LAUREN WALKER

by Lauren Walker As some of you know, I am a local visual artist. I've never really spoken about my other passion... writing! While it may be apparent in my weekly articles, I started writing when I was a kid. My first poem was written in grade five and over the years I've published online and have spent many years writing for the The Standard News. My next adventure allows me to marry two things I love the most. I look forward to sharing my journey to writing and illustratin

by Lauren Walker It's pretty sad when people cannot even cross the street without looking at their phone. I've been listening to an audiobook, on Spotify, regarding, how to “stop people pleasing and set boundaries" by Marieme Seck. It is about setting priorities, achieving goals and how to become more focused in life. In an age where we are so connected with everything else, we are terribly disconnected with ourselves. You Are the Product Social media is designed to keep you

by Lauren Walker Did you know that every painting begins with a rough sketch? A sketch is a quick, loose drawing that provides the foundation for any painting. Just like a foundation, you build upon it to create a finished product. Where do you start? Action Lines In my "Beginner Wildlife Painting for Older Adults" course in October, we will learn about action lines. Think of an action line as a line designed to capture your subject's movement. If you're drawing a bird in fli

by Lauren Walker While this is a slight deviation from my usual subject matter, I feel compelled to write about a few valuable insights I have learned from my ninety-seven-year-old friend. These are gentle reminders about finding joy in the simple moments and I'd like to share them with you. Enjoy the Moment Who knew a little bit of ice cream could make someone's day? Well, that may be an overstatement, as it isn't much but it is something to enjoy in the moment. Every day we

by Lauren Walker I am certainly not one to beat around the bush, so let's get to the point. We all make decisions every day which either help or hurt our wellness. Poor lifestyle choices lead to poor health, there's no way around it. You cannot fix years of ill health in a few months. Choices, choices, choices... it all comes down to choices people! Let's do the Math Over the years, I've come across the same issue over and over again. Bad habits are often easier to invest in

by Lauren Walker Complacency is the enemy of creativity. It's no different in my profession as a personal trainer. When I worked in a gym, I used to watch people do the same routine over and over and never get anywhere. They became comfortable, but the problem is they never got any stronger. If you are locked in a predictable routine, then how will you get any stronger as an artist? Shake it Up Many years before becoming an artist, I was locked into a pattern I didn't like. I

by Lauren Walker We know exercise is beneficial for aiding an injury or chronic joint pain. However, how do you get moving without causing further damage? Well, that's part of my job. You can move any injury, within its limitations, but it must be done wisely. Here's how I've assessed my clients: Is this chronic or a one time occurrence? There's a difference between chronic joint pain and a one time injury. If a client slipped off a curb and twisted their knee, it may cause t

by Lauren Walker So what do you do when your Instagram video takes off? I posted a video on my Instagram page, @theartistwithin86, and it blew up past my wildest expectations. By the time this article gets published, I'll have almost 3 million views. It is overwhelming, to say the least. Uncharted Territory This is uncharted territory for me. I believe these moments are rare and fleeting, so I feel like I'm riding a wave, until it settles back in to the vast social media ocea

by Lauren Walker A common misconception is, when a limb or joint is injured, you should stop moving it. Some may have chronic joint pain or an injured joint, brought on by daily activity. In this case, I encourage movement for healing but we must do so safely. Necessary for Healing Part of healing an injury is bringing blood and oxygen to the injury and surrounding area. Specific exercise helps an injury by increasing blood flow to deliver essential nutrients, rebuilding surr