Lauren Michelle is a multidisciplinary artist from the bustling creative hub of New York City.

Her upbringing heavily influences her work, as the diverse art and cultures she grew up around (mainly Queens and Harlem) exposed her to different forms of expression, new perspectives, and an overall willingness/openness to learn.

She notes, “growing up around so many people of different cultures, you become a sponge. You intake all the good and bad. But you sort through what to keep and then what to acknowledge, yet let go... There are so many memories, some vivid and some based on pure feelings, that really helped mold me into the creative that I am today.”

Lauren began creating at a very young age. One of her earliest memories of creating is when she would make dolls and doll houses out of recycled materials in her home.

“As I grew up and I thought back at the fact I use to make dolls and doll houses out of cardboard. Simply for the joy of creating.. Stopping my parents from throwing away toilet paper rolls so I can create the bodies of my dolls, and stopping my brothers from throwing away a cardboard box, so I can create another room in my doll house. It was fun. It was freeing. It was exhilarating. I really owe it to all of them for just letting me be.”

When she first started ArtByLMichelle (under a different username), Lauren was posting DIYs on her social media. And after her realization that the representation of black women in art was scarce, her evolved to designing tote bags and canvas wall arts using paint and 3D elements to create one-of-a-kind works, reflecting women of color.

Currently, Lauren’s artistry mainly revolves around resin art, digital art and creative direction (with a focus on the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities). Yet, still fascinated by the endless possibilities of the creative world, she continues to experiment with new mediums and new techniques.

Though she she graduated with a BA in History, she has always wanted to go to either fashion school or an art school. She writes, “ArtByLMichelle is the just beginning for me. When I first started in 2019, I never imaged I’d find a community outside of my family that appreciated my artwork. L.Michelle has broadened by view of how far I can go and what I can do with my creativity. I will always create, one way or another. But it is my hope that I can continue to share my creativity with the world, go to school with a focus in business and art, and build a career where my creativity will contribute.”