A strong vision and unrelenting work ethic have defined Lauren’s visual arts practice from a young age. Lauren Shipton has an eye for visuals, seeing the beauty in areas others often overlook. Her work captures everyday scenes in Western Canadian culture, elevating them and bringing them to front of mind. Dreamy but bold, her work invites us to re-examine our environment and how it affects our collective consciousness.
She was born in Saskatoon and grew up in rural Alberta. She graduated from Alberta University of the Arts where she studied graphic design and illustration. Her perspective on colour, composition, texture and tone are informed by her graphic design background and influence her work deeply.
Lauren sells her original paintings and prints through her studio Lucky Shape. She also is starting to sell products with the artwork she creates. Her first collection launched earlier this year which is a high-quality line of fishing-inspired clothing. These products evolved naturally from her work as a designer and as a painter coming together to create something more.
During the day Lauren works as an Art Director at a design agency and works evenings and weekends on her paintings. When she’s not working she’d rather be at the beach or floating down the river.
Lauren is a deeply caring person with a strong focus. This care and focus are reflected in her work as well when she is choosing a scene and in the craft of the painting itself. A lot of energy goes into each work. Whilst a young artist early in her career, she has put decades into her craft and it shows. Culminating in a unique vision that stands alone, elevating and recontextualizing the Western Canadian experience with expert craft.
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Which ‘hood do you live in?
I live in Downtown Calgary.
What do you do?
I am an acrylic painter exploring the contemporary Canadian West through landscape and still life painting. I am interested in the influence of design on our environment and the story that tells us about Canadian culture. I also work as an Art Director at a design + branding agency so my experience in design and illustration influences my work. As a painter, I am always on the hunt for specific colour palettes, typography, and design elements that shape and define my perspective of Western Canada.
What are you currently working on?
I currently have quite a few projects on the go:
I am working on a series of paintings of interesting places I come across on road trips. I am drawn to older structures that feel distinctly Canadian to me and also mark a moment in time.
I am also working on a series of old buildings in downtown Calgary that likely won’t be around for much longer than I think to define the landscape of our city in their own way.
I am always working on commissions of houses and cabins.
I am also working on a series of fishing lure paintings where I explore a ton of fun and interesting textures and materials on a smaller scale.
Where can we find your work?
