Journey Beyond The Artist’s Studio: Lauren B Woehler

Beyond the surface, there is a deep end to each artist I meet.  Through this series of interviews, I have had the great opportunity to introduce many artists to a developing audience, virtually visiting each in their studio.  The latest interview in the ongoing series Journey Beyond The Artist’s Studio is with Milwaukee artist Lauren B Woehler.

Scene one opens with an enigma, a bolt of lightning, or even an unexpected explosion, hurtling debris in all directions.  Mixing figures and abstraction, each piece alludes to movement with purpose.  Botanicals exchange elusive dialog with abstract objects to elicit a sense of mystery.  Through ambiguity, Lauren’s paintings and prints inspire thoughtful, careful viewing.  Like an improbable, oversized carnivorous plant, these beautiful images draw the viewer in, capture the imagination, and merit great accolades: a crowd pleaser for certain.

I recently had the great opportunity to ask Lauren a series of questions:


DBS:
Please start off by telling us 5 random things about your self.

Lauren:
•    My son, Elliot, is almost three.
•    I love a good dirty vodka martini.
•    I have a semi-serious phobia of people dressed up as animals.
•    I work on several pieces at once. Right now I think I have at least a dozen going.
•    I love the banjo.



DBS:
Can you describe for us your studio in 3 words?

Lauren:
•    make
•    sleep
•    play


DBS:
What is the single most important supply/tool in your studio?

Lauren:
Light



DBS:
If you could take a trip in a time machine, when and where would you go?

Lauren:
This is tough. I think I’d like to go back to the 1970’s - to NYC. I don’t know why but it seems like it would be a good time.



DBS:
Do you work full-time as an artist or do you have another job?

Lauren:
Right now I’m doing a little of this and a little of that. To name a few: part time photographers assistant, freelance graphic design, wedding album designer, and full time mama.



DBS:
When did you start making art and how did you get into it?

Lauren:
As far back as I can remember I’ve been making art. It’s just one of those things where I enjoyed it as a kid and it just grew from there.



DBS:
Please select one of the following super human powers that best fit your personality and tell us why:
•    the ability to fly
•    the ability to become invisible
•    super human strength
•    the ability to read minds.

Lauren:
“Super human strength.” I’d challenge everyone to arm wrestle.



DBS: Great choice!  I never knew why so many artist’s passed up “Super Strength.”
Why do you make art?

Lauren:
I make art because I truly enjoy it. It encompasses so many different things for me. Between the research involved to actually making work. I don’t want to say it’s a necessity - there have been times in my life when I am not making art but in those times I do find other ways to be creative, to express myself. I guess that’s the bottom line: self-expression.



DBS:
Who do you admire (artist or otherwise)? Why?

Lauren:
Ida Applebroog - particularily her work from the 1980’s/90’s. Her paintings are so smart, sad, beautiful and wonderfully executed.



DBS:
The title of a work of art:
•    can make or break a piece.
•    is unimportant, what’s in a name?
why?

Lauren:
For me naming a piece doesn’t make it or break it but at the same time I feel it’s better to name than to leave as “Untitled.” “Untitled” feels unfinished to me.



DBS:
What is the greatest motivator for you as an artist?

Lauren:
To keep making better work. To keep doing more. Take it up a notch. See how far I can push myself.



DBS:
You completely change your career path with no limitations; what other fields interest you?

Lauren:

I would love to work in a museum. Milwaukee has a great public museum and it’s one of my favorite places to go. I love the dioramas, the artifacts - everything. It’s so inspiring!

• To purchase Lauren B Woehler’s work, be sure to visit her shop.

• To learn more about Lauren, check out her blog!

• A selection of Woehler’s images can be be seen on flickr.

• To read about Lauren, check her out of twitter!

• Be sure to leave a comment in support of Lauren's effort and join us next Wednesday night for another installment of Journey Beyond The Artist's Studio.
  

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