Lauren Marttila

Nantucket Life and Inspiration

Lauren is a paradox – at once you see a polished, professional career woman, interested in serving the Nantucket community and giving of her talents.  When you peel back the layers, there is the adventurous, creative, introverted artist who sees beautiful imagery and wants to share.  

Inspired by interior designers who transform spaces in unusual ways, she personally loves a clean, simple and collected aesthetic; warm minimalism. She loves to mix art and textiles, and loves to travel.  If only getting on and off island was easier. Her favorite artists include Kate Holstein, who she says “embodies the term wanderlust”, Donald Jurney, Sally King Benedict, and Pablo Picasso for both his art and his dachshund (another passion). 

Lauren credits her husband with putting a camera in her hand. An avid surfer, his early morning surf sessions became Lauren’s muse and grounded her photography.  Surfers live for the “wave of the day”, and photographers search for the perfect light, so the duo is often found chasing those famous Nantucket sunsets all the way to the beach, giving Lauren a rich experience in light and waves. 

Lauren washed ashore from New York City over a decade ago and hasn’t looked back. She adapted to island life and loves the short commute, the community, and her volunteer work supporting the Nantucket Boys & Girls Club.  She has embraced all weather (and rain gear), the ocean, and the light as the tools of her trade – and always has a flashlight, extra batteries and supplies on hand. 

Lauren wants people to collect her art because they love Nantucket, the ocean, and live for that first breath of fresh, salt air.  She seeks out simplicity and negative space in her photography so the viewers can see themselves in her work. 

"I get my Vitamin D through my work.  Each photograph has a "road trip-

hanging out of the truck-racing to catch the sunset-best wave of the day" story behind it.  

I'm attracted to scenes that reinforce the beauty and integrity in simplicity."