Meet Lauren McCaulou | Fine Arts Painter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren McCaulou and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lauren, what makes you happy? Why?
I am quite grateful to say there are many people and moments in my life that I find joy and happiness in and being around. There is much in my life to celebrate; small moments such as driving out to Tonto National Forest or belly-laughing with new friends over a few drinks, and larger moments such as the opening of my exhibition in Mesa in May of this last year. My happiness also comes from my perspective and how I choose to react, there will always be moments to mourn and grieve, but I make the decision to find a moment to treasure. Change is perpetual, along with change is joy and grief, I see this frequently in my life and reflecting in my art work.

The moments of grief and joy that exist in my paintings range from being unable to paint what I see in my mind’s eye to elation as a simple brushstroke elevates a painting. As a painter, I take pigments and oils then I apply them with hairs on a stick to a panel of wood to create, this feels so simple and it is an activity people have participated before written history. As I create with the shapes and lines and range of values created from brushstrokes there is a moment of harmony and movement created. The moments taken to brush paint onto a surface appear straightforward, I enjoy observing the simplicity of painting with a few tools.

However, creation in the painting process is arduous, and from the challenges of composition and color and perspective there are great lessons I take to heart and mind to improve upon my skills.

After the process of creation, stepping away and exhibiting the work I created is a powerful and happy moment. I love being able to share the work I create and engage with people, and to reflect on my journey to the point of exhibition. There is happiness as I see what has occurred in my life till present, and there will be happiness in my future as I choose to find those moments of joy.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a painter, practicing works created in-studio and plein air works. Plein air painting is when an artist travels to a location and paints straight from the scenery before them and the lighting in that moment. For the last four years I have practiced landscape painting over any other type of painting, in my work I frequently have visual paths to push my viewers into the work. In my work, I attempt to paint a scene where the audience might be able to enter into and see the depth of a scene. As a child, I was enthralled with miniatures and narrative scenes and I wanted to immerse myself and my audience into my landscapes. My painting and artistic goals will change and be challenged as I continue to practice, but I hope I will always be satisfied with the work I can create for that time in my life and then begin again with newly learned experiences.

I am an emerging artist, my professional work has only just begun and I am quite thrilled to be here. Reaching this point where I call myself an artist has been mentally challenging, it was difficult to get to this point because I was fearful of posting my work to an audience on social media platforms. I had to reorient my perspective, that I was creating work to display my perspective on landscapes and lighting, if I did not share that work with others then I would not be setting out to be an artist. At the beginning of my artistic career, I will continue to be inspired by Arizona landscapes and histories in my painting. All I would hope for from an audience, is that people who follow my work are enjoying what they see and experience when they participate in my works.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Over the last several years, I have eaten and tasted some delicious beverages through out Phoenix and the East Valley. I would start my day with my best friend by visiting Mythical Coffee in Gilbert, I always love to see what they have on the seasonal menu and their service is paired with kind baristas. After coffee for her, I would drive us to Tonto National Forest, whether it is the Salt River, Saguaro Lake, or Canyon Lake we would spend the morning and early afternoon just enjoying the water and sun in central Arizona. I love a great picnic and would have prepared some sandwiches or salads with tasty cool beverages for lunch. I would end one of the days of her visit with a stop at Cien Agaves Tacos & Tequila in Downtown Scottsdale for frozen margaritas, fantastic atmosphere, and food. A few other places we would visit would include a trip to Phoenix Art Museum to see their ‘Desert Rider’ special engagement exhibition, Bookman’s in Mesa, and Yupha’s Thai Kitchen in Tempe.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
One of the greatest experiences that exposed me to painting was attending Mesa Community College (MCC), I received an excellent education and I created friends for life. Ceramicist and former ceramic department head for MCC, now-retired, Linda Speranza introduced me to painting in over-glazes on my ceramic ware. This introduction started my painting career and I am incredibly grateful for the time and tools and generosity Linda and the MCC Art department shared while I attended.

Website: laurenmccaulou.com

Instagram: @lamccaulou

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-mccaulou-b47500187/