Lauren Buckingham Over
Lauren Buckingham Over
Artist / Illustrator / Guided Meditation Practitioner
Santa Monica, CA
www.laurenover.live
instagram @the_star_17
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I create drawings, paintings, prints, calligraphy and hand-lettering. ”
I also use these as elements in digital compositions, illustrations and designs. I'm also a Certified Hypnotherapist and Guided Meditation Practitioner.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
I earned a BFA in Drawing/Painting at Tyler School of Art (Temple University), and an MFA in Studio Art at California State University, Los Angeles. I also interned with Shepard Fairey's Studio Number One in Los Angeles. Most recently, I'm completing my Hypnotherapy Certification.
How do you stand out in your field?
I blend traditional drawing and painting techniques with other physical mixed media elements (printmaking processes, photos and found objects), and then scan them to make layered digital adjustments. I feel like I utilize best of both worlds! Existing in Photoshop layers, artwork components can be turned into animations- as was done for the documentary 'Can You Dig This,' about guerilla gardener Ron Finley.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
I'm working on a website header, set of gift card designs, possibly icons, and later a card deck for MysticMedusa.com (an Astrology website based in Australia). I'm also creating an 'oracle' card deck based on Astrology, Herbalism and the Bach Flower Remedies (personal project!).
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
My style blends stylized/realistic line work with looser, watery colors and usually text. It has an organic, ethereal feeling to it. It feels slightly cerebral but also poetic.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
I'm moving toward a focus on nature/botany/herbalism/holistic health, and also psychology/metaphysics. I want to create more work in book and card deck formats, focusing on affirmations and the power of positive thinking
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
Figuring out the best route forward with both finding a publisher and self-publishing!
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
My first thought was: buy the groceries, do the laundry, cook the meals and other general housekeeping- even exercise for me if possible- ha! Then I realized I feel satisfied and grounded doing those things for myself. So...maybe I'd have them find a steady stream of clients for me (hence this profile!) :)
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
Don't doubt that following your sense of play and joy will ever lead you astray. The key is to focus on it as fully as possible, and put every ounce of effort into that one direction. Try to work less at the day job and other people's visions, and more on your passion projects! Because when you allow yourself to focus on too many different possible paths, it uses up your energy to move forward in any one direction.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
Self-hypnosis. And I am! I'm enrolled in a Hypnotherapy certification program). It may be fun to develop a hypnosis program geared toward creatives- visualization and the creative process. I'd love to hear from anyone interested in this!
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Illustration, Astrology and Tarot reading, Guided Meditation / Visualization work.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
Educational illustrations exploring our relationship to the environment/plants/ecosystem,to the stars/galaxy, and to ourselves and our inner world! It could be in the form of book illustrations, infographics, posters, cards, clothing. As long as the products are personable and accessible to everyone.
Who is a creative that has helped you elevate your work?
Delila Vallot has pushed me through a few different projects to up my game and widen my vision of what's possible! She's an outstanding director who recruited me to do illustration for her documentary, which I mentioned above- Can You Dig This, produced by John Legend.
She's encouraged me to find a publisher for me recently completed tarot deck- Earthstar: An Astro-Botanical Tarot. She also just started a beautiful website to feature and promote other creatives whose work has a spiritual thread woven into it.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Please contact me through my website or Instagram! A project summary, deadline and budget would be wonderful.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
I keep my self-expectations realistic!
This member profile was originally published in April 2021.