With an artistic ability to create some of the most intriguing artworks, it's not hard to see why First Nations artist Lauren Freestone has gone from success to success.

The proud Wiradjuri woman has grown her successful career as an independent artist to expand her business to a profitable online store.

Based in Newcastle NSW, Freestone said she has always been a creative person, with her father also having been an artist.

"I've always been creative. A lot of my friends still have an old canvas I painted them in school. My Dad is also an artist so I was lucky to be surrounded by his work growing up," Freestone told Style Up.

"I would describe my art as contemporary in style and colour. I take my inspiration from Country and my surroundings as well as our family history and things I have learnt from watching Dad along the way."

When discussing how she initially expanded her work as an artist, Freestone said it was during maternity leave that she truly found her passion for creating art, having more time to paint and experiment.

"I started painting a lot more on maternity leave in 2016 and had quite a bit of interest," she said.

"After returning to work four days a week and having a new baby I had no real way of showing people what I had for sale so we decided to throw all our savings into a website in 2018 and start selling prints.

"I knew I had people wanting to buy but I never thought it would become my full-time job.

"It was after losing my job with COVID and then having my second baby it kind of forced me to back myself and stick with it."

With the success of the online store and ongoing community support, Freestone commenced 2024 with several new projects including a handful of collaborations with Australian brands and businesses.

"This year I painted an artwork based on my Childhood memories of Gumbaynggirr Country and donated the money to the Gingaana Gumbaynggirr Freedom School," Freestone said.

"In June I did a jewellery collaboration with EL&RO Jewellery with 15 per cent of profits going to Miimi Aboriginal Corporation in Bowraville and in July I had a shoe collaboration which was exciting with Bared Footwear with $50 from every sneaker going to Children's Ground."

Having engaged in numerous opportunities so far this year, the talented artist said it is great to finally see the level of opportunities for Indigenous creatives increase.

"From my own experience, I would say yes opportunities are improving," Freestone told Style Up.

"Businesses and brands are collaborating more with Aboriginal artists and we see our art everywhere now which wasn't the case when I was growing up."

Cautious of not revealing too many details of upcoming plans and projects, Freestone said she has a few new ventures coming up, including a new collection.

"I am working on a new collection and also a few pieces for a group exhibition in November in Newcastle, Awabakal Country," she said.

"I'm also trying out some fabric designs which has been fun."

With her work progressively growing beyond canvas works, Freestone's expansion to a variety of mediums is set to continue as she grows and experiments as an artist.

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