Artist Highlight: Ink Tally

We cannot wait to introduce you to the trippy work of the ultra cool Ink Tally. We caught up with Natalie to chat about childhood inspiration and the beauty of Madchester. You can read the interview below or click here to explore her funky collection of art prints.

Let’s start off with a little bit about your background. Where are you from originally? Is that where you are based now?

I was born in London but moved to Manchester as a young child. I have lived here ever since.

From your Instagram story highlight ‘About Me’ we can see that your mum is Colombian, have you spent much time in the country?

Yes my mum is Colombia. I lived there briefly as a baby but then we came back. We visited Colombia every summer we could so I spent a lot of time around my Colombian family.

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

I live in Madchester! Inspiration is everywhere. The Northern Quarter has always been and always will be my favourite part of Manchester. Growing up it was the gritty but culturally rich part of the city. The best music venues, vintage shops and bars have always been in that area. It was also the main part of the city to find amazing street art. Fast forward 15 years and the streets are covered in stunning murals. The gritty music venues are mostly all gone but there it’s still buzzing with artists and musicians.

What is a typical day in the life of Ink Tally?

Wake up at 6, go for a run, walk my puppy Pablo, eat breakfast then climb up three flights of stairs to my office in the attic. I’d like to say I have a list of tasks or an organised manner to my work but I really don’t. I usually work through my mental list and try to commit myself to create three new design per week when I’m not too busy with commissions or admin.

 

Left: Cosmic Eyes 

Right: Break on Through

When and how did you become interested in illustration and design?

I began illustrating professionally only 2 years ago. I ran my own sustainable 70s inspired fashion label for 7 years but struggled to keep up with incoming orders as they were all made to order. I decided to try designing a few t shirts and see how they sold. They sold really well and I started to really enjoy designing them so I made the switch.

We love your trippy and psychedelic style, where do you draw your biggest inspiration from?

Mainly psychedelic experiences and music. I’ve always been fascinated by the art and music to emerge from the 60s and 70s.

What are your passions outside of the studio?

Bouldering, my puppy, live music, new music.

What's your earliest memory related to art? First museum visit or first artwork that really caused an impact on you?

Well I became interested in art when I was 3 and my parents would hang plain wallpaper paper from the walls in my bedroom and let me loose with a paintbrush and paint.

I think my earliest memory relating to art that made an impact on my life was when I was 9, I had a boyfriend in Colombia in Diego and he saved up his pocket money to buy me a beautifully illustrated plaque. It was just a simple piece of clear glass painted with elaborate swirls and almost psychedelic imagery. I was obsessed with it because it was the first gift I had ever received from a boy but also because the colours were so bright and melted into each other. I would just lay in my bedroom and stare into, allowing my eyes to lose focus and make new shapes an patterns from the colours.

Where did you go to school and what did you study?

I didn’t go to University, I attended 6th Form College and studied languages. Because I’m bi-lingual languages came naturally to me so my teachers advised me to take that path. I didn’t enjoy it, I wanted to be an artist but I wasn’t sure it was possible.

Do you have any exciting upcoming projects for 2022?

Yes many! I have some very exciting album covers for musicians I have admired for a long time. I have a full tarot deck release coming this year. I’m also in the baby stages of holding an art exhibition to raise money and awareness for homeless in Manchester.

Quick Fire Questions:

Favourite book?

Sophies World, I read this when I was 11 and it changed my life.

Manchester or London?

Ahhhhhh, Manchester. I do love London but it’s just so big.

Hot weather or cold weather?

Cold because I struggle with heat (despite the SA genes)

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

Brian Jonestown Massacre – Anenome

ANIMA- Moving Mountains

Still Corners – The trip