Episode 20

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In this episode of the Deep Rooted Healing podcast, I interview Lauren Oland of Mezame Designs who is a sustainable textile artist and weaver based in Austin, Texas.

Lauren Oland is passionate about sustainability and runs a zero waste studio where she uses only remnant fibers and fibers made or grown by small farms and artists. She creates wearable, functional weavings including bandana cowls, jean jackets with her weaving put into the back, shawls, tops, coasters, patches and mending kits.

Lauren is passionate about sustainability and runs a zero waste studio where she uses only remnant fibers and fibers made or grown by small farms and artists. She creates wearable, functional weavings including bandana cowls, jean jackets with her weaving put into the back, shawls, tops, coasters, patches and mending kits.

In this interview, we talk about:

-Lauren’s background studying apparel design and being a freelance teaching artist

-How Lauren discovered weaving and developed her style that was influenced by learning the Japanese style of free form weaving called Saori.

-Lauren’s approach to color in her sustainable weaving work

-How Lauren’s weaving connects to her deep musical background that runs in her family. She played piano for 12 years and find that weaving is like playing the piano.

-The ways weaving and creating help her heal and process emotions.

-How the pandemic and a move from the Twin Cities of Minnesota to Austin, Texas have impacted her art practice and business.

-She shares that she is part of the LGBTQ community and how being raised in a strict religious home and not being fully accepted for who she was within the religion made her seek out more open spiritual expressions in her life and her art.

Resources:

-Lauren’s website including a shop with current work for sale: www.mezamebylauren.com

-Follow Lauren on Instagram @mezamedesigns.

-Follow me on Instagram @deeprootedhealing