Key Takeaways
- Lauren Gregory is a multidisciplinary artist and educator who will be featured in a solo exhibition at the 849 Gallery.
- Gregory’s artistic journey began with portrait painting, but she has since expanded to stop-motion animation and quilting.
- Her work is inspired by various artists, including the Gee’s Bend quilters and Rosie Lee Tompkins.
- Gregory measures success as an artist by being able to balance her creative work with taking care of her family.
- She has several upcoming public-facing events, including a solo show at KyCAD and a group show at the Frist Museum.
Introduction to Lauren Gregory
Lauren Gregory is a Tennessee-based multidisciplinary artist and educator who is set to be featured in a solo exhibition at the 849 Gallery on the campus of Kentucky College of Art + Design. With a background in portrait painting, Gregory has developed her own unique approach to stop-motion animation, bringing her poignant paintings to life. In addition to her work in animation, Gregory has also reimmersed herself in quilting, an Appalachian craft she learned from her family’s matriarchs at a young age. This month, Gregory will showcase her work in a solo exhibition, and we had the opportunity to catch up with her to discuss her artistic journey.
Background and Early Influences
Gregory’s artistic journey began in East Tennessee, where she grew up surrounded by creative influences. Her mother and grandmother were both painters, and they encouraged her to explore her creative side from a young age. Gregory’s mother taught her to sew and make things, and she was initially more interested in music, playing the bassoon on a scholarship at the University of South Carolina. However, after an existential crisis, Gregory’s mother and grandmother introduced her to painting, and she fell in love with the medium. She changed her major to painting and went on to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Artistic Evolution
Over the years, Gregory’s materials, processes, and subject matter have evolved significantly. She began by creating portraits with oil paint, but soon discovered that documenting her paintings with a camera as they changed over time was, in fact, a form of animation. This led her to create oil paint and clay animations, and she even painted portraits on fake fur. When the pandemic hit, Gregory found herself returning to quilting, a craft she had not practiced since childhood. Quilting has since become a major part of her practice, existing alongside her paintings and animation. Gregory’s work is inspired by various artists, including the Gee’s Bend quilters and Rosie Lee Tompkins, and she is also inspired by the quilts of Chris Edwards, a fellow artist and teacher.
Measuring Success
As an artist, Gregory measures success in a way that has changed over time. Currently, she prioritizes taking care of her daughter and being able to continue making art. If she can balance these two aspects of her life, she considers herself successful. Gregory also values her teaching work, which allows her to share her knowledge and skills with others. She teaches quilting and animation at Parsons School of Design and Ox-Bow, and she is excited to teach a quilting class at KyCAD in the spring.
Upcoming Events
Gregory has several upcoming public-facing events and activities. Her solo show, titled "Snacks: Contemporary Quilting, Painting, and Animation," will open at KyCAD, and she will also have work featured in a group show at the Frist Museum called "In Her Place: Nashville Artists in the Twenty-First Century." Additionally, Gregory will continue to teach quilting and animation at Parsons and Ox-Bow. With her unique blend of painting, animation, and quilting, Gregory is an artist to watch, and her upcoming events are sure to be exciting and thought-provoking.
Conclusion
Lauren Gregory’s artistic journey is a testament to the power of creativity and perseverance. From her early days as a portrait painter to her current work in stop-motion animation and quilting, Gregory has consistently pushed the boundaries of her art. With her upcoming solo show and group exhibitions, Gregory is sure to inspire and delight audiences with her unique and poignant work. As she continues to balance her creative pursuits with her role as a mother and teacher, Gregory is a shining example of what it means to be a successful artist in the 21st century.