We recently had the chance to connect with Lauren Turner and have shared our conversation below.
Lauren, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
When I’m painting, time slips away completely. I lose myself in the colors, the movement, the quiet dialogue between my hands and the canvas. Painting feels like my safe place.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Lauren. I’m a mother, artist, and maternal health advocate with over 7 years of experience supporting families and birth workers. My art is rooted in storytelling. My goal is to highlight the strength, love, and sacred everyday moments of Black parenthood. I create paintings that honor birth, breastfeeding, babywearing, and the power of community.
Through my work, I aim to spark conversations, shift narratives, and create space where Black parents feel seen, celebrated, and affirmed. Whether it’s through a vibrant painting or a powerful advocacy campaign, everything I do is about centering joy and justice in the journey to and through parenthood.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
During high school, I was fortunate to attend an art-focused school. At the time, I actually hated painting. I didn’t feel like I was good enough, and I remember feeling embarrassed during my first few critiques. It felt strange because I had always been a confident artist, but painting made me doubt myself.
Then one day, during a class critique, my teacher took a long look at my work and marveled at what I had created. He pointed out what he loved about the piece. Usually, critiques included suggestions for improvement, but that day, he didn’t offer any. I’m not sure if it was because I was proud of what I made or because he genuinely didn’t have anything to fix, but in that moment, I felt powerful.
It was the first time I truly felt seen as a painter. That moment stayed with me. It helped rebuild my confidence and gave me the push I needed to trust my voice and grow into the artist I am today.
That experience also shaped how I show up as a mother. My daughter loves art, and I make it a point to offer her thoughtful critiques because I believe that helps build strong artists. We live in a world full of criticism, but when we choose to nurture our children and truly see their efforts, we help build their confidence.
Sometimes I give her feedback, but most of the time I focus on what she sees in her work. Her perspective matters. I’m so proud that she was recently chosen to exhibit her art at the Baltimore Museum of Art. Watching her shine reminds me that confidence doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from being supported, understood, and seen.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Over the past few years, I began to lose feeling in my legs. At first, I went to Patient First, hoping to get answers about what was happening to my body. The doctor told me the numbness was likely caused by my cannabis use. She scolded me and referenced a book she had written about the negative effects of cannabis. I took her seriously and stopped using it. But the numbness didn’t go away.
If you had tapped my legs or pinched my toes, I wouldn’t have felt a thing.
I visited several doctors, still believing cannabis might be the cause. Then I lost vision in my left eye. During that eye appointment, the doctor asked if anyone had ruled out multiple sclerosis. That was the first time I had even heard of MS.
Months went by. I continued to lose sensation in parts of my body and experienced moments where my vision would come and go. Then, one afternoon, I lost the ability to walk for a few hours. I was in the parking lot at my children’s school trying to pick them up from their after-school program. I couldn’t get out of the car. It felt like my legs had simply stopped working. The weakness would come and go, and it was terrifying.
Soon after, I started feeling a tight pressure wrapped around my stomach and abdomen. It felt like I was being squeezed by a belt. At that point, I was already undergoing tests with a neurologist to rule out MS, but my next appointment was still far away. I couldn’t wait any longer. I went to the emergency room.
There, I was treated for what they call the “MS hug,” and it was considered an emergency. They had to rule out heart a heart attack. After a few tests, the doctor rushed into the room where my family and I were waiting. She told us that it was either cancer or multiple sclerosis.
Shortly after leaving the hospital, I received my formal diagnosis in October 2024: multiple sclerosis.
Ironically, I learned that cannabis is one of the safest and most effective ways to treat MS symptoms. The very thing I was shamed for turned out to be the thing that helps me the most.
Today, I use cannabis to manage the symptoms from my first major flare-up. I live with pain, vertigo, numbness, and pins-and-needles sensations, along with other symptoms I’m still learning to understand.
I’m still adjusting to this diagnosis. But I’m learning to advocate for myself and others who may be dismissed, misjudged, or unheard. Especially when the signs are there and we just need someone to listen.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
Not everyone agrees with hiding or lying about being in pain because it can feel awkward. People don’t always want to hear about your pain because it’s uncomfortable or hard to understand.
My partner has a rare condition that causes symptoms similar to mine. I used to wonder why he didn’t want to share his pain with me. Now I realize that talking about pain with people who don’t truly understand can be exhausting and draining. It can even feel lonely when others respond with pity instead of empathy.
Today, we share a unique connection. We give each other space to talk about what we’re feeling without trying to solve it or minimize it. That kind of understanding is rare, but so healing.
I’ve also learned that going to the emergency room for these symptoms often feels like a waste of time. The real support comes from those who listen and hold space without judgment.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What will you regret not doing?
Not speaking up for myself is more than just staying silent. It’s a form of self-abandonment. When I don’t set boundaries or advocate for my needs, I open the door for others to take advantage of my time, energy, and labor. Living with MS has taught me how crucial self-preservation is. I’ve learned that protecting my well-being isn’t selfish. I must thrive.
What I will regret not doing is finding my voice sooner and leaving spaces where I didn’t truly belong. For too long, I stayed silent and tried to fit in, hoping that would make things easier. But all it did was hold me back from being fully seen and truly heard. When I stopped compromising my truth just to keep the peace, I discovered how much power I have when I stand up for myself.
This is something I want others to know, especially neurodivergent people. We often face unique challenges in being understood and accepted, so protecting our energy and setting boundaries is even more important.
Learning to prioritize myself has been one of the hardest but most freeing lessons of my journey. I’m still growing and learning, but I refuse to let fear or doubt keep me silent anymore. My story, my energy, and my time are precious, and I will protect them fiercely.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://LaurenJTurnerFineArt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenjturnerfineart/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenjturnerfineart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurenJTurnerFineArt
Image Credits
The only credit is for the Mural at Backyard Basecamp. The photography is Marion James. https://www.marionjamesphotography.com/
