VoyageDallas: Rising Stars

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Rushing.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Born and raised in Beaumont, Texas, photography became my main interest at 11 years old. I use to wake up early for the sunrise and wander my backyard until the sun would set. I focused on all my surroundings and emotions at all times. I was eager to grab a camera and capture all that I was seeing. For the longest time, I believed I visualized life through a cinematic view. I constantly saw film stills in everyone and everything I saw. Now living in Fort Worth, Texas, my craft and love for photography have risen to the ultimate high. Since graduating from The University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, I am in the constant state of mind of creating more.

Due to COVID-19, I lost my job in April of 2020. This pushed me to what I wanted to do from the beginning – teach art. I now am a middle school art teacher! I still am constantly photographing for clients but more so for myself. During the pandemic, I really grew an interest in fibers art! It has been over a year now of playing with yarn and thread, and I am absolutely still drawn to it. I love to create wall pieces for friends & clients. It’s been so fun trying a new medium!

My father passed away in December of 2020. I am still trying to process it all. He was an artist himself and without him, I felt like I had to push harder. Grief is a weird thing but with every embroidery I make and photograph I capture, I find myself thinking more about him. I think it makes me work harder in all aspects of my career.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. Losing my job during COVID, not being able to photograph people at the beginning of the pandemic- was challenging.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in photography! I have been photographing since I was 11 years old. I am most proud of winning an art grant that was given by Fort Works Art for my film photography. I’m known mainly for my self-portraits on Flickr. This was between 2008-2012 that my photos would get the front page or featured on their “explore” page. This was a huge achievement for the photography community. Flickr was my diary. From ages 12-22, I focused a lot of my photography on self-portraiture. It helped me reflect on my emotions and look at subjects in a new light. The most recent medium I have picked up involves fibers. So give me some fabric, a tapestry needle, and thread. I’ll make anything! I mostly enjoy creating wall art pieces for my friends and family. Give me any art or craft supplies, and you’ll fine me making something.

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