Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Lau.
Jen, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I started drawing on subway trains over 10 years ago when I moved to New York City. I had majored in studio art in college but was truly inspired by city life – specifically the moments we are forced to share with each other. When I moved to Chicago two years ago I continued to draw on the train but also found several drawing meet-ups that have inspired me to experiment with new materials, subject matter, and scale.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I draw. I enjoy drawing with pen or ink because it forces me to be more thoughtful with my lines. I started incorporating vintage book pages in my work at first because I loved the layering of print and drawn line but with time I also started to get inspired by the actual words on the page. Cutouts and collage have also been a large part of my process. I like to make work that provokes the viewer without having any specific intended meaning. For me the work is a meditation that starts with drawing and then progresses into layers of drawings or collage. Drawing plays several roles in my life- it’s both an act of record but also a meditative obsession. As long as I end up with something beautiful, I’m happy.
The sterotype of a starving artist scares away many potentially talented artists from pursuing art – any advice or thoughts about how to deal with the financial concerns an aspiring artist might be concerned about?
I’m an artist with a day job and that’s what works for me right now. I enjoy the structure it adds to my day and the money helps too. Focusing on my artwork has actually been a real challenge for me which is why I have had to find other ways to really give myself the time to make work. I started attending figure drawing meet-ups through Anysquared and Platform along with other art-making meet-ups like Anysquared Studio Night, CCC_Chicago’s Artist’s Block, and Atomic Sketch. I was never much of a social artist and I’ve found that I actually really enjoy it.
As far as money goes, I first started using found materials in high school and college. I loved the idea of using materials with a history. Art-making doesn’t have to be expensive. There are artists out there making beautiful work with Bic pens and drugstore notebooks. All that really matters is that you enjoy making the work. Once that is established you can sell your work on any online platform or even cafes/bars for little to no cost. It just takes time and effort.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I have shown at Cole’s bar as well as Bucktown Gallery – I’m also a regular at Atomic Sketch at Green Eye Lounge. When I’m not showing work, you can check out my website: www.duckanddogco.com where I also sell hand-cut greeting cards and illustration commissions. My etsy handle is @duckanddog. If you’re interested in checking out my visual diary you can see it now on Instagram @duckanddogco.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.duckanddogco.com
- Phone: 2483308788
- Email: info@duckanddogco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/duckanddogco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/duckandog/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/duckanddogco
- Other: https://cargocollective.com/littlejdawg
Image Credit:
Jen Lau
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
