Meet Lauren Wholey | Artist and Software Engineer

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

Hi Lauren, how do you define success?
My surface level definition of success is to “support myself while being able to do the things I love”. Now if that is truly the meaning of success, I guess I have succeeded. I have a full time job that keeps a roof over my head, and I’m able to paint and create in my free time. But this doesn’t feel like my end all be all. My true definition of success goes further. To truly succeed I want to commit fully to my craft. To be able to say 50 years from now that I did everything I could to make, share, and teach art. Practically this looks like continuing my personal practice of art while also teaching others. Whether teaching means local community classes or teaching as a professor, it is incredibly important to me to share the wonderful journey of creating. I am so adamant about the benefits of art and self expression that inspiring and teaching others is my long term goal. Success means to me means creating a community of inspiration that anyone can access.

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.
Through oil painting and drawing, I preserve memories. I aim to provide a complete sensory experience through something the viewer can only look at. I paint quickly to produce a fluidity that captures movement and the interactions of subjects. My paintings often present a realistic face, but when given a second look that are odd and dreamlike. I want to push the viewer to a feeling of subtle recognition, something like dejavú. Something they might remember from a dream.
Using figures in my paintings allows me to push my work to represent the energy between people. I want to emulate how a person makes you feel when they walk in the room or how it makes you feel to be alone without them.
In my recent series, I explore the concept of self and the need for control. In American culture, having a plan is highly stressed. I explore themes of letting go of the need for control and surrendering to the chaos and flow of life.
Throughout my professional career as an artist, I have focused mostly on making the work (obviously a huge part of being an artist!). What I’ve learned from that is my goals will take much more than just getting in the studio and painting. While I sell my work and do commissions too, it’s even more than that! In future years, I aim to complete higher education in art with the goal of teaching and sharing my craft with others. Through this I hope to grow my personal business while also giving back to the community. Art has always been a give and take – inspiring and being inspired. I aim to live and work the same way.

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.
Denver is filled with so many charming places to explore. My favorite place to eat here has to be Ginger Pig, a delicious Chinese place in North Denver. My second favorite place to eat is the Highlands Square farmers market where you can get amazing coffee and banh mi sandwiches – a Sunday classic! Next stop would have to be either the Denver Art Museum or the Museum of Modern Art Denver. Both of which have fantastic exhibits that change every few months. In a perfect world, we could also visit the Denver Botanical Gardens, another weekend favorite of mine, to relax in and explore. The best part of the gardens is the poison dart frog tanks! Denver is full of surprises and inspiration on every street!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My whole life I have been surrounded by art, and I owe that to my family. From grandparents on both sides being artists to my mom making cartoons of our dogs, my family has been a constant inspiration. The first time I ever completed a painting was in my high school home along side my sister Holly. A dedicated artist herself, Holly shared her skills, materials, and inspiration with me. That afternoon I completed a rendition of a John Singer Sargent painting Holly had also once reimagined. I was hooked. Throughout covid, Holly and I threw ourselves into painting side by side. This daily practice helped me to establish a passion for creating. It’s been four years since that spring, and I’m still painting. Because of the love of art I shared with my sister I have been able to explore so many other mediums like printmaking, knitting, and crocheting. I owe a lot to Holly for lending me her paints and brushes.

Instagram: @painted.ladie