Iris Bloom

Iris BloomLauren Karjala is a figurative painter based in Newmarket, NH. Her oil paintings combine figures with personal and common symbolism to craft dreamlike, autobiographical narratives that blur the lines between memory and imagination. Lauren earned her BFA in painting from the University of New Hampshire in 2014 and has since lived and worked between Boston, MA, and the Seacoast NH area. Her art has been exhibited extensively throughout New England and

Lauren Karjala is a figurative painter based in Newmarket, NH. Her oil paintings combine figures with personal and common symbolism to craft dreamlike, autobiographical narratives that blur the lines between memory and imagination. Lauren earned her BFA in painting from the University of New Hampshire in 2014 and has since lived and worked between Boston, MA, and the Seacoast NH area. Her art has been exhibited extensively throughout New England and has been featured in prominent publications such as Vanity Fair UK (2022) and the I Like Your Work Podcast Catalog (2023), among others.

About this collection:
This series, conceived in early spring, emerged from a deep gratitude for the end of winter. As the snow melts and the first signs of life appear, from dandelions to fresh grass, I feel a sense of renewed energy and urgency to create. Walking through my garden throughout the spring and summer, I am inspired by the variety of flowers that emerge, grow, and flourish. This natural cycle invigorates my work, grounding me and providing the inspiration to continue creating. These small works incorporate the flowers that grew in my garden this year, celebrating their beauty and the vitality and joy they bring to my work and life. Symbolic elements include feet and the color red which represent grounding, hands represent creation, white and purple represent wisdom, green represents an open heart.