Joy

Lauren Sims urges artists with mental illness to courageously express themselves, regardless of their creative skills. She uploads both successes and failures to her Instagram account to encourage a growth mindset and participation in the arts. Lauren’s candour about her work, along with her struggles and recovery from schizoaffective disorder, diminishes stigma for severe and chronic mental illnesses.

Lauren's artistic niche is creating pet portraits (especially support pets) in acrylic on canvas, but she also has experience in fine art, sketching, watercolour, and mixed medias. Lauren's pet portrait commissions have grown in popularity, and she loves the opportunity to capture the essence of these beloved animals. This is her eighth year exhibiting with Recovered Futures.

Follow Lauren on Instagram and Facebook.

Created before I experienced psychosis in 2014, this work displays women in joy and bliss - states I could not fathom having at that stage in my life. Eleven years post-psychosis, I have been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and yet I am living well with my wonderful son and mother. I am so delighted to share my journey with you here - never give up hope for recovery.