Meet This Rhode Island Artist Who's Part Of The Ohanga Pop Up At Garden City

Hello there! My name is Jillian Lauren. I am a Rhode Island based artist with a focus in portraiture.

Each portrait I create is done with a combination of acrylic paint, pearlized mediums, and a special process I created that manifests in a color shifting painting. My idea is to create a multi-faceted collaborative experience with the viewer: Through the use of the glitter and shine, I try to forge a veil for my subjects that they can pull back and understand the subject in their own ways, thus replicating the para social relationship of beauty and public.

I found my start in art back in elementary school when I was first introduced to cave drawings. I was so excited to use non pencil materials, and more importantly imagine what it would have been like to be a caveperson creating these drawings. From this one assignment, a true spark of interest in understanding what I was creating, and the actual act of creation, was born. As I grew older, I was exposed to artists like Gustav Klimt and Alphonse Mucha as well as WWII advertisements and knew I wanted to be a professional artist and help paint the world in a way where everyone feels seen.

Following a short break after high school, I began pursuing this career now going on four years. I have had the privilege of showing my work in Tribeca, New York, Boston, Massachusetts, Attleboro Museum of Art, and multiple venues throughout Rhode Island to name a few. Having been accepted as an Artist Professional for the Providence Art Club was also absolutely one of my biggest accomplishments so far.

But, if I’m being honest, the most exciting and rewarding thing thus far was being recognized by a young girl at the Wickford Art Festival. Unbenounced to me, she had been following my Instagram for the past year or so at that time and began drawing portraits when she saw my work. She came up to me at the festival and asked for my autograph. I felt like a celebrity for a moment, but also a wave of responsibility and pride. This interaction was a reminder that you never know who you will impact, so despite the tough months, as an artist it is our responsibility to stay on course and create.

For More About The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, Go To RWPZoo.Org/JOLS.

 Now that fall is here, I really enjoy sitting at Goddard Park in the beach section looking at the leaves change colors. Second to this is the Roger Williams’ Jack-O-Lantern event. Riff Raff and Persimmon are two of my favorite places to drink and eat. For shopping, Ohanga is my number one place to get beautifully crafted items that are locally made. 

For More About Persimmon, Go To PersimmonRI.com.

Ohanga has been such an amazing collaboration. While the art world has shown to be friendly, it is also incredibly competitive. Ohanga really follows through in the best meaning of their name, forming a supportive, creative, and home-like environment for artists like myself to thrive in.

Photo Courtesy Of The Ohanga Together Instagram

Combining this with the hustle and bustle of Garden City Center, I couldn’t be more grateful to take part in this opportunity. (The Ohanga Pop-Up at Garden City opened officially on Sept. 15th.)

In the near future, you’ll see my artwork in a few local museums, wrapped around a beer, and hanging in multiple venues, to include Ohanga, Providence Art Club, Artist Cooperative Gallery of Westerly, The Collaborative (Warren), Holiday Show for Finer Furnishing Show, Lobster Tree Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce, Salem Art Association, and a solo show to be announced.

For more from Jillian, follow her on Instagram @JillianLauren.Art.

To see more from Ohanga, visit their NEW shop at GCC, also check them out on IG @OhangaTogether.

And shop their online Ohanga Market via Ohanga.com.