In Their Shoes - Lou Lauwerys, Printmaker

“In Their Shoes” is a series shining a light on female founders. At Salt-Water we love to champion creatives and women-led, independent and sustainable businesses.

Lou Lauwerys is an English printmaker living in Singapore with her husband and two daughters. She makes Linocut prints from her studio situated a short walk from the famous Botanic Gardens which serve as an endless source of inspiration.

We chat to Lou about how she started out, what keeps her motivated and inspired, her favourite podcasts, and more...

SW: How did you begin printmaking?
LL: In the UK I was working as a graphic designer and would spend a lot of time gardening, growing flowers, herbs, vegetables. We moved to The Gulf and I knew I wasn't going gardening in the heat as this was beyond my skill set! so instead I started making lino prints of the flowers I loved from back home, mostly hydrangeas and peonies.

In 2019 we moved to Singapore and my eyes were open to the lush botanic world that we found ourselves in. All of the amazing patterns and shapes, the geometric nature of palm leaves and the moiré effect when the wind was blowing with the lovely long lines of the palms swaying in the wind.

SW: Which printmakers do you turn to for inspiration?
LL:  I follow lots of UK lino print artists; Adam Kubish, Tom King, Merlin Chesterman, and Angie Lewin.

I am a big fan of Clare Leighton, and her engravings of seasonal scenes from the 1900s. And further back William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement and Japanese wood block printing as I am really interested by the composition. I am also a big fan of Georgia O'Keefe. I love the way that she uses abstraction, zooming right in on plants to really look at their essential form.

SW: What has been your biggest challenges as an artist?
LL:  One of the biggest challenges I have has been learning to market the art, and finding my audience as this is not a natural skill I have. I was invited to join "A Raft of Otters" - which is an amazing store here in Singapore stocking lots of amazing independent brands and women led businesses.

SW: Do you have any rituals or routines to get you in a creative mindset?
LL:  Strong coffee! probably a whole cafetière, three cups at least. And incense. I find that helps a lot in focussing my mind.

SW: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
LL: John Cleese once said,

“Creativity is not a talent, it's a way of operating.”

...which speaks to me on many levels. I'd also say "Keep showing up, keep making art." Some of it won't work out but the more you do the more it will work out. Stick at it and keep trying!

SW: What do you listen to on repeat?
LL: I actually listen to a lot of podcasts whilst Im working and have a few favourites that I go back to again and again:

"How To Fail" with Elizabeth Day. She has really interesting conversations with all sorts of people about how you can learn from things when it doesn't go according to plan.
and
"Why Women Grow" with Alice Vincent. Visiting women in their gardens - designers, writers, chefs etc and talking to them about why they grow and what their gardens mean to them.

SW: And finally, where is your favourite place to go for dinner?
LL: My favourite restaurant in Singapore is Xiao Ya Tou on Duxton Hill for delicious food and fun cocktails. I'd recommend trying their spicy brussel sprouts dish!

Head to our Instagram for a peek into Lou's creative process.

You can shop Lou's gorgeous lino prints here.