THE HIGHLIGHTS OF 2021 AND WHY 2022 IS MY YEAR TO BE REAL
Hello my loves!
Anyone else as excited to welcome in the new year as much as I am?! As I sit down to write this post, there is a whole new energy of hope taking over, so much so, my mantra has me chanting good vibes only please. 2021, was testing to say the least, yet here we are, and I feel a whole new #girlboss on the rise.
Last year brought us ample uncertainty with a lockdown that stood the test of time and of course, patience! As much as I love not knowing where my creative imagination will take me, I’m sure many of you share my sentiment that the unknown can really feel challenging!
However, back to the good vibes, I did manage to discover a whole new level of magic in my newfound discomfort which had me calling in a more positive mental attitude.
It turns out that 2021 was my year to dig deep (and I mean really deep), redefine my vision and level up Art by LRM in a whole new way. And guess what? I felt re-inspired! New challenges became my pivots that transpired into new experiences and successes. Here are how some of those moments shaped out to be…
It was time for a makeover….
During lockdown, my creative mind when into problem solving mode, something I do really well actually. The time had come to channel my inner #girlboss and amplify my strengths.
My first step was to create a whole new website for my brand, one that truly captivated my style and poise as an artist. To bring my idea to life, I worked with the wonderful Ray from @offyourrocket using the platform, Squarespace. I wanted to create a virtual space that would instantly make you feel part of the LRM world whilst experiencing the essence of my artistry. Creating Art by LRM to stand for what it is today, is one of my proudest moments, and I am beyond grateful to share it with you.
As for the other charming element of my website, my beautiful web shop is where you can buy my prints, paintings and of course, contact me for commissions. My website is the perfect place for you to check in on all that is happening with LRM, including monthly blog posts highlighting exciting projects and events!
Let me share my First Love…
As for the projects that I had the joy of seeing come to life, I loved turning one of my digital illustrations of a SEV Laser location into an acrylic painting on a large canvas that was 60x48 inch. My passion has always been with paints and large canvases which is why this project was so liberating. I got to merge passion with elements of my favourite design style. I love tapping into my artistic courage and pushing the limits of my skills and imagination, it really is about simply trusting the process!
It has been such a pleasure to sell more of my abstract paintings and felt like a great achievement. For those of you that know me, may also know that abstract paintings are my first love and something I want to focus more on for 2022.
As much as I love being in the haven of my art studio, I also thrive on being in the company of others who especially share a passion for creative work. My interview with Riverside Radio where I got to chat with Lucy Ellen on all thing’s art, illustration, love and life was a joy!
Growing my space for events and collaborating with like-minded brands and individuals really inspires me, which is why my Molton Brown event during the festive period was another highlight. There will certainly be more of these in the new year, so watch this space!
Embracing the essence of Lauren Rogers Martin (LRM)
“The most important relationship is the one you have with yourself”
– Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and The City
A defining moment was my photoshoot with the very talented photographer, Danny Desantos. This was pivotal for me, both personally and professionally. Thanks to some amazing friends, Maria and Yasmin, you are my gems! I was reminded of the power of being unapologetically me, curves and all! We all have our fears, and I gracefully share mine, but I no longer wanted to hide behind them. Instead, I wanted to find a way to channel them into my biggest strengths. And so, my High Heels Collection was born and became the centre of this incredible photoshoot.
Thanks to this photoshoot, I finally found the confidence to close my personal account and solely use my art page (@artbylrm) to share more of the woman behind the canvas, FYI, that’s me! It’s the personal moments and stories that power my inspirations and define the essence of who I am regardless of my race or sex.
It’s with sheer love that I feel more ready than ever to share my authentic self and the wonders of my story as I take on this beautiful journey and embrace the artist that I am. Our stories mould our expression on all fronts of who we are, may this year be yours to truly own your story. So, as I happily take on this new year with excitement and anticipation, I pledge to share more of me and all that I love, after all, this is the true essence of LRM!
