Meet Lauren Armstrong

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Armstrong.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Lauren. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up in a small North Alabama City, about two hours south of Nashville, & I attended undergraduate school in Providence Rhode Island. A month after receiving my BFA in Film Animation and Video from the Rhode Island School of Design, I drove myself, the old family Prius, and my dog Walter from Providence to Alabama to Los Angeles.

I found my first apartment off of an unassuming Craigslist ad. It sat somewhere between the “Nichelle Nichols” & “Randy Newman” stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and it was just about 375 square feet. Since living in Los Angeles I have had many, many different job titles: Director, Assistant Editor, Animator, Barista, Illustrator, failed Barista, Editor, Painting Teacher, Barista of the month, etc.– But the title my creative practice is rooted in is “Artist”.

Has it been a smooth road?
Growing up was difficult in some ways. My mother struggled with mental illness and alcoholism, and my father briefly left my family when I was 11. At the time, I didn’t understand why. My mom was so heartbroken and angry. She said terrible things about me, my dad, my brother, my sister. About how my dad left on account of us being such bad children. But when I was thirteen, I called my dad and made it clear that we couldn’t safely live with her anymore.

We were picked up from our mother’s house at eleven o’clock on a school night, and my dad got us some food at the late night Taco Bell drive-thru. “If you stay with me, I have to tell you the truth”, my Dad said. We nodded, my little brother picking tomatoes out of his hard shell taco, my sister with bits of lettuce on her chin. “I’m not a man. I was born in this body, and It’s not the right one for me. And that feeling is not going away. Do you understand?” At the time, we really didn’t, but we didn’t understand much of anything back them. “We love you, Dad. We can’t go back there.” That began our journey together. It wasn’t until years later that she talked about it again. In fact, we both really came out to each other the same summer. We drove to up to Nashville. She was wearing a black leather skirt and my hair was a bleach-damaged shade of yellow. “I’m queer too, Dad.” She put her hand on my head the way she does to say, “you’re my kid”. She was just starting to grow her hair out. She looked so beautiful, being that full of happiness.

Of course, a lot of things fill the gaps between those moments and now, but since then, we’re both happy, hopeful. She still lives in Alabama, & I have moved to LA to begin my life as an artist. I had a list of about six people I knew out here. They told me their stories, how they ended up in this place where the sun always shines. I made friends and worked shifts at studios and coffee shops and paint stores and post-production houses all over the city. I was nervous and tired all the time, but I kept working. I needed to keep the ball in the air, convinced that if I let it drop, I’d collapse back in time somehow. I’ve since gotten then hang of it a bit -And I think for anyone pursuing a creative career, there will always be challenges. But my life has taught me when to step away, and when to speak up so that I can make room for people and places that cultivate what’s sunny and happy and hopeful.

Please tell us more about your art.
I am an artist — so I do a number of things. I illustrate I animate, I direct. I’ve worked with television directors to design pitch decks, I’ve collaborated with film composers to design album covers, and I’ve directed animated video installations for theatre productions. And that’s what I love most about what I do: that I can bring my skills to a number of places, and collaborate with my clients to create unique art, film, and design that is expressive, inventive, and functional.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Being in a car for hours on end can feel a bit isolating. I like being able to walk or take a train somewhere and read, sketch or people watch. So I definitely miss that aspect of certain city life. But I think a lot of people feel this way, especially in light of the COVID-19 outbreak — and as a result, I think it leads to people being more compassionate and friendly than in other cities. There is a culture of generosity that I had not expected. Especially before the pandemic, I was struck by how willing people were to chat at a grocery store, book shop, or park. There’s an understanding that we’re all floating out here, and we want to find a way to connect with one another.

Social distancing has certainly brought on new feelings of isolation, but there is a comfort in knowing that we’re doing it for the health and safety of others. And it’s really the people that I love most about Los Angeles and the access to so many great artists and creatives. Almost everyone I’ve run into wants to be a resource in some way or another. And as someone who grew up in a small city, it’s refreshing to find a sense of community even in a place so sprawling. It’s a great source of inspiration to me, even in times of great challenges.

Contact Info:

• Website: laurenarmstrongstudios.myportfolio.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @your____secret____admirer
• Other: https://vimeo.com/user32356821

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