ILENIA MARTINI, CREATIVE CONSULTANT, BERLIN, GERMANY

Tell us about yourself and what you do?

I am a creative consultant and I run Neni Studio which is a visual communication agency that I co-founded in 2017. Neni Studio works with international design and lifestyle brands to create digital communication strategies and content aimed for social media.

How did you get into photography and creative consulting?

I got into photography pretty early on in life. Mine is one of those stories where one of the parents introduces the medium. For me it was my dad, who with both film cameras and 16mm film recorded my childhood from basically birth to age thirteen.

I had mixed feelings about turning it into a career, so I experimented within the field, assisting other photographers and then becoming an editor and ultimately went to film school where I graduated as DoP (Director of photography for Film).

Fast forward to 2015 where after seven years in New York, I relocated back to Europe for a job as Head of Creative for a Design brand called Hem - where I worked until 2017. In the meantime the work I had done for them got quite the traction and started receiving requests for work outside if the brand and that’s when I decided to consult. It was a natural transition.

What’s your creative process?

It’s messy - that’s for sure. It doesn’t really follow any specific rule but one thing is constant, I write everything down on paper, and I sketch a lot - from concepts to ideas that come to mind. You’ll never find me without a pen and a notebook.

A fun fact about yourself?

Ah, I don’t know if this is fun, but for sure for me it is.
I have a thing for pens and paper, well, stationery in general.

When do you feel most inspired?

I feel like inspiration is a muscle that needs constant training, so I constantly work on it. From reading/flipping through books about architecture, typography, art, photography, to watching films with incredible cinematography. I usually dedicate a couple of hours to inspiration and research each week, no matter what project I am working on.

How would you describe your aesthetic?

I would say ‘experimental’. I like to mix colors and patterns in a subtle way and I stay away from matchy-matchy pairings for both work and personal style.

How do you think COVID has affected the creative industry?

It’s a change that has caught everyone off-guard and nobody had the time to adjust gradually to this new way of living.

Here in Europe, I am in Sweden, it’s still a work in progress. Digitalization hasn’t come naturally to the creative industry but I see, very happily, that the ones who embraces this shift rather than resisting it have been thriving. One big change that Covid brought is expose different mediums/possibilities, look at NFTs for instance - perhaps if Covid hadn’t hit, it wouldn’t have had such positive reactions from both art and creative industry in general.

Who are some other creatives that inspire you?

I am always keeping an eye out on the fashion and art world. I am constantly inspired by Gabriela Hearst and Lucy Chadwick.

What kind of flower brings you the most joy?

Ah, this is a tough one because I love flowers. I feel like I have to say roses because I have a huge rose tattoo on my arm.

They are so underestimated and there’s so many beautiful variants that you’ll never have the same experience twice!

What do you hope to achieve in 2021?

Some renewed energy to step outside my boundaries - I’d love to try new paths!

You can find more of ilenia’s work here:

Website

Instagram

Jade Fisher, Abstract Artist, Gerringong

Tell us about yourself and what you do?

I am a Mum of 3 boys and I live in Gerringong. My days are spent doing 'the juggle' between parenting and trying to fit in some painting when I get a spare minute.

Have you always had an interest in creating art?

Yes. I have always loved creating things from a young age. I was always painting and drawing. I went to Art college and then studied Textile Design at University. I had a 15 year career in Fashion Design so painting sort of took a back seat during those years but sketching fashion figures was my favourite part of Fashion Design.

What inspired you to begin painting?

I guess I just remembered how much joy it brought me and I live in such a pretty part of Australia that it's hard not to be inspired everyday when you live here. Starting a family and moving away from the city gave me the perfect opportunity to pursue my dream of getting back to my painting roots.

What’s your creative process?

I like to take photos when I'm out on walks of flowers, plants, nice compositions and textures. That's where my inspiration usually stems from. My technique is to paint layer upon layer until each section of the painting has pleasing colour combinations and textures that delight.

Are there any other artists that inspire you?

So Many. My Instagram is a daily dose of inspiration, So many artists doing great things. My favourites at the moment are Stanislas Piechaczek, Lola Donoghue, Elle Campbell, Georgie Wilson, Spencer Shakespeare, Brittany Ferns and Janey Forbes.

Tell us about the most memorable event you can think of in your career?

Probably when I got sent to Ibiza for a week for work to take photos of what people were wearing. That was a pretty amazing highlight. Take me back.

Any music, or books, that you’re loving right now?

Unfortunately I don't get time to read books these days. But music is my second love and my husband used to be a DJ so you'll often find me bopping away to some old trance tunes whilst painting.

Favourite weekend activity?

Bush walks and Beach hangs with family and friends. I've started doing a few creative workshops recently Pottery, Candle making, fibre art. I'd love to do more of those.

What kind of flower brings you the most joy?

Probably English ones because they remind me of my Grandma and living in England. Tulips, Freesia's, Sweet Peas.

How has COVID affected the art industry, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this?

I think people seem to be buying more art because they are home a lot more and probably staring at their blank walls. I know I've bought more art than ever during these COVID months ( But don't tell my husband) I also think that the consumer has become more savvy about buying Australian made art, which is a great thing.

Top tip for surviving lockdown?

Slow down, pause and try to enjoy this time we've been given. Easier said than done when you have 3 crazy boys running around the house and a list of stockists wanting more paintings.

YOU CAN FIND MORE OF jade’S WORK HERE:

Instagram

R2 Designs

Greenhouse Interiors

Lambrini Niaros, Multimedia Artist, Melbourne

Tell us about yourself and what you do

Hi! I’m Lambrini. When people ask me what I do I don’t really know where to start! I’m an artist as well as a full time student studying Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Secondary Teaching. I have two jobs in retail and one job as an assistant art teacher.

I create abstract, one-of-a-kind artworks that are inspired from nature and explore organic movement and fluidity. I like experimenting with dynamic colours that create depth and reflect the energy of the ocean.

What inspired you to begin Lambs Studio?

Lamb’s Studio was born after my mum renovated the shed into an art studio at our house. I was purely experimenting and after a few custom orders I decided to start the Lamb’s Studio Instagram and it snowballed from there. I changed my uni major to Visual Arts and was able to experiment more and more.

What’s your creative process?

Finding inspiration isn’t limited to just Instagram and Pinterest but it can also be found in a feeling or a book, a movie or a general aesthetic. Generally if I see something I like I make sure to save it. This is useful because I’m a super forgetful person. 

I use a notebook to jot down my ideas and I like to brainstorm ideas on paper. It’s generally just a guide because the medium I use, resin, is unpredictable. If you have a solid ‘plan’ in place, you’ll be disappointed because it won’t turn out the way you imagine! I really have to let go and let the resin guide me. 

tell us about the most memorable event you can think of in your career?

A pivotal moment in my art career is not when I made the most money but when I attended an artist’s exhibition. This exhibition cost a few hundred dollars for attending, or friends and family could pay off what you owed by purchasing tickets for the event. I was really prepared to pay for most of it but so many of my friends chipped in and ended up paying it off! It was surprisingly overwhelming to know that so many people believed in me and I have been ever so grateful for that. It’s really motivating to know that people support me and my work.  

Are there any other artists that inspire you?

So many! Ultimately I’m currently obsessed with Bobby Clark’s works. She explores abstract composition in the most delicious colour palettes.

Zach Bennet or ‘Saltwater Dreamtime’ is an indigenous artist that shares his story through intricate patterned paintings, murals and surfboards. His art reflects his Torres Strait Islander heritage and is inspired by the ocean.

Karina Jambrak is an artist I found recently whose illustrations are amazing. Her aesthetic is both earthy and refreshing as all of her artworks are inspired by nature. 

What kind of flower brings you the most joy?

I really like Australian Natives. They’re so earthy and grounding. If I had to pick one that brings me the most joy it would be the Eucalyptus Caesia or ‘Gungurru’. They’re like a little fluffy tutu! 

Any musiC or books that you’re loving right now?

Music: I almost always have The Grogan’s playing in the studio when I want to get work done. They’re a Melbourne based surf-rock band and also have amazing laid-back reggae style tracks. Other artists on heavy rotation include Tash Sultana, Flight Facilities, Anderson Paak, Ocean Alley and The Weeknd.

Books: You are a Badass by Jen Sincero is a fantastic book that I recommend to anyone who needs a refreshing kick up the butt to be the most successful version of themselves. It’s an easy read and the kind of book you can pick up every 6 months to re-read and get back on track. 

Favourite weekend activity?

I love being near the beach and am lucky enough to live a small drive away from the coast. Being a full-time student, the perfect weekend would be spent in the studio creating or on a beach picnic with my friends!

How has COVID affected the art industry, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this?

The Arts has suffered financially as a result of COVID. Less money is being dedicated to it and Arts related courses now cost almost double the amount that they used to. Although the Arts was (sadly) ranked one of the lowest essential industries (which is SO not true!), I feel COVID has shifted some attention to the arts and has produced a new appreciation for artists. Concerns for artists and the industry has fuelled new support and as adaptive as the arts is, I have never seen so much foot traffic on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube searching for new artists. 

COVID may very well spark a new artists’ movement and I am here for it. 

Top tip for surviving lockdown?

Stay busy! My most useful tool this lockdown has been my diary. Whether it’s physical or online, writing down what you’d like to achieve during the week is a great way to stay motivated and to feel somewhat productive. 

Taking it easy and really focusing on self-love, achieving small goals and creating new habits are also some ways I’ve stayed on top of my mental health during this time. 

You can find more of Lambrini’s work here:

Youtube

Instagram

Pinterest 

Facebook

Website