A talented Southport signwriter is cheering families up this Christmas by creating fantastic festive window designs.
If you’ve walked through Southport recently and spotted funny paintings of The Grinch, or snowmen, or Santa in people’s windows, then Lauren Galley is probably the artist behind them.
Lauren, the founder of Lauren Ashleigh Art, has become inundated with requests to paint Christmas scenes outside people’s homes and businesses in recent weeks. She is fast becoming a big hit on social media.
Her works have brought lots of smiles to people’s faces during a year when families have faced months of lockdown restrictions.
A former elf with children’s entertainment company Starkidz, she is used to bringing a touch of mischief to the festive season.
The 25-year-old shares her talents with her Grandad, well-known traditional signwriter Dennis Galley.
Lauren said: “I am Southport based, and a self-taught artist. I have mainly been doing digital work such as book illustrations, portraits, logos etc from home the past year or so as I have a toddler to look after, Luca, aged two.
“I was asked to do some window art for Halloween for a friend, Starkidz owner Jan Hayes, as part of the Southport Halloween Trail that she helped to organise. She was my first ever window client.
“I had never window painted before but my Grandad is a Southport based traditional signwriter, Dennis Galley, so he helped me with what materials I needed and it’s basically just kicked off from there!
“I started doing just houses but recently I’ve had a few businesses get in touch too. I’ve done Sparkles Boutique, Halo Hair and Beauty, The Office restaurant, Seashells Nursery and have a couple more booked in.
“I am literally blown away by how popular they’ve been!”
Lauren has been helped along the way with valuable help and advice from her Grandad, Dennis Galley, a traditional signwriter who paints pubs, cafes and canal boats.
Lauren said: “He’s very proud of me for getting into it, it’s definitely a dying art.
“I have been trying to put my own modern twist on it though.”
The results have been impressive, and have really brightened up people’s day amidst these troubled times.
Lauren said: “It’s great that I can help people celebrate Christmas and keep some normality and excitement going during these tough times!
“They’ve been incredibly popular. I’m actually shocked at how much interest there’s been in them!
“I have been doing them since early November now. Some people have been very eager to get a slot before I got booked up, which is amazing!”
For more details, please visit the Lauren Ashleigh Art page on Facebook.
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