Artist Interview - Lauren Startzman of Fair Rosamund

I first came across Lauren Startzman (Fair Rosamund) during the Mad Tea Party.  She won my giveaway.  I saw her artwork and was smitten immediately with her whimsical style.  Her style is colorful and fairytale inspired.  What could be more perfect?

The Interview: 

I asked her a few questions.  Her answers are in red below. 

How did you get started?

I have been doing artwork in some form or other for a long time--my mom is very artistic and always encouraged my sister and I to explore that. However, it wasn't until I discovered folk and mixed-media artwork a couple of years ago that I discovered that you can make amazing artwork without having to go to art school and do everything perfect! That is when I really started to explore painting again and having a lot of fun with it.

Do you have formal training or are you self-taught?

I am self-taught. I took a couple of art classes in high school but discovered that I much prefer being by myself and doing my own thing. And it is very relaxing! :)

What are your favorite art supplies?

Acrylic paint and canvas. I have dabbled in oil paint and some fun mixed-media techniques, but I always seem to find myself coming back to these two things.

What is your favorite subject matter?

I absolutely love fairytales, literature and history, so anything involving these things always intrigues me! I love painting people and animals, and I always try to tell a little story with my paintings :)

Have other artists influenced you?

Yes, too many to name! :) My creativity is always refreshed by looking at the amazing work and imaginations of other artists. I am inspired by so many other people's techniques, subject matter and use of color. A few of my favorites are Nicoletta Ceccoli, Vanessa Valencia, Emily Martin of the Black Apple, Tascha Parkinson, John William Waterhouse, my mom Joni Startzman and my sister Michelle Startzman, and a bunch of others!

How does each piece begin?  Do you have an idea of what you want your pieces to become or do they progress as you go?

I usually don't start with a ton of preparation--I start with an idea which I sketch lightly onto the canvas, then I go from there! Sometimes it stays very close to my original idea, but other times I end up changing it as I go if something a little different seems to be working better.

Do you ever get stuck with your work and how do you remedy this?

I definitely get stuck sometimes! I have found that the best thing for me to do when I get frustrated with a painting is to set it aside and come back to it with fresh eyes the next day.

Find Lauren:
 

You can find Lauren's work in her Etsy Shop, Fair Rosamund Art.

Keep up-to-date with her on her blog. 

I loved Lauren's work so much, I asked her to collaborate with me.  You can find our collaboration artwork pendants in my etsy shop.