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

Hi Lauren, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
When I was younger I found risk taking terrifying. The idea of working for myself and not having a 9-5 job, not knowing where my money was going to come from was a non-starter. I specifically remember speaking to a self employed graphic designer I was dating in my early twenties and said out loud, “I could never do that.” It took my body and mind completely revolting against itself in the form of panic attacks every time I went to the office to make the much needed change, and though instability is still something I think about and deal with as it comes I do believe taking a leap of faith and following my passions was the best move for me. I am now in my mid-thirties, that 9-5 is 8 years behind me and I’ve been able to live independently as a self-employed woman and artist in one of the most amazing cities this world has to offer; and I am much happier for it. I owe that to trusting my gut, making sacrifices and taking a risk.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a multidisciplinary artist my work spans across many mediums including collage art, costume design, film making, and fashion design. To date I have worked with the likes of Playboy and the LA Times and have shown work in places across the Bay Area and Los Angeles. Even still I consider myself an emerging artist and with that comes its own challenges. Locking down a cohesive “brand” is one I struggle with and work against. I don’t like to pigeon hole myself yet know I need to capture an audience that is aligned with my vision. But which one!? Yes I love western wear, but I also want to make corsets, and sheer two-piece nods to the early aughts. I make indie art erotic films, and am also great costuming plays for young audiences! I guess all I am trying to say is that I am still figuring it out, that I am proud of all the work that I do, and I am grateful to the communities and individuals who have supported my journey along the way and look forward to whats next.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh! Well I am a bit of a creature of habit and an avid fan of my neighborhood Echo Park so first and foremost we would drop the bags off and do a little stroll around the lake. I would wait patiently for my favorite spot The Semi Tropic to open and take you there for yummy cocktails and snacks and then depending on the night, hopefully check out Stud Country at Club Bahia for some queer country line dancing.

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?
I want to shout out Antone Martinez and Chris Holloway of the organization Failed Films. These two brought me into this amazing, uninhibited, nurturing, creative environment and gave me a voice and platform not only to show my work alongside incredible queer and fringe artists but also to produce the event itself and give back to our communities. I feel incredibly honored year after year to work along side these two, and my art and self-worth has blossomed with their support and guidance.

Website: lauren-west.com

Instagram: elleuu

Other: instagram for collage: @elle.uuest instagram for clothing: @faroutwest_ instagram for Failed Films (producer): @failedfilmsfest

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