Recently I was granted the privilege of sharing my dear friend Lauren’s work via my blog. I was ecstatic upon being told that I would have free range of her art collection, and also that I would be allowed to select my favorite items to publicize. If any of you knew Lauren, you would know that her modesty has prevented me from doing this for some time. But, on the dawn of ArtPrize here in Grand Rapids, I finally prevailed.
Lauren and I met at the tail end of college in one of our favorite professor’s classes. Austin Bunn, who has since moved on to Cornell and screenwriting for the big leagues, paired us together in an editing group. After a passionate discussion of Anne Desclos’ novel The Story of O and an even more animated exchange about Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life (which had inspired my piece that was currently being critiqued in class), we became fast friends.
Lauren has supported me throughout the years in ways I never knew a college buddy was capable of…and has encouraged me wholeheartedly in pursuing my lifelong dream of being a writer. Her raw honesty and unending awe of the universe is not only inspiring, it is very motivating. And it is to Lauren that I owe many of my successes.
As you can see, that same intensity is ubiquitous in her work. And though she would probably forbid me from sharing any of her writing, you can imagine just how magnificent it is (and, trust me, it is!). If you would like to contact Lauren Menapace (who resides here in West Michigan) about her work, click HERE.
Until then, check out some of my favorite pieces above! And, remember, an expression of self is crucial in life. Whether it be watercolor or poetry or even finger-painting, communicating to others is essential in the slow discovery of your inner-self…of your experiences in life and the effects of those experiences. So be bold. Be brave. Be creative.
Diana Nowak 