Artist Highlight: Chromakane

To celebrate the release of our newest collection Japandi, we caught up with the wonderful Chromakane to chat about South East Asian influences in art and the importance of observing the world around you.Explore her collection here.

Let’s start off with a little bit about your background. Where are you from originally?

I am originally of French and Malaysian Chinese background, so I’ve had the opportunity to grow up in different parts of the world, between Europe and Southeast Asia, and be exposed to lots of amazing culture along the way.

Is that where you are based now?

I’m based in the United Kingdom, which I’ve made my home for several years now. London’s artistic community has something special about it. I think that its fast-paced and diverse nature encourages me to be more adventurous as an artist.

What is a typical day in the life of Chromakane?

Every day is a little different, and that’s what I love about being an artist. I might be in the studio working on new screen print experiments one day, drawing in a café the next, and at a trade or market event another day. As enjoyable as this lack of structure is, the challenge is usually always self-discipline.

How do you draw inspiration from the place that you're in?

I spend most of my time observing everything around me with a critical eye. Not to say that I am judging – but rather than closing myself off, observing means my mind is always working. That’s when I usually start connecting dots and coming up with new ideas. But, regardless of where I am, starting a conversation or hearing an interesting story can be enough to find inspiration someplace new.

When and how did you become interested in illustration and design? Did you study art? If so where?

I’ve been creative for as long as I can remember, as a kid I’d always ranked doodling and exploring mixed media art techniques over other hobbies. Early on I also got really into manga/manhwa art, which I think was the earliest influence of Asian art on my style. I studied graphic design at Norwich University of the Arts, which is the career I’ve been shaping for myself until today. Without a doubt, design and artworking skills feed into what I do as Chromakane.

Quick Fire Questions:

Favourite book?

Hermann Hesse’s ‘Steppenwolf’

Tattoo design or print design?

Tattoo design, it’s as intimate as it can get

Hot weather or cold weather?

Hot, but ideally a combination of both

Name three songs currently on heavy rotation in your studio when it is time to get to work.

‘Drive’ by Incubus

‘Paranoid’ by Post Malone

‘Follow You’ by Bring Me The Horizon

You can explore Chromakane's collection here, or the whole of the Japandi style trend here.