Meet the Maker: Lauren Camara

This March, meet our maker of the month, Lauren Camara. Lauren is a self taught artist and full time graphic designer with a primary focus on print and paper. Celebrate National Craft Month & Women's History Month by learning more about this month's maker, the passion behind her projects and her unique style here.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Where are you from? Where do you live? How did you get started in graphic design and your role as a creative director? What are your hobbies? What makes your life feel special every day?

I'm a self-taught artist, graphic designer, and creative director originally from NY, currently living in the Bronx. I have always created art and have experimented with different mediums over the years. At 19, I interned at a small Manhattan design agency, and quickly discovered my interest in graphic design. The precision of graphic design – the clean lines, bold colors, and fascinating simplicity – captivated me like no other medium. I was determined to learn graphic design, so I purchased my first Mac computer, and delved into design programs, teaching myself through books in the pre-internet era. As I learned the programs, I began creating my graphic design portfolio and my career as a designer began. I've been fortunate to contribute to exciting creative departments including Major League Baseball, Sony Music, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), and now Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Each experience and position has fueled my evolution as a graphic designer and as an artist. Beyond my current full-time position and working on my art, I find joy in jogging in Van Cortlandt Park and spending time with my family – my incredible husband and two awesome teenage boys. My life revolves around the simplicity of family, friends, art, music, and dance. When did you begin work with paper art and how did you get involved? Immersed in the world of graphic design, my primary focus for many years was creating designs for print pieces. I was surrounded by paper swatch books, each containing a treasure trove of textures, colors, and patterns that captivated me. The allure of different types of paper was instantaneous and I found myself intrigued by the possibility of using them for something beyond traditional graphic design. Driven by an obsession with these unique papers, I transformed some paper swatches into my first paper collage, a portrait of my husband. This passion has continued to grow over decades along with my overwhelming paper collection. The discovery of Paper Source, with its incredible array of handmade papers, has opened a world of new possibilities for my art beyond the solid colors I was typically using. 

Tell us about your style and the process.

I define my art style as graphic, bold, and clean. It's a structured approach, though the final result may not immediately convey that. The first step in my creative journey involves selecting a subject that resonates with me on a personal level. Daily encounters, family moments, political reflections, music, and people in my community serve as profound sources of inspiration. Whether it's someone's unique style, a conversation's nuances, or the movement in a gesture, these elements shape my artistic vision. From the ordinary, I extract graphic elements, discerning shapes and forms. Once my subject is chosen, I embark on the meticulous process of selecting my paper palette. Scanning the papers hanging on the walls in my makeshift studio, I carefully pick the foundational pieces, considering symbolism, contrasting colors, patterns, and textures. The building phase then begins, similar to constructing a spider web. Starting with the focal point or what I consider the most captivating section, often the face, I build out each section. Clarity and distinction between each area is crucial, guided by my paper choices. No repeated patterns, just the right mix of color and tone. It is a slow process and it is very difficult to go backwards. I work in sections, taking a step back regularly to see the whole picture and make adjustments.

Tell us about the exhibitions that you have participated in. Even though I have been working in this medium for decades, it's only recently that I started sharing my pieces. Over the past few years, I've been fortunate to showcase my work in various locations and exhibitions, including: ● Warburton Galerie, Yonkers, NY ● Art on the Avenue Exhibitions, NYC ● The Fine Art Program and Collection at Montefiore Einstein, Bronx, NY ● BX200, a Bronx Visual Artist Directory, bx200.com ● Gallery 505, Bronx, NY ● Riverfront Art Gallery, Yonkers, NY

What inspires you as a maker?

I find inspiration in the ordinary moments of daily life, my family, politics, music, and my community. Sometimes I am touched by someone's unique style, a conversation, or the nuances of an expression. My pieces share personal messages or convey the simple beauty found in unexpected places—like a spontaneous moment or a surprise connection. These unexpected inspirations may be as ordinary as meeting a soon-to-be-mother setting up her baby shower in the park, a young man practicing skateboarding skills, a chat with a local photographer, passing by women waiting for the local bus, a song that resonates with me, sitting on the couch with my husband, or my children drawing with chalk on the sidewalk. What are the essentials in your maker toolkit? What is your favorite medium? Paper, an X-Acto knife, a cutting board, tape, and glue are the essentials in my maker toolkit. It took me a long time to find my primary medium, which is paper. Currently, it's the only medium I work with (aside from graphic design). 

What advice would you give other makers, designers, and creators given your experience?

With time and practice, growth is inevitable. Reflecting on how much my technique has evolved in a short span, I realize that diving deeper into my work and embracing the natural exploration of new ideas played a crucial role. Sharing my work publicly was something I never imagined doing. I'll admit, self-criticism was and still is a constant companion, but I create anyway. My advice to other makers, designers, and creators is simply to create. You do not know where it will lead and what joy it might bring you. Allow yourself to create without judgment, make art for yourself and without a strict plan.

Do you have any specific goals for the future or dream projects?

I don't have specific goals for the future beyond continuing to create and share. However, I do hope to explore significant larger sized pieces someday. The only challenge is that studio space will be needed for that—storing work under a bed is not ideal!

What is Your Favorite Colorscope Color at PS?

I love every single Colorscope Color! It’s truly impossible for me to pick one but if I have to, today I will pick persimmon. Tomorrow I think I’ll pick fushia! 

Do you have any favorite PS items that you are loving right now?

Every single piece of paper that Paper Source has in stock. I am obsessed! Handmade Lokta paper from Nepal is probably my favorite at the moment because it is so strong, has an elegant feel and the colors are stunning.