MEET LAUREN A. BROWN OUR 2023 PROGRAM BOOK COVER ARTIST

What was your inspiration for this year’s Gen Con program book cover art?

I was inspired by the quiet, tucked away, undiscovered places in the middle of forests, where no one has traveled. I’ve always been in love with the forest and the number of mysteries it holds. What kind of magic is hidden within? I imagined a mythical grove where dragon goddesses have always overseen the birth of new generations of dragons. Even though the goddesses are long gone from the world, their statues still provide nourishment and magical energy to help the dragons grow up healthy and strong.

What are you most looking forward to at Gen Con 2023?

I’m looking forward to seeing my amazing friends at the Art Show again and meeting new people at my booth! The people I met at the Art Show are some of the most skilled, sweet, and knowledgeable people, and I made some lifelong friends there.

My favorite thing about Gen Con is that everyone is so kind and open; we’re all excited to be here in this environment and it’s obvious. This convention stuck out to me as my favorite even as an attendee, and the reception to my art made it even more so. I was pleasantly surprised that people really seemed to resonate so much with my personal work. I’m also looking forward to picking up a dice set or two, and a new board game!

Can you give some hints as to what attendees can look forward to seeing at your booth this year?

As always, you can look forward to my series of illustrious Plant Queens: The Avant Garden, which will have three new queens added to the lineup this year. I have new original ink works, as well as playmats and dice pouches that Gen Con has not seen before! I’m finally bringing my stickers back, as they were really popular the first year I sold them, and I’ll be adding more to the lineup: plant dice stickers, falling animals, and some witchy-themed ones!

My Trash Animals are making a return, which have been a favorite! I’ll also have the card game, Deck of Wonders, at my booth as well, which I created all the art for. It was a labor of love and I’m looking forward to bringing that to Gen Con for sale for the first time!

Find even more of Lauren’s amazing work at LABillustration.com, and be sure to give her a follow on Instagram @labillustration.