How artist Laurie Simmons took a cue from her daughter Lena Dunham to make her debut film, My Art

Laurie Simmons has been a photographer for almost 50 years, but she never felt like she could venture into film. When her daughter Lena Dunham took her first leap into the industry with 2010's Tiny Furniture, Simmons was inspired to write, direct and star in her own film — but she wanted to portray something different.

In Dunham's film, Simmons' character is depicted as a one-dimensional, cold and brittle female artist in her mid 60s. This portrayal sent Simmons on a mission to demystify the artist and show the world what being a creative is really like. My Art is a film that shows the quieter side of an artist's life and touches on subjects such as success, collaboration, ageism, loneliness and dating in your 60s. 

Laurie Simmons joined guest host Laurie Brown to talk about the film, the realities of an artist's life, and her long career in art.

— Produced by Vanessa Nigro