Drawing outside the lines

Blending creativity with confidence and a splash of fun, The Tipsy Sketching Club is redefining what it means to draw outside the lines. Founded by Lauren, the club turns traditional life drawing into a relaxed, social experience, complete with good company, a drink in hand, and an atmosphere of openness and laughter. What began as a casual side project has become a thriving movement across three states, celebrating art, body positivity, and connection in the most delightful way.

Tell us about your organisation, how long you have been there and your role within it.

I launched The Tipsy Sketching Club in 2022, as a creative side hustle aimed at bringing life drawing into social, welcoming, and accessible environments –⁠ our local pubs. Life drawing can often be seen as a taboo art form due to the element of nudity; however, I enjoy breaking the misconception that nudity is inherently sexual and championing diverse body types and abilities. What started as a once-monthly event amongst friends has, three years later, turned into my full-time job, running about 12 events a month across three different states.

Can you share your career journey so far and how it brought you to your current role?

My career to date has been working in hospitality and tourism –⁠ a path that took me from waitressing in 2005 to a hotel General Manager in 2018. In 2020, there was an opportunity to work as the Operations Manager at the Canberra & Region Visitors Centre, a role I couldn’t turn down, so I made the jump across to the public service. This role allowed me the work/life balance that hospitality didn’t, and the creative part of my brain fired up and started getting hungry. The Tipsy Sketching Club came about while I was modelling for an art class, and sitting still in the nude, I decided that I’d like to see how I could take this amazing art form to a larger audience.

What do you consider to be your key strengths?

I’m an extrovert through and through –⁠ just ask anyone I’ve ever interacted with. I like to think I’m also quite emotionally intelligent, and I know when to pull people out of their shells and when to leave them alone. I’m enthusiastic, encouraging, positive, and not afraid to have a laugh at myself.

What advice do you have for the next generation of women in business?

Don’t think that a side hustle can’t become a full-time job. We are our own worst enemies, but once you start believing that the only limitations are our imaginations (ok, maybe money plays a part as well!), you can really start to grow.

What methods do you use to unwind from work?

Walking the dogs on any number of Canberra’s great walking tracks, listening to a long-form true crime podcast, a Pilates class at Dance Sculpt, a glass of wine and time with friends.

The Tipsy Sketching Club

• E: [email protected]
• T: 0432 905 646
• W: tipsysketching.club
• Instagram: @tipsysketching