Today we’d like to introduce you to Lara Orr.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I feel like I have three major chapters in my story. First, I started exploring art as an elementary student with a unique program offered through the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. I would spend my Saturdays working with graduate students that would offer the world of materials to use and work with. That was the first time I really realized that I enjoyed making things and working with color. Second, I decided to transfer into the school of Art and Design as a second semester freshman at Washington University in St. Lous. This was a pivotal decision to commit to an art degree and really dig into the creative sphere of study and graduated with a Degree in Fashion Design. Third, after many years working in various industries, I launched my own textile design business with a focus on block-printing, sustainability, and one of a kind home goods. Same Street Textiles & Scrap Yard came into focus three years ago with the encouragement of my two young sons and spouse.
Please tell us about your art.
I mainly work with sustainably milled textiles like organic cottons, linen, hemp, or flax to use as the background for my block prints. I like to use bold organic and abstract shapes and combinations of those shapes to construct my pieces. I also work with water-based textile inks to custom mix colors to print with based on seasons, current events, and my personal taste. All of my prints hopefully become a needed addition into someone’s living space like a pillow, napkin, tea towel, coaster, or bandana. I work to provide accessible, environmentally friendly, one of a kind, usable art pieces.
Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
My art has seasons and I do my best to let my work rest when rest is needed and work extra hard when I can. It’s also important to have a support team to cheer when you are spent. It’s hard making things that others can judge. For me making work functions as a form of communication and I have been able to reach so many people that I would have never meet otherwise.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I currently sell my work at pop up shows around the Champaign Urbana area. My next big events will be the Matsuri festival hosted by the Japan House at UIUC on September 9th and the MADE fest in Champaign on September 28th and 29th. I also do custom orders. However, my biggest digital footprint is on Instagram @Samestreetstudio
Contact Info:
- Address: 807 E Oregon St. Urbana IL
61801 - Website: www.samestreetstudio.com
- Phone: 217-493-6358
- Email: contact@samestreetstudio.com
- Instagram: samestreetstudio
Image Credit:
Lara Orr
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