Lauren Gurley, Brentwood native, and 2001 graduate of Brentwood High School is making her mark in Nashville.
Gurley has single-handedly painted one of the latest murals in Nashville on the side of House: A Social Eatery in The Nations neighborhood of Nashville.
Gurley who previously worked at Ferguson Bath, Kitchen, and Lighting struck out on her own after creating a handmade sign as a wedding gift for a cousin. Her family encouraged her to start her own business.
“I ended up quitting my job to try and do my own thing,” Gurley said. “Wow, I had no idea people would want to really buy my stuff, but they did.”
It was the sign that sealed the deal for Gurley. Co-owner of House Chris Bicsak, also a native of Brentwood, had known Gurley since they were kids. On a whim, Gurley gifted a handmade sign to House and it currently sits by the front door and it started a conversation about a mural on the side of the building.
Gurley collaborated with owners, Chris Bicsak and Kyle McPhee (co-owner of Tin Roof 2 in Cool Springs) about the design for the mural. They decided on using The Nations 615 Facebook group tag line of “Lovin and Livin in The Nations” combined underneath the State of Tennessee with “House” scribed inside the state.
In talking about the design process, Gurley says it took about six months to finalize a design. Executing the design had Gurley painting for two weeks straight.
“I would drop my daughter off at school at 8 and paint until I had to pick her up that afternoon,” said Gurley.
There were even two weekends where Gurley painted for 12 hours each day.
As far as technique, Gurley believes in the old school method of painting.
“I’m totally old school when it comes to art; the mural is all done with a paintbrush not spray painted.”
“I’d love to do more murals,” says Gurley. At this point, she doesn’t have another project yet. House has talked about placing a mural on the other side of the building but no confirmation on that project yet.
There will be an unveiling of the mural at House on September 22. More details will follow, check the House Facebook page for more information.
And if you are looking for a mural or a hand painted sign, visit Gurley’s Business Page PS. 19:14 for more information.
House: A Social Eatery is located at 712 51st Avenue, Nashville.
