VoyageDallas: Rising Stars

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

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Born and raised in Beaumont, Texas, photography became my main interest at 11 years old. I use to wake up early for the sunrise and wander my backyard until the sun would set. I focused on all my surroundings and emotions at all times. I was eager to grab a camera and capture all that I was seeing. For the longest time, I believed I visualized life through a cinematic view. I constantly saw film stills in everyone and everything I saw. Now living in Fort Worth, Texas, my craft and love for photography have risen to the ultimate high. Since graduating from The University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, I am in the constant state of mind of creating more.

Due to COVID-19, I lost my job in April of 2020. This pushed me to what I wanted to do from the beginning – teach art. I now am a middle school art teacher! I still am constantly photographing for clients but more so for myself. During the pandemic, I really grew an interest in fibers art! It has been over a year now of playing with yarn and thread, and I am absolutely still drawn to it. I love to create wall pieces for friends & clients. It’s been so fun trying a new medium!

My father passed away in December of 2020. I am still trying to process it all. He was an artist himself and without him, I felt like I had to push harder. Grief is a weird thing but with every embroidery I make and photograph I capture, I find myself thinking more about him. I think it makes me work harder in all aspects of my career.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. Losing my job during COVID, not being able to photograph people at the beginning of the pandemic- was challenging.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in photography! I have been photographing since I was 11 years old. I am most proud of winning an art grant that was given by Fort Works Art for my film photography. I’m known mainly for my self-portraits on Flickr. This was between 2008-2012 that my photos would get the front page or featured on their “explore” page. This was a huge achievement for the photography community. Flickr was my diary. From ages 12-22, I focused a lot of my photography on self-portraiture. It helped me reflect on my emotions and look at subjects in a new light. The most recent medium I have picked up involves fibers. So give me some fabric, a tapestry needle, and thread. I’ll make anything! I mostly enjoy creating wall art pieces for my friends and family. Give me any art or craft supplies, and you’ll fine me making something.

Contact Info:

• Email: lorushing@gmail.com

• Website: www.laurenrushing.com

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurenrushingphoto

• Other: www.flickr.com/white_ribbons (to see the old lauren)

SHOUTOUT DFW →

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Rushing and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lauren, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I began a photography business while I was in high school. I wanted to work for myself, and continue to create images that allowed people to remember their memories in the most special way. I moved from Denton to Fort Worth and things had to change. I noticed I was photographing for others more so than myself. I didn’t want to lose that passion so I put my camera down for others for a while.
When covid hit, I really got into fibers and I wanted to create fun, bright, textile art that people could appreciate in their home. Regardless of where I am in life, I want to create art for myself and others to enjoy. I want to show people the value and love of art through creating a fibers based business. That is my main focus currently.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a full time art teacher but, I have been a photographing since I was 13! I really focused in film photography and when Covid hit, Fort Worth Arts had a chance for artists to submit their work and win a grant. Accomplishing and receiving the grant really helped me in pursuing my new found love of fibers and tufting. It really eased the anxiety of the pandemic and I wasn’t able to take photos.

I feel like in this day of age in social media, it wasn’t easy. Everything happens SO fast in terms of technology and it’s hard to keep up. There is always that voice in the back of your head that compares yourselves to others. I had to change my mindset a lot of times. I took breaks from social media and that helped a lot. I think we all should because being in the present of what you are making, is very important. Take a step back and focus on you, not others.

I learned that no matter what others are making, to truly focus on yourself. I stopped looking at what I should make for money and just create things I enjoy. If someone loves it, great! If someone wants to buy it, even better. But creating art that fulfills you is the most important. If it weren’t for becoming an art teacher, I wouldn’t have realized I have talents in areas that aren’t just about photography. Teaching art has encouraged me to be a better artist each day.

I want others to know it takes time to figure out what kind of art fulfills your heart. Passion is a hard thing to figure out but it’s important in our day to day lives. I hope everyone finds something that lifts their heart. Whether it’s art or not, find something that allows you to have your “me time”. Stick with it—don’t lose it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Anytime I have a friend visit, I have to take them to Turner Falls in Oklahoma. Being surrounded in nature really does something for our hearts and soul. The waterfalls, the hills, all of it brings me a sense of Euphoria.

If friends come to visit in Fort Worth, I take them to Docs Records! The workers there are so kind and who doesn’t love to leave with a record? They also have several vintage sellers all around the store. It makes it a fun experience by having music and lovely fashion everywhere.

I believe everyone should check out estate sales on the weekend! There is always something fun or interesting you find in other’s homes or past homes. You are allowed to see someone’s history and collect some of it as you go.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a shoutout to my dad who passed in December of 2020. He was a talented musician and I saw the hard work he put in. Someone else that inspires me is my close friend R’Bonney Nola Gabriel. She is a fashion designer based out of Houston and has worked with textile art her entire life. She really encouraged me and taught me I could have more than one passion in the art world. She was my cheerleader and always rooting me on when I was lost on which art form to work on.

Website: www.laurenrushing.com

Instagram: laurenrushingart

Canvas Rebel Interview →

Meet Lauren Rushing

STORIES & INSIGHTS JUNE 2, 2022

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Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lauren Rushing. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Lauren, appreciate you joining us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

If I could go back in time, I would have created sooner and explored other mediums in art.

Since I was young, I felt like everything I saw was a still from a movie. Since then, I knew it was a gift that I should utilize.
When I was in high school, I ran a photography business for portraits. I had started my photography journey at 13 by creating self portraits as an emotional outlet. Since then, I have continued creating fine art photography, as well as other forms of photography such as photojournalism, conceptual art, and portraits. I’ve always enjoyed capturing moments in time and it gives me sense of purpose.

Once I went to The University of North Texas, I was so eager to continue my photography journey. I was excited to create conceptual art in a learning experience. Sadly, that program was not for me. It all felt so “one sided” based off of the professor’s “ideas” of photography. In reality, art is subjective.

At one point, I was studying Art Education. I worked two jobs, went to school full time, and it was a struggle!
I continued photography, but changed my degree to Art & Design with a minor in Social Sciences.

Now a few years later, I am an art educator. I wish I could have started this sooner because now I am so interested in other art mediums! Being an art teacher allows me to venture and find new projects not only for my student’s learning, but for mine as well. I have realized not only do I enjoy 2D art, but I really enjoy 3D art now!

I wish I knew sooner that I would be drawn to other forms of art. I am now a multidisciplinary artist that focuses not only in photography, but fibers! I create embroideries, weaving wall pieces, rugs, coasters, and so much more. Creating something that you’re able to hold, touch, analyze, and hold a feeling of sensation with textures?! That is so rewarding. If I knew more about fibers in my high school and college days, I feel like it would have had a different role in my art career and where I am today with it.

I wish I could have started textile and fibers artwork sooner because it’s difficult trying to find your place in the art world. To keep up, learn techniques, etc. Art changes constantly!
Thankfully, my love for photography has always held a special place in my heart and life.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Once I realized I had an interest in photography, there was a moment when I realized I wanted to create for people…originally. I still photograph weddings, engagements, portraits, and so forth. As I got older, I realized I wasn’t creating for me anymore. I was only photographing for others. I LOVE photographing my clients and I am blessed that they see my talent and TRUST me with those special moments. I’ve been photographing for so long, but competition is everywhere.

I am proud of many things, but I am very proud (more so thankful) for having others reach out to use my photos. That could be for their blog, a book, a lesson on portraits, etc. It fulfills me when people ask because they see a photo that represents what they are trying to say or show.

When covid hit, I was awarded a grant from Fort Works Art & Sundance Square here in Fort Worth. I was freshly new to Fort Worth, and the fact they had an option for artists to submit their work for a grant, during such a financially hard time, I was so proud of myself.

I submitted both photographs & fibers art work, and ta-da! I was so thrilled.

I am currently trying to start a business with my tufting art works. I learned through the pandemic, I have a love for fibers. Tufting is a medium of creating rugs. I first began embroidering and punch needle, but once I saw it trending during Covid, I had to grab my hands on it. Teaching takes a lot of my day, so during the summer I really plan to change it up!

You can follow my journey on instagram for my fibers artwork, as well as photography.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is having people enjoy your work. It’s hard to choose all of the rewarding aspects, but having someone compliment your work is at the very top.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

When I tell people I’d rather stay home and create art over going out on a late night, most people don’t understand that unless they are an artist. If I start a project, I have to finish it. Not every creative is this way, but I most certainly am. Now there are many times I hang out with my friends, but usually they have to approach me. I’m so glad they do because after the pandemic, it is something I just got use to.

Sometimes it’s hard to sit down and relax when you know you could be working on something, at least for me.

I also find it very therapeutic to unwind in creative activities. I tell my students all the time how much I believe art has helped me cope and understand my emotions. Art is therapy to a lot of people.

Contact Info:

• Website: laurenrushing.com

• Instagram: laurenrushingart