Lauren O’Connell is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans design, illustration, animation , and fine art. She holds a BFA in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art & Design and an MFA in Computer Art from the School of Visual Arts. Now based in North Carolina, she creates textured figurative scenes inspired by everyday life.
After more than a decade in branded content and commercial media, O’Connell shifted to independent work in 2024, returning to her fine art roots. During this transition, she discovered oil pastels as a medium that offered greater honesty, tactility, and emotional connection, shaping a more personal and reflective approach. Her work centers on contemplation and connection, exploring the intersections of motherhood, neurodiversity, nostalgia, and the fleeting moments that define daily life.
Her work has been exhibited locally and internationally, including at Green & Stone’s Summer Exhibition in Chelsea, London, the Mint Museum in Charlotte, and Mooresville Arts, where she received the People’s Choice Award. In 2025, she was named First Place Winner and Featured Artist in Arts to Hearts Magazine and was shortlisted for Jackson’s Art Prize, the Artist of the Year Awards, and the VAA ART500 USA competition.
Through her practice, O’Connell creates space for presence and recognition, translating intimate, lived experiences into shared moments that invite empathy, connection, and a deeper sense of belonging.
Awards & Recognitions
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Selected for the summer exhibition longlist from 3,252 international submissions. My work was among 180 pieces chosen by the selection panel for further consideration following an extensive review process before final exhibition selections were made.
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With 16,280 entries submitted from 110 countries, the competition was incredibly strong. As a Longlisted artist, I was in the top 6% of entries.
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ATH Magazine is a distinguished international art publication by the Arts to Hearts Project, focusing on celebrating and amplifying the voices of women artists globally, providing them with a platform for visibility and recognition. I’ve been selected as first place prize winner and featured artist in there upcoming ninth issue.
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With 12,964 entries submitted, from 129 countries, the selection process was incredibly competitive. As a shortlisted artist, my piece SWING was in the top 0.9% of the competition, as one of just 115 successful entries. ‘Swing’ is now a part of the Jackson’s Art Gallery permanent online collection.
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The VAA Artist of the Year 2025 Award celebrates artistic excellence, recognizing talent at all levels. With over 1,500 entries, being shortlisted meant being in the top 5% in my category as Best New & Emerging Artist for my piece SWING.
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The VAA ART500 is an inclusive campaign spotlighting the most promising and visionary artists across the United States. I’ve been shortlisted for my pieces ODE TO SUMMER, JUMP and STILL POINT, FIRST SHELTER.
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The Visual Art Open Prize recognizes UK and international emerging artists.
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I was selected as a highly commended artist for the Spring 2025 and Winter 2026 rounds of Homiens Art Prize submissions.
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My piece IN BLUE was selected as the People’s Choice winner for Mooresville Art’s The Art of Pastels Exhibition.
Exhibitions & Shows
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ATLAS OF US was selected to be showcased at the 2026 ArtFields Festival in Lake City, SC
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My work, THE LIGHT BETWEEN US, was selected to be shown at the highly sought after Green & Stone Summer Exhibition, in the heart of Chelsea, London. The selection panel this year featured leading figures in the art world, including Alexander Marr, Charmaine Watkiss RWA, and Jonathan Yeo. It was an honor to be in the company of so many talented artists for my first overseas exhibition.
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The Guild of Charlotte Artists held a special show consisting of 150 guild members at the Mint Museum in Charlotte, NC.
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On the ‘Gram
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