Meet Lauren Zavala

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

Lauren, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

I keep my creativity alive by staying curious and giving myself new experiences. Whenever I feel a lull, I reach for something different, whether that means experimenting with a new medium or diving into a craft project. It keeps my hands moving and my mind open without the pressure of producing a final piece. Cooking does the same thing for me. It is creative, sensory, and low stakes, which helps me reset.
On a deeper level, I stay inspired by working on large canvas pieces in the background. Those are slow and intentional, and they remind me why I create in the first place. I am building toward a future show, but I am letting the process unfold at a natural pace. Giving myself that kind of long runway keeps the joy in my work and helps my imagination stay active.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

am a painter, and I found my way into this career while I was living in London and working on my Masters. It was one of those rare moments where everything clicked. I realized I could combine my love of fine art with my interest in luxury design, and it turned into a path that feels both natural and exciting.
A big part of my work involves painting on designer pieces. I love the challenge of working with high quality materials and finding ways to elevate them without losing their identity. It feels like a blend of craftsmanship, fashion, and traditional art. I still use a lot of my art history background, which keeps the work thoughtful and grounded.
I have also expanded into live event painting. I work across the country with brands like Staud, Neiman Marcus, and Coach, creating custom pieces in real time for their clients. It is fast paced, interactive, and personal, and I enjoy the connection it creates. It is very different from studio work, but it feeds the same creative drive.
Right now I am focused on growing both sides of my business while continuing to build a long term body of work for future exhibition. I want people to know that my brand sits in the space where art, fashion, and experience meet, and that the goal is always to make something meaningful and memorable.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

My background in art history shaped me more than I realized at the time. Studying it through both my bachelors and my Masters taught me how to think visually, how to understand style, and how to pull references with intention. That foundation still shows up in my work every day.
Travel has also been huge. Seeing old architecture, different textures, and the way design shifts from place to place fills my mind with ideas. A lot of my inspiration comes from small details I notice when I am away from home.
Skill wise, the most important thing for my practice is control and breath. I rely on very fine linework, and keeping my breath steady helps me create those clean, delicate marks that my pieces depend on.
For anyone early in their journey, my advice is simple. Do it scared. Do it before you feel ready. Someone will always be further along, but that has nothing to do with your voice or your potential. Keep going, even when it feels slow. Consistency builds confidence, and confidence builds momentum.

If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?

I would spend it creating. I would cook for people I care about and keep making new things in the kitchen just because it brings everyone together. I would paint as much as I could and focus on the subjects and moments that actually matter to me. Mostly, I would try to use the time well. I would want to show up for the people in my life, make work I am proud of, and leave things a little better than I found them without overthinking the rest.

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Lauren Zavala

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