MEET the ARTISAN: Wandering Laur Fine Art + GIVEAWAY
"MEET the ARTISAN" is a blog series that spotlights Etsy New York Team artisans and their craft. In this feature, we learn more about Lauren, the creator behind Wandering Laur Fine Art.
Q: What is Wandering Laur Fine Art? Can you briefly describe your business for us?
A: I paint watercolors of various animals - dogs, cats, birds, and more - and produce limited edition high-quality prints, greeting cards, posters, and commissioned one-of-a-kind portraits.
Q: Some artisans develop their products to meet consumer needs, while others craft products based on things and/or experiences that inspire them. What is the inspiration behind your business?
A: When I was a little girl, I loved animals and art so much that I used to tell anyone who asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up that I wanted to be a "veterinarian with pictures all over the walls," but ultimately, I decided I would rather wield a paintbrush than a scalpel. So, you might say I was practically born with the inspiration! As the daughter of a veterinarian and an art dealer, my passion for both painting and animals was established very early. I've painted all my life, and have done commissioned pet portraits for over a decade. Most of the originals of the dog and cat prints in my shop currently hang in my father's animal hospital, in Rockaway Beach, New York. The hospital was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, and when he rebuilt and reopened, I created watercolor paintings of my favorite breeds of dogs and cats to adorn the new walls.
Q: Oftentimes, each artisan has a different strategy and objective for their business. What are the next steps for you and your business?
A: I made Wandering Laur Fine Art official only a short time ago (the end of 2014), but it's been such fun so far, and I hope to keep expanding: I would love to partner with boutiques, especially pet boutiques and children's stores, and to continue to paint commissioned portraits, which I love to do!
Q: Can you tell us some of the partners you have made? Retail stores where we can find your product?
A: My handpainted seaglass jewelry (available at www.etsy.com/shop/wanderinglaur) is available at several boutiques (including the End of the A mobile boutique in my hometown, Rockaway Beach!), and Wandering Laur Fine Art will be at various markets around NYC this spring and summer, starting with the opening weekend at Hester Street Fair, and every Saturday in June at the Renegade Craft Fair.
Q: As many artisans look to grow and further develop their businesses, do you have some advice that you can share with fellow artisans?
A: Do what you love! I work full time and have two Etsy shops, but only because I enjoy all of it, and making art and sharing it on Etsy makes me happy.
Special thanks to Lauren for sharing with us. You can find her products showcased on her Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/WanderingLaurFineArt. And, details of her special product GIVEAWAY are below. Please enter for your chance to win!
Wandering Laur Fine Art: 8.5 x 11 Giclee Print
The winner will receive a limited edition, 8.5 x 11 free giclee print of his or her choice from Wandering Laur Fine Art - choose from any of the nearly 40 images in the "Limited Edition Prints" section of the shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/WanderingLaurFineArt?section_id=16104663&ref=shopsection_leftnav_1
Entry period ends at 11:59pm on Wednesday, July 15, 2015.