blog

Mermaid Couple Portrait Illustration by Lauren Metzler

2020 Year in Review

2020 has been a difficult year for all; from quarantine to the economy, panic buying and mental health decline, people losing their jobs and losing their lives… this year will inevitably go down in history as one of the hardest years for our generation.

As this year closes, I wanted to take a moment and look back at what I have done as an artist and as a human being going through the motions of 2020.

Here are some of my silver linings for the very dark times of 2020;

Started my first children’s book

I started my first children’s book this year, Forest Friends ABC’s. After speaking with my mentor though, I’ve decided not to self publish.

Instead will be sending it around to publishers first to see if I can get it published the old fashioned way!

Mermaiding

Yup, that’s right! I started Mermaid training on October first this year and it completely changed my life. I wanted to find something that would be me outside, back into nature after quarantine. I live on the beach here in Sydney, but I can’t surf and I suck at most sporty things. So I wanted to find something that I could do.

I’m not sure if I found Mermaiding, or if mermaiding found me, but through this amazing endeavour I have reconnected with nature, connected with an incredible community and connected with myself. Through Mermaid training, I found my inner wild woman, made incredible new friends (yes there is a whole community of mermaids out there around the world!) and started to love myself again. There’s just something about putting on a mermaid tail and slipping into the ocean that screams love yourself girl! I’ve never felt so wild or free, and after three months of training I feel like I can do anything!

Mermaid Lauren

So, I pretty much had to start a webcomic about mermaiding, am I right? My new mini-series webcomic, Mermaid Lauren is available on Tapas and on the website here.

I’ve had so much fun mermaiding, and there are so many funny things that happen behin the scenes that I wanted to share!

Sydney Mermaids

Is 2020 my year of Mermaids? Why, yes. Yes it is!!!

I’ve teamed up with some other lovely mermaids I met at a Mermeet here in Oz to bring you Sydney Mermaids!

We are a group of real life Mermaids in Sydney, Australia that work with ecofriendly and local businesses for promotion, inspire joy and help improve mental health and body confidence in Sydney.

We love helping our planet with Beach Cleanups and educating people on howto keep our oceans clean, doing Mermaid Popups, Community Events and festivals when they come back.

We have a lot planned for 2021, so stay tuned! Check out our website or follow us on Social Media for updates!

Wishing you all a better and brighter future!

Lauren Metzler

#mermaids #mermaidillustrator #mermaidart #mermaidlife #mermaidgoals #mermaiddreams #sydneyillustrator

28/12/2020

laurenmetzler

in blog, Illustration, Mermaids

First Picture Book!!!

I’m publishing my first picture book on Amazon kindle! The past few months I’ve been working hard to develop my style as a Children’s Book Illustrator.

I first began this series when I injured my spine last year. Painting the forest friends helped heal me; foxes having tea parties, bunnies knitting tiny socks, barn owls teaching ABC’s and skunks having a cup of tea in a cozy chair. I’ve decided to compile the whimsical world of my woodland critters into an ABC book.

Pre-order Forest Friends ABC book here.

Lauren Metzler

#abcbook #childrensbookillustrator #kidlit #kidlitart #childrensbook #sydneyillustrator

26/09/2020

laurenmetzler

in Animals, Baby Fox, blog, Children's Book, Children's Book Illustration, Forest Friends, Illustration, Kid Lit, Oregon

Oregon is Burning; Art for Oregon Wildlife Relief Fund

Oregon is Burning.

A million acres and counting…

My beautiful home state is literally on fire. Hundreds of thousands of people evacuated. Entire towns levelled to the ground. The forests I grew up in as a child reduced to ash.

Oregon experiences wildfire every year, but these fires are unprecedented. More than double the amount that burns in a typical year has burned in three days…3 Days.

In an effort to help in the only way I can, I’m selling my “Oregon Forest Friends” as a downloadable digital print on my Etsy Shop. You can purchase prints here.

Proceeds will go to Umpqua Wildlife Rescue and families who have lost their houses in my hometown.

A nice cuppa for a friend. Oregon Elk and Hedgehog. Watercolour on paper. Children's Book illustration by Lauren Metzler see more at laurenmetzler.com

Oregon skunk reading book. Forest Friends print by Lauren Metzler. See more of my prints at laurenmetzler.com

C is for Carrot Cake. Baby Bunny and Grandma Bunny. Watercolour on paper. Children's Book illustration by Lauren Metzler see more at laurenmetzler.com

*Please note these are digital prints you print at home not a physical copy, frame not included. $8 USD per print*

Founded in 1988, Umpqua Wildlife Rescue’s state and federally licensed Wildlife Rehabilitators rehabilitate many wild animals every year, returning them to life in the wild. Volunteers run our hotline, work on our newsletter, rescue and transport wild animals, organize and run fundraisers, and offer educational presentations in the community.

“Oregon wildlife are fleeing the forest fires. They are frightened and uncertain where to go. Please leave buckets of water out, and keep your pets in. If you see them in your yard, please don’t shoot them, they have lost their homes, their feeding areas, and are panicked. We are here to help those wild creatures that may hide on your property due to injuries or a loss of their mother.”

They are working harder than ever with the fires raging near my hometown, and can use all of the help they can get.

If you would like to contribute directly to Umpqua Wildlife Rescue, visit their site here.

Thank you and Stay Safe.

Lauren Metzler

#oregon #oregonfires #prayfororegon #wildfire #oregonisburning #oregonwildfires2020 #westcoastfires

18/09/2020

laurenmetzler

in Animals, Baby Fox, blog, Children's Book, Children's Book Illustration, Elk, Forest Friends, Hedgehog, Illustration, Kid Lit, Nursery, Nursery Decor, Nursery Prints, Oregon

Forest Friends Children’s Book Illustration Series

Last week I finished painting my Forest Friends series, children’s book illustrations inspired by the forests and critters of Oregon. You can purchase prints here.