Mindfuel
Wellbeing through creativity
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ArTIST PROCESS
The artist’s hand, from brush strokes to train of thought, gives an artwork a personal and unique quality, making it truly one-of-a-kind in the eyes of collectors. Maybe this is what makes an artwork truly exciting to collect: when it allows people to feel a part of the artist’s journey creating it. As giclée artists, there's a thrilling world of mixed media art techniques we should be exploring. By bringing new layers of analog skills into the creation of our works, we might find the value of our fine art prints elevated in more ways than one. Here is my experience doing so, using Canon’s PRO-300 printer and professional design software.
I remember reading that if you’re an artist who wants to create prints, you should outsource: this keep costs low while letting experts handle all aspects of production. As attractive as this may seem, one thing tipped the balance for me in favour of printing my own prints at home, and that’s knowing I could learn and grow from the process as a print artist. Here’s how my home studio giclée printing process has evolved, using Canon’s professional range.
Whether you’re looking to add more textural depth to your art, or explore a new skillset which bridges digital and analog art in an affordable and meditative way, lino printmaking may be right for you. Since adding it to my own process, I’ve found a lot of freedom in reproducing my work, especially at a larger scale.
Art can take on a completely different form when depth and dimension is added to it. Just like translating digital images into lino or screen prints, with all their texture and imperfection, this is what excited me about the prospect of creating new experiences for augmented reality and the metaverse. Following the success of my first NFT collection in 2022, I went on to work on various projects which take my work into novel digital spaces.
Hey, dear reader! You may not know it but Chromakane was on a short hiatus until recently. Relaunching with new collections this year – what better way to clear my energy than with a complete reset of my studio space? Read on if you’re curious about the thinking that went into it…
Overexposure to social media can influence the creative process. This effect can be both challenging and motivating for artists, whether or not we’re just starting out. It’s something I also experience with Chromakane, and here I am shedding light on how I’ve found my right balance with social media.
Our unique personalities influence our creativity: from what it looks like, to its authenticity. So why should our approach to social media be any different?
Creativity it isn’t all that elusive – it takes on multiple different forms, and is an integral part of our human experience. If you feel that yours is missing, the odds are you just haven’t tapped into it yet.
FEATURED ARTICLE | ARTIST PROCESS
How my giclee printing process has evolved with Canon’s Pro-300
I remember reading that if you’re an artist who wants to create prints, you should outsource: this keep costs low while letting experts handle all aspects of production. As attractive as this may seem, one thing tipped the balance for me in favour of printing my own prints at home, and that’s knowing I could learn and grow from the process as a print artist. Here’s how my home studio giclée printing process has evolved, using Canon’s professional range.
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Artists in CONVERSATION
Arthur Keef is a self-taught photographer from Kenya, whose work crosses over into the fine art realm through beautiful composition, styling and use of colour. He shares how his process involves both an expression of his mind and a search for authenticity.
Lanabagu is a printmaker and tattoo artist based in the Northeast of England, who uses her art as form of self-discovery. Find out more about the creative process behind her charming ‘wobbly and whimsical’ work, as well as her future ambitions.
Yvette Kissi is a London-based textile designer and visual artist who creates stunning abstract compositions, influenced by her equally rich and vibrant cultural heritage. She shares what she believes makes textile and fabric such a unique medium, as well as her ambitions as an experimental creative.
Laetitia Dumez is an art and fashion photographer based between London and Paris, whose work captures timeless moments which reconnecting us to our human experience, with uniqueness and ethereal beauty.
Rich Simmons is leading the next wave of artists pushing a new era of modern pop art. The award-winning British artist's bold use of colour and commentary is unmistakable, addressing stories of romance, lust, mental health and social injustice in his work.
Tattoo artist Natasha Thirlwell seeks to combine her profession with her passions for ecology and the natural sciences. We find out about her thought process when it comes to shaping this bridge, as well as her outlook and ambitions using tattoo art as a healing and therapeutic form of creativity.
Sydney-based creative and fashion art house INJURY shed light on the holistic process which makes up their macroverse: from their inspirations and ambitions, to how they’ve been building a fascinating multi-sensory universe rich in characters, depth and surreal experiences.
Kota Yamaji creates colourful digital art giving pop art a whole new meaning: the Japanese creative, based in Tokyo, shares how his identity and digital toolkits continue to influence his practice and artistic vision.
Fashion photographer Simran Kaur tells stories of mental health through her work, using a surrealistic and abstract lens which allows her to convey the never-ending and painful journey of these struggles.
FEATURED ARTICLE | CONVERSATIONS
When art saves lives: In interview with rich Simmons
Rich Simmons is leading the next wave of artists pushing a new era of modern pop art. The award-winning British artist's bold use of colour and commentary is unmistakable, addressing stories of romance, lust, mental health and social injustice in his work.
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CREATIVE WELLBEING
Creative expression can be a process of self-exploration and healing, giving us the toolkits we may find helpful to make sense of our experiences. Read on to find out about Kimberly Hetherington’s journey into creative therapy, her passion for supporting personal change as a Vancouver-based creative mindfulness therapist, and some of the prompts she recommends to get started with creative expression.
Yasmine Patpatia is a London-based creative coach who supports individuals looking to pursue a new direction, whether that be in their creative career or life’s purpose. Read on for Yasmine’s take on the current landscape, a glimpse into the ways she can help rediscover one’s purpose through coaching, and for how you could begin to apply a mindset of change to your everyday.
Keep creative and wellness inspiration front of mind with one of Chromakane’s phone wallpapers – free for personal and non-commercial use.
Aaron McCauley of TLD&Friends – a designer-led community offering creative career support – shares his insight on growing and nurturing an emerging career. Aaron reveals his experience and key tips for becoming successful and adaptable within saturated creative industries.
Overexposure to social media can influence the creative process. This effect can be both challenging and motivating for artists, whether or not we’re just starting out. It’s something I also experience with Chromakane, and here I am shedding light on how I’ve found my right balance with social media.
Mindfulness is the practice of living in the moment. This has many benefits, from reducing stress to helping us learn more about ourselves. Did you know – mindfulness also has the potential to unlock creative thinking.
There’s no one way to write a gratitude journal: this nostalgic practice can help you heal, self-reflect, improve your mental state of being, and become more efficient and productive in your work life too.
Mindfulness can be integrated it into our daily work and play, without necessarily needing dedicated time for meditation. Our mindful thinking checklist is a 5-step plan which aims to provide an understanding of just how to keep it front of mind in our daily lives…
FEATURED ARTICLE | CREATIVE WELLBEING
How to find your voice as an emerging creative
Aaron McCauley of TLD&Friends – a designer-led community offering creative career support – shares his insight on growing and nurturing an emerging career. Aaron reveals his experience and key tips for becoming successful and adaptable within saturated creative industries.