Meet Lauren Lavitt

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

Hi Lauren, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I’m a morning person, so my creativity is unfortunately slowly peaking while making breakfast and taking lunch requests from two kids and then getting everyone dressed and out the door. Somehow, in that swirl, I can find pockets of time to connect with my art. On days when things feel off, I put on some dance music and like magic I’m in a better place.

Before motherhood, my creative life was more singular. I could follow every single impulse without interruption. Now, the balance is messier but fuller, deeper. My studio is my home, and my materials live alongside lunchboxes, laundry, homework, and the endless loop of daily life. It’s chaotic, exhausting, and incredibly fertile. I’m grateful to have these roles. I’m also grateful for a bathroom that has a working lock, and for long walks.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m at an exciting point in my career. My solo exhibition, Vessels, Flowers, and Toilets, is currently on view at Alto Beta Gallery. It’s a deeply meaningful show not only because it’s been a while since my last solo, but because it marks the reopening of Alto Beta’s new permanent space after the previous gallery was lost in the Altadena fires.

My work is grounded in daily observation and the act of making. I move between mediums–ceramics, painting, video, drawing, photography–to create a world where the domestic meets the uncanny, and the everyday slips into the surreal. My pieces often reflect personal history, emotional memory, experimentation, and the joy of expression. I aim to create work that holds quiet power and invites reflection. What sets my work apart is that emotional core, which goes back to my childhood in my family’s flower shop. I grew up surrounded by cut stems, wet foam bricks, and scattered petals all immersed in life’s big moments: births, weddings, losses, celebrations. I saw how flowers could say something words couldn’t. That deep, sensory connection between material and emotion is part of the foundation of my practice.

The path to where I am now hasn’t always been smooth. In high school, my ceramics teacher recognized my passion and gave me room to explore. But at the same time, my painting teacher wouldn’t let me into AP Art. That rejection cut deep. I was fifteen and completely invested in my art. But it taught me something that’s stuck: not everyone will see you or care. You have to keep working anyway. Rejection pushed me to trust myself and stay close to the process. That persistence led me to an MFA at UCLA, where I studied with artists I had long admired—John Baldessari, Chris Burden, Paul McCarthy, Al Ruppersberg. They championed risk and experimentation, and their influence continues to shape the way I approach my work today.

Now, I’m an artist, a mother, a partner, and a professor—roles that constantly overlap and inform one another. At the center of everything is still that early lesson from the flower shop: that there’s meaning to be found in the quiet, in the handmade, in the ordinary and extraordinary moments that make up a life.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
LA is home, so here’s one short list:

Though I wouldn’t base myself in Hollywood, I still think you should start there—grab a drink at Musso & Frank to immerse yourself in the classic LA vibe. Mozza is still a must for dinner, and Clark Street Diner works for any meal.

Go to Erewhon, but skip the wildly expensive smoothies. Instead, grab a baguette and some egg salad from their to-go section, toss in a cucumber and some berries—but maybe not the $20 Harry’s Berries (though yes, they are delicious… or were, when they were $12), and head east to Barnsdall Art Park—perfect for a picnic. While you’re there, tour Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House and check out the Art Gallery. Consider a hike to Griffith Park Observatory, with an obligatory stop at Trails Cafe for coffee and a snack before heading out. And maybe get a used copy of Secret Stairs by Charles Fleming and do walk #29, which is a must for lovers of architecture and all things Los Angeles.

Spend a day or two in Northeast LA, where I live, and where the creative energy of the city still feels strong. Dunsmoor is the place for a high end dinner–warm and rustic, with excellent food. Or grab a sandwich from Bub and Grandma’s then take it next door to Solarc Brewing, where you’re likely to run into some wild improvisational music from local artists. Belle’s Bagels for brunch (the matzo ball soup is excellent), Scoops for ice cream, and a stroll down York in Highland Park? Yes, please. With the family, Bob Baker Marionette Theater is a must. If there’s time, catch a film at Vidiots or the Vista Theatre.

Want a local getaway? Spend a night or two at Two Bunch Palms in Desert Hot Springs and do a day trip to Joshua Tree. If you’re a serious hiker, Cactus to Clouds is a beast. If not, take the tram and spare yourself the heatstroke.

Ojai is another favorite overnighter. I love The Farmer and The Cook. If you’re into hot springs and backpacking, Sespe Hot Springs is a 17-mile out-and-back trek—give yourself at least two days. The trailhead is about a 30-minute drive from Ojai. Or skip the blisters and just get a glorious massage in town.

I could go on forever. DM me for the full list.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First, rejection! It’s been a quiet teacher in my life.

I’m constantly inspired by fellow artists, writers, filmmakers, and I love watching athletes train! I’m inspired by people who are authentic, show up, and do the work. Lately, James Murphy’s lyrics are on my mind, while Emimin’s “Lose Yourself” and The Beastie Boy’s “Fight for Your Right” are always playing somewhere in my brain. I do believe you have to fight for your right to party, but it’s essential for one to figure out what “party” is to them. For me, it’s to make art. In the end, support from my friends and family lifts me, but rejection has shaped me so, both are part of the story.

Website: https://LaurenLavitt.com

Instagram: @Lauren_Lavitt

Image Credits
Three Gallery Installation shots taken by : Ruben Diaz @docu_la

Single artwork shots taken by me, Lauren Lavitt @Lauren_Lavitt

Portrait of me taken by: Eric Hanson @ericbhanson