Lauren Williams auctions a pair of mini tapestries on The Fiber Studio!
Last month I launched the first of The Fiber Studio summer auctions with embroidery artist Emily Botelho of Salt Stitches. The Instagram auction was a huge success and Emily has kindly donated all of her profit to charity.
This month, the second fibre art auction comes from an artist who I have been crushing on for years. Lauren Williams’ Canvas With Movement tapestries are the embodiment of contemporary bohemian style. These large scale tapestries are earthy and atmospheric with rich hues that conjure images of dramatic seascapes and moody sunsets.
Since Lauren started her fibre art journey in 2014, she has attracted a huge base of collectors. Lauren’s tapestries are in homes, restaurants, hotels and event spaces by top interior designers around the world.
The tapestries on auction are a pair of mini wall hangings from the Lauren Williams Canvas With Movement® tapestry collection.
Lauren created the pair ‘Shades of Blue’ (pictured directly above) using hundreds of her signature wool strands suspended from walnut wood. The design incorporates various shades of blue-grey and navy charcoal for a sophisticated, contemporary feel. Each mini measures 12″ across and hangs approximately 36” long.
The opening bid price for this unique pair is £160. If you’ve been lusting after a Lauren Williams Canvas with Movement tapestry (like I have!) then this is your chance to own an original!
Bidding starts of FRIDAY 19TH JULY AT 7 PM GMT.
The auction is open for two whole days, ending at 7 pm GMT on Sunday 21st July.
Scroll down to the end of this post for more info about how to bid in the auction.
Lauren has kindly taken the time to answer some questions about her studio practice. Below she discusses her process, branding, and sustainable approach to fibre art.
How would you describe your fibre art?
I like to think of my tapestries as a canvas but with movement. I suspend hundreds of individual wool strands and use dyes and paints to create different designs.
From the way the fibers hang to the amount of dye each strand decides to absorb, my art is never the same and always unique. I start with a vision, but as I work, the direction changes based on the natural fiber’s reaction to the paints and dyes. My form of art demands cooperation. Although I begin with a plan, the fibers have a mind of their own. I can fight it, or I can cooperate. The more freedom I give each tapestry to come alive, the more beautiful the result is. Over the years of creating my Canvas With Movement® fiber art, I have grown to love the process of letting go and watching something beautiful develop in my hands. I would describe my work as a bold statement piece, but with an organic and peaceful approach.
What does your artistic practice look like – from inspiration to creation.
I’m inspired by nature and the unexpected color combinations seen when you pay close attention to the details in plants, rocks, skylines and landscapes. I’m equally inspired by blank walls. I love approaching a blank wall in a well-designed space and envision the perfect piece to complement the interior design. I love working with Interior Designers to bring their designs full circle by creating the perfect piece of art for the space. The idea that I have in my mind is often transformed into a different design due to the nature of the art. From the way the fibers hang to the amount of dye each strand absorbs, each and every piece is unique no matter what my initial vision is for the piece.
Before your canvases with movement, you were a painter – can you tell us about this transition from painting to fibre art?
I was never formally trained but I’ve always loved to paint and create pieces for my own home. I wanted an alternative to canvas art for my home and the blank wall in my dining room was screaming for texture and dimension. This inspired me to create a sort of sculpture for my wall using fibers, dyes and paints.
Painting is still important to me as an artist. I will paint canvases on the days I launch my tapestry collections as a stress reliever. I am in love with painting and how it makes me feel when my brush touches the canvas. It’s the same for me when I’m “painting” my tapestries with dye. It’s less of a transition from painter to fiber artist, and more expanding my medium and challenging my techniques.
Textile production is in the spotlight at the moment for it’s negative environmental impact. What sustainability measures do you take to make sure Canvas With Movement range is not harming the planet?
I have always been committed to sound animal husbandry and sustainable agricultural practices, so I partnered with a small, eco-friendly ranch operation in Wyoming. The sheep are handled with care and raised the way I believe nature intended: on lush, green pastures, with plenty of clear, clean water. The rancher’s dedication to the land and the lambs they raise guarantees that my custom fibers are among the purest in the world.
The wool is then sent directly to a local mill that I work with to customize my Canvas With Movement ® yarn. From decisions related to scouring, carding, pin-drafting, combing and ply, the result is a yarn that provides for the deepest saturation, impeccable texture and highest quality, that can withstand the weight of the dye without fraying or thinning during my process. My decision to use this mill was based on their dedication to eco-friendly operations and their requirement to partner with an animal-friendly ranch operation.
What has been the high point of your career as an artist so far?
It was such an honor to be named one of Interior Design Magazine’s “5 Artists Redefining Classic Techniques and Materials” from around the world and recognized for my original designs. Last year I was commissioned to create over 140 tapestries for each guest room in a Seattle boutique Kimpton hotel.
What would be your dream commission?
I’ve created hundreds of commissioned pieces for restaurants, hotels and beautiful homes around the world but my dream commission would be to create a piece for my own home. We have been renting houses for ten years and are finally taking the next steps to buy our first home. To be able to create a tapestry for my own wall is my dream.
You get a majority of your sales through Instagram (with 90.8k followers at the time of writing!) – what advice would you give to other artists trying to crack the social media platform?
I recently experienced a plateau on Instagram follower growth which made me question all of the things I was doing. I started trying new things like using all of the tools that Instagram has for their stories (location, time, temperature, GIFs, stickers, etc.), as well as posting to IGTV. In the process of using all of these tools, I seem to be featured on the discover page more frequently. As a result, I have started to see an increase in followers again.
As an artist, my best advice is to be genuine about what you decide to share. From daily IG stories and talking to the camera, to peeks into the studio while working, people respond to authenticity and love connecting with the person behind the art. I really appreciate the control I have in sharing images of my artwork on Instagram. Staging my art for photos allows me the ability to showcase exactly how I intended my work to be incorporated into interiors. I feel that has been one of the best ways to make sure my artwork is represented exactly the way I envisioned. Using these Instagram methods to grow my client base has made all the difference!
Instagram recently announced its potential plan to remove the total number of likes from photos and videos to encourage healthier user engagement with the app. What’s your opinion on social media in relation to mental health?
We experience a range of emotions every time we open the Instagram app. I’ve often described this experience as an “emotional roller coaster” to my followers on Instagram. We subject ourselves to this rollercoaster of emotions multiple times throughout the day. While Instagram is an amazing platform, especially for small businesses and artists like myself, it’s dangerous when not managed correctly. When I start to feel myself becoming too attached to the likes or follower count, I will delete the app off my phone for at least three days. I can immediately feel myself finding focus again and realigning my priorities. This is something I started doing last year and find it to be a very healthy and beneficial mental and emotional break.
Your branding and styling are gorgeous – do you do this all yourself or do you hire someone?
I do it all myself! When I first started creating my Canvas With Movement ® fiber art, I wanted to make sure people understood the size of the artwork. To do this, I knew staging my art in my own home would be the best way to showcase my art. I have grown over the years to understand more about lighting, photography and staging. It is a whole other artist outlet for me that I really enjoy.
HOW THE AUCTION WORKS
THE AUCTION WILL TAKE PLACE OVER ONE WEEKEND, STARTING ON FRIDAY 19TH JULY AT 7 PM GMT. ENDING ON SUNDAY 21ST JULY AT 7 PM GMT.
To participate in the auction follow The Fiber Studio on Instagram here. You must cast your bid in the comments section of the auction Instagram post.
The auction will close at the exact time stated above, please don’t bid after 7pm.
Postage to the US is £24, outside the US is £120.
Payment will be due via PayPal or bank transfer.
Details
You must bid in British Pound Sterling only.
You must bid in multiples of pounds, no pennies please!
Only bids in the auction post’s comment section will count. Neither the Fiber Studio, not the artist, will accept bids made outside this space.
The Fiber Studio does not take any responsibly for the artwork after the auction has ended. This includes loss and damage. Once payment has cleared, I will send contact details of the buyer to the artist. The artist is responsible for any correspondence thereafter.
For more Canvas With Movement tapestries by Lauren Williams, head to her website.
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