm, cozy, and layered with pattern and texture. I love to use metaphor to explore themes like identity, growth, individualism, balance, grace, and, peace. I am super inspired by the balance of organic textures with more graphic shapes, a reflection of what we see in nature, especially at the beach; the crisp round sun surrounded by soft, irregular clouds and the pin-straight horizon balanced with chaotic crashing waves as examples.

What is your favorite thing you have ever made?

I have made a few paintings that I am really proud of. “My Harvest” is a top favorite; it is available exclusively on Anthropologie.com for another year or so but I still have the original in my studio. I can find things I like about most of what I make because I can keep painting over and over until I find something interesting.

How would you describe your creative process?

Before I work on individual pieces, I take notes about ideas I have on a little spreadsheet. I tend to start a piece with a general composition actually, with a central subject that interests me and typically symbolizes something I am trying to work through. I will put down some layers of warm colors, simple sketches, and then get to work on filling in the spaces. I will add detail, play with color, and problem solve along the way. I tend to work pretty quickly once I am in flow.

What are you currently working on? What are you excited to create next?

I am promoting a new collection called “Duck, Duck, Goose” right now, you can read about it here. I can’t wait to launch it on election day and then move on to some local holiday market prep. I always brainstorm new concepts to start after Christmas around this time of year. I have a few things in mind, mostly smaller works on paper to start with. I also wholesale smaller items like stickers, cards, and prints; you can find my work in over 70 shops across the country; I am always working on new products to wholesale as well.

Why is it important to support independent artists and makers?

I feel like everyone’s home can look the same if they are purchasing from big box stores. Trendy items don’t build a home; my customer sees their home as a museum of memories and an expression of who they are. Artists and makers want to provide special items to their customers that remind them of things they love or their favorite memories. It brings us immense joy and peace to create our work but sharing it helps us feel connected! We all dream to support ourselves or to treat ourselves with the money we earn for our work so we appreciate when our customers pay us for the skills, vulnerability, and value we provide!

You can find Lauren’s art prints, stickers, and greeting cards in the shop!