Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Duplissey
Hi Lauren, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Growing up, art was my outlet. Throughout my young life, that spark of passion became an unyielding pursuit. When I was 15, I started painting. I was drawn to the idea of painting someone in their most natural state, whatever that looked like. This concept eventually led me to the painting of my favorite portrait. When it was almost complete, I noticed that there was a reflection of a car in my subject’s eyes. I liked the look of the reflection, but the car felt man-made. I got an idea to replace the reflection with a silhouette of Jesus, although I had not thought about Jesus much before. As I painted, I noticed an external spirit, or feeling within me, guiding my paint strokes. I didn’t have words to explain it. I became infatuated with this feeling, and my painting elevated to a skill level that I knew was beyond my ability.
This feeling, however, was short-lived and I quickly moved on with my life. My time with Jesus became a distant memory and I fell deeply. Since birth I have battled a range of health problems. Death was close and my life and art grew dark and lifeless. After spiraling into addiction and depression, I began to search for something more. Diving into the psychedelic world, my art showcased a newfound spiritual journey, and for years I created paintings that illustrated my experiences on drugs, and highlighted new age and eastern philosophy, alongside the darkness growing within me.
In my love for reading spiritual books, I eventually became curious about the Bible. I was hesitant, as I had heard that the Bible was not a spiritual path, but a list of pointless do’s and don’ts. But as I read, I was inspired to talk to God just as I regularly meditated, which I had found tangible power in. When I began to talk to God as a person, the power I found in him made my years of meditation feel like childsplay. The way God spoke to me was more personal and powerful than any relationship I had ever been in. I had always assumed prayer was talking to God, but never did I expect to talk with God.
It wasn’t long before he became my best friend. And the more I read about him in the Bible, the deeper I fell in love with him. The other spiritual practices in my life naturally fell away when I was with him. They just didn’t compare. My depression fell away. My addictions fell away. He was so good they stopped mattering next to his greatness. Soon, every suffering I was experiencing and all of my health issues were nothing next to him.
I have always used my art to express things that were difficult for me to put into words. My pain became my art, which highlighted the depth of darkness I was experiencing. But now victory has become my art, illustrating the light I’ve found. Looking back, I see that the feeling I first experienced when I was 15, one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever felt, is now the only way I paint, yielding to God through me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I wouldn’t say my journey has been easy, but it has been immensely fulfilling. That being said, I would say my struggle is surrender.
I have had to surrender opportunities in the professional world due to strictly painting God’s ideas versus in-trend subject matter. The controversial nature of Jesus has certainly hindered me getting into galleries and finding places to show my art, networking within the art community, and especially in finding like minded artists. But the complete fulfillment that comes as I paint with him, makes these career losses seem like nothing to me. For my art is no longer for my own gain, but for the encouragement of others and the delight of God.
However, the area I’ve had the most trouble letting go of is my reputation. I was commissioned to paint a surprise portrait for a powerful CEO to hang in his office. Shortly after, I received a vision from God to paint him holding a heart of stone transforming into a living heart, with fruits sprouting out. The vision felt soft and vulnerable for such a powerful man and I resisted, searching for something that would make me more comfortable. During this experience, God clearly spoke to me, “If you are worried about your own self image, I cannot paint though you.” So I painted in faith, and although I felt reluctant regarding the concept up until the day of delivery, I was shocked to find that he had seen the image before, in a dream thirty years prior, which had changed his life.
My journey as an artist in God has been one that has required the complete surrender of my will, my plans, and my own reputation for his. Giving up authority over my life has led to such sweetness as he fills me with contentment separate from the circumstances I face. What I’ve learned is having Jesus guide me is far more fulfilling than guiding myself.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I love oil painting because it allows me to layer and layer and layer. Each layer adds new depth to both the painting and the developing story. Painting on a large scale heightens the weight of the story, as well as providing me with the space to move and dance around as I paint. It’s freeing to paint sweeping strokes capped with subtle detail. I’ve never looked at my painting and thought, “this is too big.”
I specialize in vivid paintings featuring many and vibrant colors, which I put together in such a way that my paintings look natural, or even truer than what is real, as if from a dream. I utilize color theory, so the foundation of my work is enriched with harmony and perfection, like a math equation. The placement of bright colors next to and over each other results in them blending into one color, but deeper and more alive. In doing so, I like to mix my colors on the canvas rather than my pallet to achieve an orderly and beautiful burst of life.
To me, nothing beats figures and portraits, as this subject matter challenges me to capture emotions. I am intrigued with the subtle portrayal of complex emotions. For example, the slight raise of an eyebrow or a cheek can completely change the emotion portrayed. I also enjoy creating visual representations of feelings I have with God, which are outside the scope of human language.
Many times, as I receive a vision, I am provided with some insight into what the vision is about, but my understanding is incomplete. So I begin by first painting the image revealed to me, sometimes as a memory, and others as ongoing experiences. Sometimes, I am even brought back to the feeling of the vision, or even given another vision that relates to it. In all of this, I know that I must begin the painting in faith, knowing that God will minister to me as the complex story slowly unravels.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Please feel free to check out my website and social media. Email, text or call me, anytime. (All linked below.)
There’s something so special about collaborating with others and sharing the experience of showcasing our work together in group shows. Let’s collaborate and share our gifts with each other and the world together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.LaurenDuplissey.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenduplisseyart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauren.skinner.35574/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@laurenduplissey5367
- Other: [email protected]. (949)616-5505
