Creator's Corner: Lauren Green of Pot Girl
Lauren Green | Creator of Pot Girl
Painting is more than just a job for Lauren - it’s what brings her true happiness and fulfillment.
Though the pandemic has shifted some of her business plans, Lauren’s been busy painting murals for local businesses and getting her online store Pot Girl up and running.
Here she talks about the proud and challenging moments she has as a creative business owner, and how she sees her art evolving in the next few years.
Tell us a little about yourself! Who are you and what’s your creative background?
I’m just a girl living in Winch and loving every second of it. I like my own space and spending time on projects at home and for others. I’ve been painting and drawing ever since I can remember, so it’s really second nature and makes my happy and fulfilled.
What was your inspiration for starting “Pot Girl?”
Ever since I moved to the Surf Coast, I thought it would be fun to have a pot shop out of my shed. Think: Saturday morning mini market vibes with scones and coffee. It would be a nice way for people to come and see the pots, the studio space and highlight that country community spirit that is so infectious out here. Then Corona came so I came up with Pot Girl - the online version.
You also paint beautiful large scale murals for local businesses. What’s the process of creating a mural from from start to finish?
The beginning is a lot of planning. I’ll usually meet the client in the space to have a chat about size, colours and styles. I’ll then go back and sketch a few ideas to choose from. After we’ve locked in a date, I’ll organise all the paint and materials. On paint day, I prep the space, roughly outline the content and then paint away.
Do you have any rituals that help you get into the zone before you sit down to paint?
I try to visualise the steps and process as well as what I want it to look like the night before. I go through the colours in my head, certain techniques I want to use so that I’m ready to just go for it on painting day. I usually like to start early so a solid breaky is also key.
What does a day in the life look like for you?
Big long walk with the dogs, maybe a cheeky episode of Grey’s and really well thought out sandwich.
What’s influencing your creativity right now?
The change of season - especially colours. Colours are always inspiring me. The spaces I work in always influence me, and the local flora and fauna always make their way into a project.
How has the pandemic impacted your art and work?
The pandemic has given me a chance to slow down and it definitely gave me the push I needed to start Pot Girl. The last month has been crazy for murals. It’s been so nice to travel around and work on these projects. It get’s me out of the house and I meet new people and visit amazing spaces.
What are some of the challenges of running your own business?
It’s all on me. Sometimes I find it overwhelming that people trust me with their space and it’s my job to create something they love, and also something I can be proud of. I often stress about accidentally getting paint on some of their property and not being able to get it out. I’m just trying to learn to solve one problem at a time and not freak out.
What’s one misconception about pursuing a creative career that you want to rectify?
I feel like people are starting to take creative careers more seriously and understand how important they are to our society and world. I especially believe this pandemic will help people realise what actually makes them happy, what’s important and what gives them that fire and passion. I think if you take yourself seriously and believe in your skills and capabilities, then you can pursue any career. That was the turning point for me anyway.
What is the proudest moment in your journey so far?
I think the Soapbar mural in Torquay really blew my own mind. It was always a dream to paint a landscape like that with a heap of animals. The client pretty much let me go wild so I had freedom to run with my ideas. It was also the first time I got to use scaffold and that was also a big fantasy for me. I remember standing back after a solid 3 days of painting and feeling like it really was a reflection of the painter I’ve always wanted to be. So I was proud about that.
How do you see your art evolving over the next few years?
Hopefully the murals get bigger. I love painting big. The bigger the better. So much adrenaline and satisfaction goes into those massive projects and I love the challenge. I would love to get original Pot Girl up and running and potentially do some workshops.
When you’re not creating, what can we find you doing?
Walking with my two dogs, hanging out in the garden, cooking, watching a guilt free movie in the morning and spending time with friends when we are allowed.
What do you look forward to each day?
Honestly spending time with my dogs. They bring me so much joy it hurts.
What advice would you give aspiring women wanting to turn their passion or art into a career?
As soon as you start believing you can do it, you will. There is no time for self doubt. You have to take risks and learn from the mistakes. At the end of the day it’s just you out there. Make sure you do something that makes your fire burn.
Finish these sentences
My favorite place to travel is Vegas and the Murray River.
I lose track of time when I’m painting.
I can read all Harry Potter books by JK Rowling over and over again.
I believe that magic is everywhere! Especially in rainbows!
These 3 adjectives that describe my life right now: Relaxed, exciting and hopeful
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