FEARLESS Friday: Meet Camille Lauren, Art of Ciel

Camille is a beautiful human being, but her beauty is much deeper than what meets the eye. I felt her passion and warmth through her delightful Instagram feed, and even more when we met for the first time for her photo shoot. We met to bring her beautiful painting entitled “Black Swan” to life and now she’s sharing her story on the blog. She is a talented visual artist but also a sharp business woman with a unique vision that allows her to push the boundaries of the art industry. The depth of her words will certainly urge you to work a little harder towards your goals – whether you’re an artist or not. I’m so excited and honored that she has shared so much of her journey with us this FEARLESS Friday! Find out more about Camille’s passion, what inspires her, and how she overcomes fear by reading more.

Tell us about what you do?

I am a visual Artist and entrepreneur. I find joy in telling stories with paint, and I have a blast when I paint live, capturing the moment at special events. I’m a bit of a renaissance soul. I also enjoy graphic design, and find poetry to be a sweet extension of my desire to share and express. I gather experiences, conversations, melodies and observations in my sketchbook. I let my ideas simmer until they’re ready to cascade out onto the canvas.

How did you get started doing it – what inspired you?

Throughout my life, I have been especially imaginative. Experimenting with different artistic mediums from clay to markers, naturally led me to painting, and I just fell in love with all of the different ways that I could blend colour. I incorporate unexpected elements into my work; like glitter, fabric or even dried exotic flowers.

When it comes to entrepreneurship, I was inspired to start my company by a deep desire to make my art accessible to the world. I registered my business in July of 2013 upon being accepted into the Ontario Summer Company program. With the guidance of knowledgeable mentors and excellent program providers, I was able to hit the ground running. I gained exposure by displaying my works at various events, and have since been featured in a variety of newspapers, magazine and online articles, as well as video interviews.

What are some ways you overcome adversity or fear?

I use my words to overcome fear. I learned early on that the tongue holds an immense power to affect life for good or for bad. When I am faced with circumstances that intimidate me, I focus on all of the positive words that I can think of, to turn things around. I write out the issues at hand, and then list action steps that will lead to my desired goals. I also create designs that illustrate a powerful word or motivational phrase that will help me visualize a victorious outcome. Some of the phrases that I’ve illustrated in this way include “Persistence Pays”, “Speak life”, “Kill Doubt” and “Hope Spreads”.

There are times when I’ve been afraid to start a new piece. We can never know if what we do today will turn out better than what we have done in the past. When I feel this way, I whip out my palette knives, draw a loose, flowing image on the canvas with a piece of burnt sienna conté, and jump right in. Being spontaneous reduces the anxiety associated with wanting to paint a perfect image, and allows me to immerse myself in the moment.

Any advice for others that want to follow on a similar path?

Every fulfilled artist and entrepreneur will spend a lifetime learning patience. It is important to consistently refine your vision while working towards your destiny. Very little is given without earning it first; you will need an inner fire that burns brightly, even when you don’t see tangible breakthroughs. Fall in complete passionate love with your craft, so that the inevitable sacrifices of time and effort feel worthwhile. Continue to invest in yourself and embrace learning opportunities as they present themselves. You can prepare for your success through audiobooks, seminars, workshops, webinars, and mentorship. Just as all that glitters can be far from gold; always keep your eyes wide open. Not everyone will come into your life with noble or positive intentions.

It was essential for me to accept that it is okay for me to own my beauty, and be happy about my success. Humility has it’s place, but in business and in life you have to be very clear on what you expect to receive in exchange for your time and monetary investments. Allowing yourself to be in front of the camera- and shine, signals confidence, and self-assurance.

Every unique character trait, every excellent achievement, is worth celebrating! Personal success radiates when you are comfortable in your skin, and positive affirmations will become a buffer to the rough moments that are inevitable in our journeys. Finally, when you find the sweet spot of success, don’t dull your shine for anyone. I strongly believe that each of us has a right to be our best selves, and be appreciated for who we are. It lays the foundation for better things to come our way!

Name your 3 key sources of inspiration and how they help you create or stay positive.

My key sources of inspiration are as natural to me as breathing. Sound, nature and emotion. I see music as a ship that can carry us off to faraway locations; sometimes even magical ones. The melodies make us sway, they allow us to let down our hair and cherish the day. I love creating art because I get to listen to motivational songs for hours on end while I work.

Nature plays an immense part in inspiring my art. I relish the details; such as the glitter of water and the glow of the sun. My series “NaturalistaGLAM” and “Sky Island” embrace the beauty of the people, and the world we live in.

Lastly, my emotions act as a compass to guide the tone in each piece. The canvas is an open space to work through thoughts and ideas, and to translate my passion into something permanent and shareable.

Thank you so much Camille! You are certainly an inspiration to us all! Get in touch with her via her website (www.artofciel.ca) or on Twitter @artofciel, Facebook: Camille Lauren, or Instagram: @artofciel. And watch the fun promo video I shot with Camille here!

If you’d like to nominate an outstanding woman for the next FEARLESS Friday feature, please send me an email at sam [at] samanthaclarke [dot] net or click here! Read other FEARLESS stories here!