Discussions with creatives, leaders and thinkers

Interviews Season 53

Lauren Pretorius, Artist, Lauren Pretorius Art

As an oil painter, I focus on the humble everyday objects we can so easily overlook. I attempt to shed light upon the beauty of the food in our kitchen, the quiet flowers in a vase, and the charming reflections of a simple teapot. I also have an affectionate draw to the humorous and the whimsical.

This theme is scattered across my portfolio. Cheeky rubber duckies, goldfish in light bulbs and anthropomorphised inanimate objects. It, combined with smooth gradients that play with light and shadow, creates a more interesting and fun piece of work.

I normally don't have a solid intention with my works, preferring to display things as they are but in a different light. I do hope, however, that the simple fusion of humble beauty, tactile softness, and bright energy of these simple objects can bring a smile to someone's day. When I'm not painting, I'm snapping photos in the wild. Check out my wildlife on my website.

“Never lose your childish enthusiasm.”

Lauren Pretorius

Lauren Pretorius, Instagram and Website

What is your favourite social media platform, and why?

Currently, I am really enjoying Instagram and TikTok. I love painting but being able to display my painting process along with choice music really makes things more exciting these days. 

I simply used to post an image of my completed work, but I think showing my followers the steps I take to create my artwork paired with some great tunes really makes the artwork shine.

Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.

I am currently focused on still-life paintings with oil that has a whimsical twist. I have tried other mediums and subjects over the years, but I always go back to my simple still-life compositions... I just enjoy it more than any other type of art.

What do you like about your career or area of focus?

I enjoy being able to utilise my creative process every day.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

While attending the pre-med program in college, I quickly realised that although the medical field would provide a long-lasting and respectable career, I found myself disconnected from the idea of what exactly I would do after graduating. 

Halfway through the program, I was completely lost. The best advice I received was when my mother told me, 'Well, you've always enjoyed creating art, so why not change your degree to something you love?" Why not indeed... After that moment, things just fell into place and seemed to make sense. 

I did a complete 180 and completely changed my degree to Graphic Design and Fine Art, and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?

The ever-changing technology of this day and age motivates me to continue to challenge myself, especially in the field of social media. Being connected to the entire world and showing your creative process is an exciting thing that drives me to create more and deliver different ideas.

What are you proud of in your life so far?

It's a wonderful thing to step away from one of the norms of society, the standard 9-5 job. Being able to become a self-employed artist is something I am completely proud of. However, the experience of getting here was a tad scary as most other unknowns.

What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?

I enjoy meeting with fellow like-minded artists on social media.

What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?

When I began my full-time artist journey, I made sure to have structure throughout my days to make sure I would stay on task and accomplish my goals daily. One thing I made sure to do was to paint every single day, Monday to Friday. 

After years of painting, the process has become so much more simple for me, and I have a greater understanding of colour theory. However, starting a new painting on a white canvas was always a bit of a frightening task. 

Now, however, I feel I can jump right in without reservations once I have conceptualised my idea.

What do you wish you had known when you started out?

I wish I had known how well things would have fallen into place a lot sooner so I could have started this journey of being a full-time artist a few years prior to when I actually began.

Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles and why?

I don't admire anyone specifically, but I generally admire the creatives that get in front of the camera daily and discuss their process/work. I mostly create short-form videos of my process alone but have made a few tiny debuts in front of the camera, and it's quite daunting to me. 

So, I take my hat off to those individuals who can show themselves to the world and their creations without reservation.

Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?

I also happen to be a wildlife photographer. Wildlife is a passion of mine that takes up quite a bit of my time. I manage to travel to South Africa and Yellowstone National Park, usually every year, to take photographs of animals in their natural habitats.

Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you managed it?

The pandemic didn't seem to affect my business much as everything takes place online.

What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?

I would recommend having them get their feet wet by starting an online shop on Etsy. Etsy is a great platform to sell your original artwork along with prints. I also started out on Etsy and had great luck, and as time went by, my sales slowly began to increase enough to the point where I started to consider being an artist full-time.

What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?

I think many other creatives spend too much time comparing themselves and their artwork to other artists. I used to get caught in a bubble just looking at what other artists were coming up with instead of just hitting the grindstone and getting to work. However, in this day and age, I spend a little time enjoying what other people are creating but now have found my own niche and just stick to what I like and know how to do.

Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?

"Never lose your childish enthusiasm." I think this is such a true standard to live by. The quote is from the movie Under the Tuscan Sun (One of my favourite movies as well).

What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?

I really enjoy Etsy. It's a great marketplace that anyone can use to offer their handmade items to the entire world.

How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?

Success is that moment that suddenly hits you one day when you realise you've actually done it... you achieved goals or ambitions that seemed too great or almost impossible to accomplish. It's a great feeling indeed. 

There are quite often setbacks on the road to success, and most times, it could be easier to give up simply - but those setbacks, whatever they may be, always fade away even though they may feel quite daunting at the moment. But if you simply keep pushing forward, good things will come.

The Global Interview