Joy
2019
Oil on canvas
Joy takes its name from the song Your Joy written and sung by American singer, Chrissette Michele for her father. It made its way to Lauren’s playlist on a day that she was sketching out this piece in her studio. The refrain of the song, “You’ll always be my father. And I’ll always be your joy” echoed throughout the room reminding her of her dad, whom she always called “Pop.”
He’s been gone more than 20 years. I often hide a personal sentiment within the composition of my paintings. Here nestled among the tattoos is “Pop.” After his death my father’s childhood friends and neighbors promised to be there for me if I ever needed them. Over the years each of them, in a kind and quiet way, still show up.
– Lauren
oil on canvas, 18” x 24”
Dream Chaser \ˈdrēm \ˈchā-sər
2019
Oil on canvas
During the summer of 2019, there was a lot of news coverage around the congressional passage of a revised DREAM Act. If it passed the senate, the legislation would effectively provide a pathway to citizenship for millions of young undocumented immigrants who arrived in the United States under the age of fifteen. Also known as DREAMers, many of them would live their lives just outside the door of opportunity without the passage of the act, unable to legally work or attend college without the fear of being deported.
This painting is the first of her Dream Chaser series, a body of work that revisits youthful assumptions on justice, fairness and equality of opportunity from a child’s perspective. The series is intended to rouse a collective response and dialogue across diverse sectors that center on the wellbeing of all children regardless of their identity or life circumstances.
Impasse
2021
Oil on canvas
For as long as I can remember, every Sunday my father would play his treasured album collection of Dr. Martin Luther King’s speeches on the family stereo. He’d begin at noon and by dinner time transition to the soulful sounds of songs like Gladys Knight’s Friendship Train; Aretha Franklin’s Respect; and Sam Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come. Then at 7pm sharp, he’d turn on the television set and the evening would end with Ed Bradley on 60 Minutes. It was a restorative ritual that began the work week ahead. These early lessons in politics, civics and responsibility laid the foundation for my commitment to the communities for which I am a part of.
– Lauren
Impasse captures a stand-off in a childhood game that mirrors our current political and social climate. The patriotic symbolism of red, white and blue colors combined with the lush harmony of a purple background send a message of unity and reconciliation even in the face of staunch opposition.
The Environmentalists
2019
Oil on canvas
I’m often asked why I teach art in an after-school program. Without question, I love that I get to broaden their understanding of the world through art. I am also drawn to their innate sense of fairness and intense curiosity about everything they encounter. One afternoon we were learning about repurposing everyday materials for art projects and the effect that plastic has on the environment, our oceans and the fish we consume. Our class discussion led one student to vehemently opt out of a weekly mother-son ritual of fried fish dinners proclaiming that he couldn’t eat fish any more because fish eat plastic.
– Lauren
This work is inspired by the environmentally conscious second and third graders from the Baltimore based after school program where Lauren has been teaching for the last five years. She replaced two of the sneaker logos with the acronym SMH (shaking my head) and WTH (what the heck) as a nod to the second grader who was so appalled by the thought of plastic draining through our sewer system, polluting the water and the fish he so loved to eat.
Trek from Omelas
2021
Oil on canvas
The title of for the work is inspired by American author, Ursula K. Le Guinn’s, short story, “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas.” It is a philosophical narrative about the utopian city of Omelas and the single injustice upon which this presumably ideal metropolis depends.
A small child is designated as a living sacrifice and endures a life of suffering that allows everyone else in the city to live in peace and happiness.
Most Omelasians are able to reconcile living in the unjust community because they understand that their happiness is dependent upon the perpetual misery of the child. But there are some citizens who do leave when they first learn of the child’s existence. Others leave after a long struggle with their conscience.
The boy in the painting represents those who make the solitary journey away from the city because for them a status quo based on the misery of another is unacceptable.
Circumference of Spectacular
2021
Oil on canvas
Like millions of others during the pandemic lockdown Lauren turned to the arts—streaming live performances and movies—for inspiration and as a way to stay connected to the outside world. Over the holidays she watched Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, a musical fantasy film about family, relationships, hope and perseverance written and directed by David E. Talbert. In one of many memorable scenes between Jeronomius Jangle and his granddaughter Journey, the two introduce viewers to the “circumference of spectacular;” a magical mathematical equation; that represents the experience of being spectacular…of feeling remarkable.
This determined and triumphant first time hula hooper is rendered as a living expression of the magical equation.
Puddin’
2021
Oil on canvas
What’s Puddin’ out there doin’?” My Aunt Thelma gave me the name Puddin’ when I was around four years old. She’d ask the question loud enough to be within earshot of wherever I might be. It was usually intended to get a chuckle out of my parents or stop me in my tracks.
Painting myself in a field of Dandelions is about remembering all of the folks in my orbit who prepared me to face life’s challenges head on with grace, and for those who helped me to understand that wishes could be made good with time.
– Lauren
The Collective Wonder of Being There 