Meet Lauren Martin

Lauren Martin, is an NYC illustrator who’s personified fruits and flowers warm my soul. Through their work, they maintain a constant sense of ease and charm. In our latest interview, we chat with the artist about thumb wrestling, colors, and quotes. Get to know them, and see some of their work down below.

A self-portrait by, Lauren Martin

Would You Rather

be carried everywhere you go by a giant person, or be confined to a segway? Why?

being carried around by a giant person would be so sick -- I'd always have a great view

Some questions with Lauren Martin

If you could only make work with one specific medium, who would it be and why?

I guess I've gotten myself in a real groove with working digitally -- and I really like it! But if I had to pick one medium I think I'd go with oil paint and be a real *artiste*

Your work feels like what we might get when Peggy Olson (Mad Men) inevitably dropped acid, which is possibly the biggest compliment out there. What role does copy/text play in your creative process?

WOW! Thank you SO MUCH! To be honest, text and typography are the things I struggle with the most! It's usually the last thing I do in a drawing and the part I spend the most time on. I'm still learning a lot about typography as I go!

Are you better at thumb wrestles or staring contests?

definitely thumb wrestling -- I don't hold back! >:)

Looking through your work there seems to be a shift from bright, more primary based color palettes to more muted psychedelic tones. Where do you find inspiration and how have these inspirations changed over time?

My sense of color has definitely changed as I've come more into my own style -- I guess it's just been a natural progression of just learning what I like when it comes to color combinations. In terms of inspiration -- I love looking at 70's and 80's interior design books. They have the best colors!

Do you usually show people your work before it is finished to get feedback? Who do you show it to?

I usually just show it to my boyfriend -- he always has the best feedback!

Do you have a favorite quote? What is it?

It's not really a quote but a phrase I live by is 'compare & despair'

You seem to have a passion for personifying inanimate objects. Do you have a favorite character that you’ve created and who would be their voice in an animated series?

I think I'd have to pick my flower character (they don't have a name yet) and I'd love to have their character be voiced by Maya Rudolph!

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

Do what you love! Be kind! BE KIND TO YOURSELF! Drink lots of wawie, eat your fruits and veg etc. 💋

Lauren Martin