Lauren's Five Favorites for 2025

"'My most memorable childhood fantasy,' [Lester] once wrote, 'was to have a mansion with catacombs underneath containing, alphabetized in endless winding dimly-lit musty rows, every album ever released.'"

~ Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung by Lester Bangs**, edited by Greil Marcus

1. Something new (and blue)

God help me, I now own a record player. I've wanted one for years, but have put off buying one for who knows why. (I already have a book-buying problem. Do I really need a vinyl buying-problem? Something else to lug around and put into boxes should we ever move again?) As it turns out, yes, I do. Thanks to my brother for gifting the best kind of gift--the one that I could not, or would not, buy for myself.

 

 

2. Studio Must Have: Holbein Gouache

 

My favorite paint in the world is Holbein Gouache and my favorite Holbein color is Ivory Black. It is the most beautiful velvety, matte black that a girl could ever ask for and is a staple in my studio. I have multiple tubes of it because running out is not an option. My second runner up for a studio must have is Generals Graphite Powder.

 

3.  Something old and sentimental and totally worthless

I've had this cardboard box of assorted Prismacolor colored pencils since high school. I am ridiculously fond of it, including little me's high-school handwriting and doodles.

 

4. Wheels, babe

 

My studio is only 250 or 300 square feet, so every shelf, every table, every flat file is on wheels. Everything can be moved around to easily reconfigure the space for different types of working, studio visits, work documentation, etc. It's very practical and surprisingly satisfying. I love these red wheels my husband purchased for our flat file.

 

 

 

5. Knives Out

I love my #1 X-acto knives. I've had the green one from Ace Hardware for roughly15 years and am currently trying out this new Frisket knife. I've been working on this box of 100 blades for more than 10 years (pretty sure it was purchased in Detroit), so even with all of my cutting, 100 blades really last a long time.

 

 

Bonus!

I love the little surprising finds that my kids make and leave around the studio. My daughter's "tickit to fun" is one of my all-time faves.

** Mr. Bangs and I both have Taurus moons and a proclivity to collect. Just fyi for my astrologically-minded pals 🤠

♢