When I’m with horses, I experience a sense of exuberance and awe. I find that same feeling behind an easel, paintbrush in hand, and a kaleidoscope of pigments before me. Bringing these two passions together is at the heart of my work.
I’m captivated by the horse as a creature of contrasts: grace and strength, sensitivity and resolve. As Ronald Duncan writes in his poem The Horse, “Here, where grace is laced with muscle, and strength by gentleness confined.” Through prismatic color and expressive form, I seek to capture not only likeness, but presence and spirit.
Lauren Beights was born and raised in Virginia alongside her three brothers and never outgrew her childhood love of horses and art. While it remains unclear which came first, the two remain inseparable. Growing up in rural Virginia, Lauren spent much of her time riding and drawing horses.
A self-taught artist specializing in equestrian art and oil portraiture, Lauren discovered oil painting as a young teenager. When she found herself wondering what to paint, her mom gave her a simple piece of advice: paint what you love. Lauren painted a mare and foal, igniting a passion for the medium that has endured ever since.
After graduating from the University of Virginia, Lauren continued developing her practice. Her paintings have since been exhibited in galleries and venues across the country, reflecting a lifelong fascination with the horse and an enduring commitment to her craft. She hopes to leave her own unique hoofprint through her art.
