Lauren comes from a family of creators...
With a woodworker father and mother who sews and creates beautiful pottery, it’s no surprise art has called to her. When I found her at the Yorktown market I was instantly drawn in. I wanted to fill my home with her mushroom prints. True to my personality I started sharing mushroom facts and her husband, Aaron, mentioned my shirt looks similar to one of the prints (yes, my shirt had mushrooms on it). They were a team and Aaron got me to purchase within minutes. Before leaving I asked to take her card and gave her mine. I knew this was a person I wanted to work with.
After meeting for coffee and discussing what working together would look like we made a plan. I loved that she made a point to make sure that Aaron was part of the story. It's her art, absolutely, but as part of her community, Aaron mattered as well. So this is the story not just of her art, but of them, and I think that's beautiful.
There is a quiet partnership between two individuals that fit. Not fit like a jigsaw puzzle, or mixing bowls, but more like rosemary and garlic. Both are wonderful and complete flavors on their own. Both with protecting qualities. But together they create such depth to a recipe. Maybe I’m thinking food because during our session Lauren’s husband baked a bread that I can still taste.
While we chatted about art, salt and chatter (linocut terms I just learned), sci-fi books, and gardening, these two opened their home to me. As Lauren created, Aaron baked and made coffee for us from a vintage percolator. The mug he handed her was one made by her mom. Mine was from Duckbutt Pottery, a once local now Alaskan business that creates my favorite pottery (I even got to work with them while they were local!).
Not only did Lauren create, but she shared her love of the art with me. From how to hold the tools to what the sound of rolling the paint out must be before putting onto the stamp. A workbench turned table thanks to her dad’s thinking, and another shelf unit that he made brings their family into the home. A family of creatives. Copper hangings, blue and white ceramic figures from an aunt, mixed with art they love makes their home a place you don’t want to leave. With a cup of coffee made by Aaron, you'll want to snuggle up with the crochet mushroom pillow and listen to them talk about their lives. At least I wanted to.
Each print Lauren creates has its own identity. That’s what makes art so wonderful. When you purchase from her you aren’t getting a mass produced item, you’re getting a bit of her heart. And it’s a big heart filled with plants, colors, often overlooked but beautiful insects, and so much more.
After making a moth print to show me the process her husband came over and admired the art, “That color is so perfect.” See what I mean by rosemary and garlic? They are both wonderful people, but together they support and lift the other. If you are lucky enough to go by Yorktown Market on a Saturday, or another local festival with vendors, keep an eye out for Lauren Sowder Art (and make sure to say hi to Aaron as well).
Filling your home with a centuries old technique, crafted by her hands, and pressed onto paper so as to fill your home with art…well, I think that’s pretty damn special.
Now, go check her out- https://laurensowderart.com/
