Lauren Ericksen is
Everyday Lines
Based out of Naarm and already a staple on so many bodies that tangle throughout the city and its suburbs, the creative mind behind @everyday_lines_ Lauren Ericksen chats to Demure about tattooing, making art and listening to your body. With delicate fine lines and a considered use of space dominating the aesthetic of her work, it feels only fitting that Lauren’s art has found its way to the permanent canvas of people’s bodies.
Lauren reflects on her art, her process, her inspiration, her practice, as well as the importance of rest days and work-life balance. With her work popping up everywhere, from being exhibited on gallery walls to being hung on bedrooms walls, Lauren’s art experiments with the imagery of bodies and all of their crooks and their crannies – she picks up on the intimate intricacies that so often go unseen. It’s no wonder, then, that Lauren’s work has already found its way onto so many people’s bodies (me included!), in the form of tough stickers, as Lauren calls them.
Hey Lauren! How are you? Can you tell me a little about the space you’re speaking to me from?
Well today I’m actually working from home, replying to emails from the comfort of bed with my companion Paul (doggo) by my side. Days like this are nice and slow-paced, ticking off the to-do list & setting up for the days ahead. Lately, I’ve been alternating tattoo days with rest days, giving my mind and body a break. I’m constantly reflecting on my work-life balance, a juggle for a self-employed creative.
Your tattoos @everyday_lines_ already feel like a staple on the arms and bodies around Naarm. Tell us a little bit about how you got into tattooing!
It’s funny to think about but I never set out to be a tattooer. It’s been sort of a natural progression, from friends getting my drawings tattooed to buying my first kit early lockdown as a hobby. I consumed all the tattooing content I could, tattooed some oranges, then myself and some trusting friends. I didn’t really start tattooing until I got my first art studio in January last year, I posted some flash sheets and started booking in people from the internet. I remember being so nervous that strangers trusted me to permanently draw on them. It’s been such a wild journey and I’m still so amazed and honoured to get to tattoo and make art full-time.
Your visual art of delicate fine lines and considered use of space gives the impression that your tattooing is an extension of this art practice. How does the process of painting differ from the craft of tattooing for you?
My art practice stripped back is all about the lines. From the chaos of continuous lines and blind contour drawing to drawing an image over and over until it’s just essential lines. This is the same process I have for designing tattoos and painting. Both practices very much feed into each other, often sharing similar themes and imagery. When I paint, there are more elements of spontaneity, layering of mediums and general chaos. I think of tattooing as just another canvas for me to draw on, but the process is more calm and collaborative.
As The studio that you work from at Honey Bones Gallery feels like a homely little community of other artists. What’s the importance of being around other creatives for you? Is your work something that you thrive best in when you’re soundtracked by the humdrum of other artists or are you also able to tuck yourself away for solo practice?
I love my space at Honey Bones, it’s my first studio and there is so much freedom and community there. With such a varied mix of creatives, it’s so cool to be surrounded by people and their passions. It’s great to pop your head into other studios and see what everyone's up to, sharing ideas and supporting each other. But when it comes to creating I like to be in my space, set the vibe, light a candle, make tea, put some music on and find that flow with whatever I’m working on.
Late last year some of your work was on display at Honey Bones Gallery in Brunswick in an exhibition called ‘A Meeting of Bodies’. What was that experience like of developing a collection of works for public presentation?
Last year was a lot of firsts, first studio, first-year tattooing, and first whole gallery solo exhibition. Honey Bones approached me earlier that year about putting on a show, we set a date for November and that was that. I spent a lot of time thinking about what I wanted the show to be about, it wasn’t until I took time off with the exhibition date approaching that I realised I was exhausted. Too much hustle, not enough rest. Bam! The idea for my show, the importance of slowing down and being in your body - accepting it how it is and looking after it! I teamed up with friend and photographer Maki LeVine, the amazing Zane from Ours Fitzroy to shoot in their lush apartment space, and a team of willing friends to get nude. With these images, I created a collection of paintings that became ‘A Meeting of Bodies’. I felt so passionately about the concept that I didn’t think that it would be my nudes up on the wall until I was hanging the portraits days out from opening - boobs staring me in the face. It was at that moment I was like ‘fuck it’, looking back I couldn’t be more proud of that show.
Where does your inspiration come from? Are there some artists or designers that you especially admire?
My inspiration comes from everyday moments, I like bringing attention to the mundane. It’s all of those small moments that make up our lives, I love that. Artist-wise there are so many! Instagram has been such a tool for finding amazing artists, I use my art account like Pinterest - following other creative accounts that I enjoy, so whenever I’m scrolling it’s full of inspiration. A few of my inspo accounts at the moment - @australian.artists, @im_na_naina, @ramesh_mario @shagey_ And for tattoo - @____e_d_e_n____, @perfectangeltattoo, @oxalis_______, @howlinhands.
The places you work seem to vary from northside studios to backyard open air tables. Do you have a favourite place that you like to make art from?
I do like painting from my studio, as it’s so cosy and has all of my art supplies there. Recently I packed up my gear and painted from the family farm for a week, that’s probably a new favourite. Setting up a table outside in the sun and watching the farm animals stroll by was pretty nice. I would love to do more murals this year, painting on location is really fun. (If you have a wall - reach out hehe)
And what about when it comes to tattooing? Is there a favourite spot on someone’s body that you most enjoy working on / you think looks the coolest?
I love tattooing from my private studio space in Brunswick, I have a whole ritual of lighting a candle, popping a playlist on and setting the space to be super calming. This week I have my first guest spot at the new @heartstrings_studio in Fitzroy, I’m looking forward to the change up and tattooing alongside other artists. As for my favourite placement, I love working with the body’s spots and curves - when you find that little nook that’s the perfect spot or makes the person feel more confident.
Thanks so much for chatting with me Lauren! Is there any upcoming work or links to things you want to share with readers?
I’m a part of a group show called ‘The Night We Met’ opening April 13th at Honey Bones Gallery! Running until 23rd. I’ve got an upcoming project with my studio pal & fellow tattooer @wacky_mag, we aren’t quite ready to promote but she’s worth a follow! If you like what I’m doing and want to support me, you can follow along via socials @everyday_lines_, book in for a tough sticker (aka tattoo) or pop some art on your walls, art prints - https://www.laurenericksen.com /
Or some original artworks stocked at Ours Fitzroy, 248 Johnston St or online - https://oursfitzroy.com/collections/everyday-lines / That’s about it - Thanks for reading!
