This Artist is Inspired by Our Countryside
Northern artist Lauren Young creates homeware and greetings cards inspired by the British countryside
Originally from Consett, Lauren has always been creative and enjoyed painting from a young age. ‘I was inspired by watching my grandad, a retired architect and pastel artist,’ she tells us. ‘After Sixth Form I went on to study Illustration at Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sunderland’. She graduated in June 2019 with a first class degree in Illustration and Design, and also received the Ede & Ravenscroft award for her book Sow, Grow and Go.
Now living and working just out side Brampton in Cumbria, Lauren is influenced by the countryside surrounding her, and her vibrant and detailed illustrations showcase the beauty of the landscape’s nature and wildlife. ‘Most of my artwork is created using watercolours,’ she explains. ‘I use reference images for the main subject matter and then let my imagination do the rest. I love manipulating colour and shape through my paint brush. My work is inspired by farm life and the countryside I see everyday around me.’
All the products Lauren uses come from British suppliers. She does her best to stay away from single-use plastic, and only uses recycled packaging. All of her cards and prints on normal papers are made with FSC-approved papers, and she also has a range of plantable cards.
As well as her cards and prints, Lauren’s artwork is also used to decorate note pads, to-do lists, calendars, oven gloves, coasters and reusable face and makeup wipes. Lauren also has a beautiful range of wedding and event stationery, from save the dates to thank you notes – all bespoke and made individually for each client, and this year she started offering live illustrating at weddings. Lauren is also available for commissions – working from your photographs she can create bespoke illustrations and portraits of pets, for example.
‘Every day is different for me,’ she says. ‘I spend my days packing orders, designing new products or wedding stationery, and creating new artwork. I try to spend time outside helping on the farm or with my dog which helps me to be inspired to create new artwork.’
Lauren’s advice to budding artists is to ‘put yourself out there’. ‘No one is going to know your talents if you don’t show them,’ she says. ‘Follow your own creative journey, and trust the process – don’t worry about what anyone else is doing.’
She loves creating her work in the countryside. ‘[It’s] a great place to create artwork,’ she says. ‘We are so lucky to live in such a peaceful unspoilt part of the country where it is so easy to get to beautiful scenery. I’m hoping to carry on creating artwork inspired by the farm around me, and bring out more products which can take my artwork into people’s homes.’
We’re excited to see what Lauren will bring to Living North’s Christmas Fair this year. ‘You can expect new original paintings and prints, 2025 calendars, homewares and eco-friendly plantable Christmas cards,’ she reveals.
Could you pick a favourite piece of work you’ve created?
Picking a favourite piece of my own work is pretty tricky, but I think the While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks painting I did for my 2022 Christmas card range would be up there. It features our two dogs watching over the sheep on a winter’s night looking up at the stars.
Is there an item you couldn’t live without?
I think the item I couldn’t live without would probably be my dog, if that counts! He keeps me motivated, gives me inspiration and always gets me out and about exploring new places making me want to create new work.
Is there a Northern gallery you love?
Yes! I really love Allendale Forge Studios & Gallery. They always have such a great range of local artists and exhibitions and the gallery has such a friendly atmosphere.
Is there an artist who inspires you?
An artist who really inspires me is Sue Fenlon, who is also exhibiting at Living North’s Christmas Fair. I love the textures and colours throughout Sue’s work and the reflection of the seasons in the landscapes.
