LAUREN PHELPS

OIL STUDIES

Studio UpdatesLauren Phelps

Oil painting is one of my favorite mediums. My traditional heirloom portraits are more highly detailed, and I wanted to find a less formal way to utilize my oil paints to capture the beauty of childhood. Thus, oil studies on exposed linen were born! These paintings are created all prima. The dichotomy of the fresh oil painting and the organic texture of the linen on full display is timeless yet modern.

ROBERT | 2022

oil on exposed linen

18 x 24 inches

My background is in fashion, and I wanted to honor the linen fabrication and allow it to have a more prominent place in the artwork. These paintings are looser in style and brushwork and allow even more freedom of expression.

an a la prima oil portrait of a boy on exposed linen

SAM | 2022

oil on exposed linen

18 x 24 inches

This painting of my son is based on a snapshot my husband took at a cafe. I love that it is a real moment caught in time with all of its childish imperfections - his flipped collar, bunched shirt, and ruffled hair. This is childhood.

an oil a la prima portrait on exposed linen of a little girl

MARTHA | 2022

oil on exposed linen

12 x 16 inches

Although my oil waitlist is closed for 2023, I am accepting a select few Oil Study commissions. To reserve, please complete the form here, today.

UPDATED JAN 2023 - OIL STUDIES 2023 SOLD OUT. 2024 LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE.

With Love,

LP

www.laurenphelps.com

MAMA MOMENTS

MusingsLauren Phelps

I’m passionate about moms and celebrate them every day with my work.

There are everyday moments that seem little but are incredibly big to us as mothers. It could be something as small as a look, gesture, or daily ritual. These moments with our children are almost impossible to capture, even with a camera, and live only in our hearts. 

When I decided to transition my career to fine art, I had no idea what my focus would be, but I did know that art was bringing me closer to my bond and memories I shared with my mother. Becoming a mother to my own two boys has brought me full circle in my career, life, and art. 

My limited edition charcoal sketches were born out of these experiences. I hope that I may create something that resembles the emotion and energy of these moments and the love of this bond. 

Because we can all use more beauty and joy, I am sharing #biglittlemoments from some of my favorite mamas.

Elizabeth Damrich / Interior Designer and Creative Director / Mother to Gigi

Elizabeth Damrich / Interior Designer and Creative Director / Mother to Gigi

Julia Berolzheimer / www.juliaberolzheimer.com / Mama to Clementine

Julia Berolzheimer / www.juliaberolzheimer.com / Mama to Clementine

Hunter Bell / www.hunterbellnyc.com / Mama

Hunter Bell / www.hunterbellnyc.com / Mama

Annabelle Moehlmann / www.landofbebe.com / Mama to Clementine

Annabelle Moehlmann / www.landofbebe.com / Mama to Clementine

Maddie Hughes / http://www.maddiehughesdesigns.com/ / Mama to Harry

Maddie Hughes / http://www.maddiehughesdesigns.com/ / Mama to Harry

Renee Bouchon / www.reneebouchon.com / Mama to George

Renee Bouchon / www.reneebouchon.com / Mama to George

Emily Hertz / bornonfifth.com / Mama to Elle and Jennings

Emily Hertz / bornonfifth.com / Mama to Elle and Jennings

Chaffee Braithwaite Heilman / www.babybraithwaite.com / Mama

Chaffee Braithwaite Heilman / www.babybraithwaite.com / Mama

FATHER + CHILD SKETCHES

Studio UpdatesLauren Phelps

Dear Friends,

Father’s Day is Sunday, June 21. For a limited time, I am offering the option to commission Father + Child charcoal study sketches for all of the special fathers and grandfathers in our lives. These sketches will be an heirloom quality gift to be enjoyed for many generations. For these commissions, I work from client provided photographs. These photos may be professional or snapshots, but should feel candid and intimate. My parent and child studies are loose, expressionistic artworks capturing the bond of parent and child. To inquire or join my waitlist, please email lp@laurenphelps.com no later than May 1, 2020.

Love,

LP

Blake and Lola, 2020. loose charcoal sketch of a father and young daughter

Blake and Lola, 2020

BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK

Studio UpdatesLauren Phelps

Dear friends,

Our worlds have changed a great deal in the last few weeks. I am now reopening the option to place orders for parent and child study sketches and giving 25% of the proceeds to Blessings in a Backpack in an effort to help children no longer receiving school meals.

While we are working to protect and nurture our children at home, they continue to show us that even the most tragic and uncertain times are full of moments of magic and love. I am so thankful to continue to preserve these big little moments for your families to enjoy for generations to come.

To add your name to my waitlist, please email me directly at lp@laurenphelps.com before April 24, 2020.

Love,

LP

a loose charcoal sketch of a mother and her two children

https://www.blessingsinabackpack.org/ways-to-donate/

PARENT + CHILD STUDIES

Studio UpdatesLauren Phelps

Dear friends,

Thank you for your kind reaction to my “big little moments” sketchbook practice. I will offer the option to commission these study sketches for a limited time. The commissioned versions are graphite, charcoal and pastel on archival cotton paper. They are loose, intimate and expressionistic studies of the bond of parent and child. To join the waitlist, please submit your request to studio@laurenphelps.com by February 28, 2020.

Love,

LP

CHARCOAL PORTRAITS

Studio UpdatesLauren Phelps

Dear Friends,

I am introducing the option to commission charcoal portraits. I have always enjoyed a limited color palettes and monochromatic artwork, so it’s no surprise that I have fallen in love with charcoal. I can work from client provided photos (snapshots are welcome upon approval) or you may schedule a sitting with me at my New York City studio. Charcoals are more accessible than oil portraits, but have the same capability of being long time family heirlooms when professionally framed and protected. If you would like to be added to my waitlist, please email studio@laurenphelps.com for more information.

Love,

LP

The Williams Siblings, 2020

The Williams Siblings, 2020

BIG LITTLE MOMENTS

Studio UpdatesLauren Phelps

Dear friends,

As I welcome the new year, I am excited to share that I have added a sketchbook practice to my daily agenda. I am taking part in the Brooklyn Art Library’s Tiny Sketchbook project, and my contribution will be part of a traveling library of sketchbooks.

Titled “Big Little Moments,” my sketchbook project is inspired by our biggest little moments as parents and is a celebration of mother and child. Now that nearly 100% of my time is spent on client commissions, this has been a very special place for me to complete quick studies full of intimacy and emotion. I have also used this as an opportunity to experiment with new materials and work freely without restrictions.

It has been the most joyful experience of storytelling and creative expression. I am thrilled to share some of my tiny pages with you here.

Love,

LP

https://brooklynartlibrary.org/tinysketchbook

INTRODUCTION

Musings, Studio UpdatesLauren Phelps

Dear friends old and new,

Thank you for visiting my virtual home. I began this creative journey two years ago, shortly after the birth of my son. I was working as the COO at Brandon Maxwell after many years of owning my own fashion label. While pregnant, I began to feel a yearning for more creative expression and made the emotional decision to retire from the fashion industry and leave my work family. I had no idea what was to come, but I knew I was on the right path.

I began creating art with my mother as a child. Painting and drawing with my mom account for most of my early memories. When I was 28, I lost my then 48 year old mother to brain cancer. It was devastating, but it has led me down a path of love and gratitude. Now, my life’s work is inspired by this bond and I spend each day celebrating loving parents and their children with my art.

With each artwork, I am seeking to capture not only the emotion of a moment but the soul of each subject. If you are interested in collaborating with me, you may contact me here.

Thank you for trusting me with your most special memories.

Love,

LP

OIL STUDIES ON PAPER

Studio UpdatesLauren Phelps

Dear Friends,

I am currently offering the option for oil portrait studies on paper. I love creating these expressive little gem portraits. They are heirloom quality oil portraits on archival paper. When professionally framed, they will remain intact for countless generations to enjoy. For these studies, I work with your provided photos, which can be professional or your own snapshots. For more information, or to add your name to our waitlist, please email studio@laurenphelps.com

Love,

LP