Artist of the Month - @laurenmarxart

There's something hauntingly beautiful about the world of Lauren Marx. Life meets death, nature meets the supernatural, and beauty turns up in the places you'd least expect it.

Lauren is an illustrator based in St. Louis, Missouri. She works in pen, ink, and watercolor, and her inspiration comes from the natural world, medieval bestiaries, Renaissance religious art, and the thin line between life and decay. Her work is full of symbolism, unsettling in the best way, and packed with details that reward a closer look.

For November's Artist of the Month, we're stepping into Lauren's wonderfully macabre universe. We talk about the stories behind her art, what inspires it, and how her illustrations find new life as custom stickers.

StickerApp: Hi, Lauren, and congrats on being our Artist of the Month for November! Tell us a bit about yourself: who is Lauren Marx, and what are some of your biggest dreams in life?

Lauren: Hi there, and thank you so much! My name is Lauren Marx, and I am a traditional artist living in St. Louis, Missouri. My art focuses on flora and fauna in a blend of watercolor, pen, colored pencil, and other drawing mediums. My biggest dream is to grow a beautiful native garden when I get my hands on a cool home. Kind of random, but the architecture here is stunning!

StickerApp: Sounds amazing! Tell us about your creative journey. How did it begin?

Lauren: I’m not sure exactly when my creative journey began. Ever since I was little, I was constantly drawing animals, especially horses, dragons, and dinosaurs! I was always making something and never had any interest in doing anything else.

StickerApp: Love this! Is there a pivotal moment in your career that changed everything?

Lauren: Oh yes! Way back in 2012, I spent a couple of months making a handful of pieces in the style I work in now, for fun. I put them up on DeviantArt, and suddenly they were noticed by Juxtapoz Magazine, and they made a little spotlight for them, which I found out about a few days later. Before I even had time to process that achievement, I had galleries and people reaching out. It was insane and put me on the path to where I am now. It’s still surreal.

StickerApp: Wow, how cool is that! What or who drives you forward as an artist and creator? What are your biggest inspirations?

Lauren: The constant urge to create something each day and see people appreciate my work drives me to keep working. Also, my mom's love and support are invaluable.

StickerApp: That's so wholesome. What's your number one piece of advice for those starting their creative journey?

Lauren: Try your best to be kind to yourself. Don’t compare yourself to other artists or social media, or feel guilty if you can’t spend all day every day working on art. The most important thing is to enjoy creating.

StickerApp: How would you define your style, and what are your favorite techniques?

Lauren: I would describe my style as a mix of scientific illustration, folk tales, and symbolism with a tastefully dark twist. I always use a variety of drawing materials, with the primary materials being pen and watercolor. Making all the fine details in each of my pieces is my favorite part of my process. For me, the focus and time it requires are both satisfying and therapeutic.

StickerApp: Cool! Tell us about the design of your November Thank You card. What was your inspiration?

Lauren: My inspiration for my Thank You card is an embrace of the changing seasons. As we lean into the colder months, the plants and animals in the card represent the vibe.

StickerApp: You nailed it! How do you use stickers for your business and personal brand?

Lauren: My stickers are not only a visual representation of the art I make - I use them as a high-quality, affordable option for people to purchase, enjoy, or even collect my art if they’d like to.

StickerApp: Very clever. Why do you choose StickerApp as your sticker partner?

Lauren: StickerApp has been absolutely amazing to work with. They are so kind, helpful, and easy to work with. The quality of their stickers and all the fun options truly can’t be matched. They will always be the sticker company I use.

StickerApp: Oh, thanks, Lauren! Lastly, what are your goals moving forward?

Lauren: Right now, I am the most excited for my 2027 adventure around the country with the “Oddities & Curiosities Expo”. I, of course, bring my stickers with me, and they are such a huge hit. Every one of them!

Thank you so much for chatting with us, Lauren! To keep up with Lauren, head over to her Instagram: @laurenmarxart.