Meet Lauren Larkin | Artist

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

Hi Lauren, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Honestly, starting my own business was something I had to do for myself because creating art was something I’d never stop doing. It made sense. I was constantly seeking opportunities (outside of my day job) to sell my work. I was creating & building inventory as often as I could, so I needed to find outlets to sell. Once I started doing markets, booking shows, & commission work, it took off & I began to create somewhat of a fan base (although I feel really silly saying that out loud…). I was raised by a family of entrepreneurs, so I know its in my blood… being your own boss & making decisions to not only better yourself but your community has always been a big part of what drives me. If my work can shine some color in an often dark world, then I’ve done my job.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I of course love creating. I’ve been “making pretty pictures” since I was a kiddo… it’s been fun, but it definitely wasn’t easy. I had to continually grow & progress my work & refine my ideas time & time again. I searched, experimented, & made happy accidents to find my groove. I made the move from Texas to Colorado 12 years ago & it truly inspired my work to take a turn. Sometimes leaving your comfort zone just pushes you to take risks & put yourself “out there”… although I am still trying to figure that out. I am constantly playing around w/ new ideas & that is what makes this whole “life as an artist” thing so much fun. My most recent exploration has been creating one-of-a-kind hand-painted denim jackets, an idea I had years ago & I finally brought it to fruition… its been a huge success & just proves that sometimes you just have to follow your ideas, otherwise you’ll never know.

If there’s anything I’d like to share about my story or thought process, its that you can’t categorize yourself into any style or genre. I remember being in art school & that was always such a main focus for me… I feel like it wasted too much time bc I could’ve just been making those silly sketches into actual pieces for the pure fact that I enjoyed them. Make art for yourself & no one else… if it makes YOU happy, its serving a very BIG purpose.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
FOOD: I am partial to my friends & long time employers, Fire on the Mountain- Denver! Delicious food, great beer & cocktails, & the best vibes around. The employees are so colorful & friendly! A few other amazing dining spots are Esters, Hops & Pie, Post Oak BBQ (shout-out to good ole Texas Barbecue!), Sunnyside Supperclub, & Illegal Pete’s of course! My favorite vegan spot is City-o-City & if ya want to make it fancy, you’ve got to check out Fifth String or American Elm. When it comes to Denver dining, there are SO many amazing restaurants & I ALWAYS try to support small, locally owned businesses.

DRINKS: New Image, Our Mutal Friend & Crooked Stave are some of my favorite breweries… there are SO. MANY. BREWERIES. & you really can’t go wrong! Adelitas on South Broadway has an incredible Tequila selection (& amazing tacos too!), again, Hops & Pie & Fire on the Mountain have an excellent draft selection, Williams & Graham is an amazing little speakeasy w/ incredible cocktails.

MUSIC: Catching a show at Red Rocks is a no-brainer & one of the best known venues near Denver, but there is also Mission Ballroom, Globe Hall, Larimer Lounge, the Bluebird, Ogden Theater, Cervantes & The Other Side to name a few.

SHOP/VISIT/HANG: Hiking around Red Rocks is amazing. I love the Matthew Winters trail. Go hike & finish w/ a beer at Over Yonder just down the road. Sloans Lake is wonderful for an afternoon stroll… a huge lake in the middle of the city! South Broadway (SoBo) is another great spot in the city to just walk around & see the murals, shops, & beautiful Denver people. SoBo always has some of the best vintage/thrift shops in town… shout-out to La Lovely Vintage! I try to shop small whenever possible. Some of my favorite local shopping spots are Wordshop, Forage, Fancy Tiger, Modern Nomad, all the shops at The Source & The Conifer Shop. All of these spots are so beautifully curated & thought out… you are sure to find some special treasures.

Denver has so much to offer, its really hard to narrow down the list. I love this city because there are so many pockets throughout our city that make it so special & vibrant.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I couldn’t have written my story without the love & support of my mom. She was an artist early on in my life & taught me my craft. She has always encouraged me to make my artwork a priority & not a hobby. Her love & support has always carried me through this life.

My sisters, who are both business owners & creative beings. Watching their successes & hardships has helped push me to keep on goin!

My day-job, local Denver restaurant, Fire on the Mountain’s owners, Andrea West & Craig Oberlink. I’ve worked for them for almost 10 years, I started as a waitress & I’ve grown to be their creative director of both our Denver restaurants. Their continued support over the years would’ve made any of my successes impossible. They allowed me to create a role that brings the importance of local art, culture, & spreading the joy of food to our Denver community.

My partner & best friend, Matt. He inspires me & motivates me daily. Coming home to a nurturing & loving partner will make anyone go that much further. His patience is key, bc when I have to bury myself in my studio he always picks up the pieces of daily life, like laundry & walking the dogs. That is real life & he always makes sure I can pursue my creative deadlines w/o any guilt that can come along with that… Thank you my love!

Website: Laurenlarkinart.com

Instagram: @laurenlarkinart

Facebook: @LaurenLarkinArt