Meet Lauren Nelson

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

Hi Lauren, what do you attribute your success to?
Convenience: While most people appreciate art, they also lack the time or interest to engage in the creative process themselves. Recognizing this challenge, I’ve worked to make my brand accessible to students who are often overwhelmed with heavy workloads. While my initial focus was on only students, I quickly realized that the demand for custom and affordable artwork was much higher than I had anticipated. Investing in personalized art pieces offers a unique and unforgettable gift for the special people in your life, whether it’s for a birthday, holiday, or celebration.

I discovered that busy parents, for example, are frequently looking for meaningful and memorable artwork to enhance events, give as gifts, or add to their home decor, but they simply don’t have the time to create it themselves. Custom creations such as Grad Caps, event banners, and personalized paintings elevate any occasion, making them truly special.

By prioritizing both convenience and accessibility, I am working to ensure that art remains an enjoyable and stress-free experience for people with demanding schedules. Whether it’s a student seeking the perfect gift for their favorite teacher teacher without the time commitment, or a parent looking for a unique gift or home decoration, my goal is to provide custom art that fits seamlessly into busy lives.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I specialize in a variety of custom artwork, including house paintings, grad caps, event banners, nails, and custom paintings. What sets me apart is my ability to blend creativity and practicality, I enjoy the logistical side of organizing business. Whether it’s a hand-painted grad cap that reflects someone’s personality or custom nails that complete the perfect look for a school dance, I focus on making each piece a unique reflection of my client’s vision. Balancing school, work, and the pressure of learning the business side of things can be intimidating, but worth it. I had to find my voice and style through trial and error. Overcoming doubts and finding the courage to promote my art was a major hurdle, but every challenge made me more determined.

What helped me push through was the feedback I received from people who loved my work. The satisfaction of seeing people satisfied with my work kept me motivated, and I realized that there was a real demand for personalized, meaningful art. Networking and learning from other artists also played a big part in my growth. Through each obstacle, I learned how to better manage time, communicate with clients, and improve my art.

I want the world to know that my brand is about more than just selling custom art—it’s about building the brand. I’m passionate about helping people celebrate milestones and special moments through personalized art. Every piece is a reflection of the person it’s created for, and that’s what excites me most about what I do. My journey may not have been easy, but every challenge has shaped me into the artist I am today, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would start my ideal day at Summit Coffee with a Mocha latte. After some energy, I would head to Core Power Yoga Sculpt for a seemingly easy workout that will kick your butt and then finish the workout with a walk on the beltline. Then, of course, find a nice spot on the beltline to read a book: the current read is Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors. For dinner, I would find myself at Fudo Sushi for the best crispy rice and yellowtail roll I could find. Later, head to the fox to see an amazing show under the starlights.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to shoutout my friend Zoe. Starting a business is intimidating, you may feel like a little fish in a big pond. When I first started painting, I painted a photo of my friend Zoe’s house, she hung it up in her living room. Eventually, her aunt, a real estate agent, asked me to paint a photo of a house she had just sold. Sometimes all it takes is a little push from a friend to feel confident enough to jump into a project 100%. I am so grateful for her support to this day and I wouldn’t have had the courage to start selling my artwork if it wasn’t for her.

Instagram: https://lauren.nlsn