After graduating from the Illustration Department of The Rhode Island School of Design, Lauren Minco's artwork has charmed audiences of all ages in editorial, children's, and teen markets. When not doing freelance work, she is actively showing her work in galleries across the country. Lauren currently teaches in the Illustration Department at Montserrat College of Art and Continuing Education/ Pre-College at The Rhode Island School of Design. Some of her clients include Scholastic Press, Taunton Press, Grant Marketing, Venuszine, and other publications. You can find her work in her Etsy shop as well as at www.laurenminco.com.Tell me about how you originally got into your craft, Lauren.
I was always creative as a kid, but honestly it wasn't until middle school that I kept a sketchbook (which to me was pretty "serious"). I became an illustrator by accident! I thought during college I would go into the Apparel or Animation Department, but after seeing a presentation in Illustration I fell in love and decided that should be my major.
What is your favorite thing to do in the whole wide world?
Wow...sleep? Seriously...I would have to say being with my family, traveling, and teaching.
What is your biggest challenge when it comes to running your business?For me, it's the balance between selling original work on etsy, at art sales, or at a gallery. Since there is only one of a piece, I need to be conscious of my schedule and know which item has the biggest impact where.
What item in your shop would you most like to receive as a gift if someone were shopping for you?
Probably the Adventure Journal. I think there is something about the image that expresses my sense of wonder in the world and the need to explore.
When you were a kid, what did you think you were going to be when you grew up?I vividly remember doing a project in first grade that asked me to draw about that very question. My answer was "an artist or a mommy". Of course, later a found out I could do both.
What other shops or artists out there do you love?
Allison Cole runs Bang bang You're Thread which is full of all her wonderful illustrated products like stationary and buttons- very cute. Sickfeet is a store run by fellow artist Jyll Ethier-Mullen. She has her paintings as well as the cute boxes she makes on her etsy.
What does your future hold?
I hope people will see me more in galleries and magazines doing editorial illustration or working on products (I did a sticker book for Galison/Mudpuppy for 2010 release). I would also love to continue teaching! I hope that in the end I'm making art and being happy.
