Erin Lorenzen: Yes you can do it ALL.

Desha:

I'm always interested in finding multi-talented people to interview because it shows  that we can be successful at a variety of things. 

You are a 

fashion designer

artist 

&

yoga teacher 

Can you describe how you arrived at this multi-faceted career path and tell me, 

Do you love it??

Erin:

Well, It all just kind of...happened. I have been making art for as long as I can remember. I studied Studio Art in school. I was a potter, painter, and a sculptor. I moved to Buenos Aires shortly after graduation and learned to silkscreen there. I mainly wanted to learn how to silkscreen so I could add that element to my paintings, but printed some shirts on a whim and started selling them at the Box Turtle on Kavanaugh in Little Rock when I returned. They asked me to participate in local fashion shows, so I started making skirts to go with the t-shirts, and then dresses, and then jewelry...I use all recycled materials and it takes a ton of time, but I do love it. I LOVE it. 

I was introduced to yoga when I was hanging out in the pottery studio in college. I like LIVED in there. I worked all the time and was known to brood and smoke and stare at my work to get it just right. A local yoga studio owner approached me mid-brood and suggested I try a yoga class. I did. I hated it. It was uncomfortable and I thought all the hippie talk was irritating. But I kept going back. 


Yoga has saved me from the stress of life as an artist. While I love love love making art, the business side of the deal can make me want to rip my eyelashes out. My yoga practice has helped me accept not only the stresses of life as an artist, but the stresses of life, that it's all part of the deal.  The practice has taught me how to get through and even enjoy uncomfortable situations, be more flexible and have more fun. Being able to share those things with students has been pretty amazing. 

Desha:

Fashion is a hard industry to break into and you live in Little Rock, AR.... I love LR, but it's not exactly the epi-center of high fashion, just like Brattleboro isn't a hot spot for TV production ha -ha! Did you have any reservations about designing clothes there? If so, what made you decide to go for it anyway, and how did you begin?

Erin:

It all just happened before I had a chance to decide whether or not to "go for it." I guess that's what I'm trying to decide now. I'd like to try and take my work into national fashion and art markets. But, finding funding to produce samples and take them to market can be tough.  

I've been traveling around a bit and checking things out. The fashion scene can be super competitive and cutthroat, but it seems like there is a softer underbelly for folks like me who are trying to work with recycled materials and involve their communities in the creative process.

Desha:

What's been the biggest challenge you've faced on your artistic career path and how did you deal with it?

Little Rock Tees Rock

Erin: My biggest challenges are dealing with money and planning. I love creating, but sometimes find it difficult to be practical and make plans, two musts if you're going to work on bigger projects. 

I've been reaching out to others who have had successful creative businesses to figure out the best path to take.  Although I'm not extremely successful financially at this point, I feel like being able to be creative and expressive in some way every single day is a huge accomplishment.

Couture Prom Dress

Desha:

What advice would you have for artists and designers who would like to make a living in a creative career?

Erin:

I don't necessarily feel like I'm in a place to give advice yet. But, I will say that when I focus on what I'm doing and don't worry too much about how its going to turn out, things generally turn out better. 

I like that Dylan song lyric,

"Do what you must do and do it well."

The Ladies

To learn more about Erin and her creative work, find her on Face Book and coming soon...

www.erinlealorenzen.com