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We're excited to be working with @eurekartstudio again! In our first interview, Ikin shared how her nickname Eureka came about, and how she became a full-time illustrator after graduating with a Master's in Architecture in 2019. With this new Art Kit, we now have another opportunity for a second interview to unearth more words of wisdom and interesting stories.
Hi Ikin! We’re honoured to have you here with us again. How have you been and what have you been busy with recently? We would love to hear updates from you!
Hi! I’m so thrilled to be working on another collaboration with Mossery! Our past project was one of the highlights of my career. I’ve been working on a few commissions and a lot more on personal projects besides focusing on my health.
This year, I’ve become more selective in accepting brand collaborations and commissions to allocate more time for passion projects instead. Earlier this year, I felt like making some adjustments to better align with my personal and professional goals. I've decided to shift my focus temporarily to trying out new things, experimenting with different creative mediums, and engaging in more hands-on endeavours. I’ve been doing some collages, and paper art, trying out oil pastels, making crafts and laser-cut projects behind the scenes! It feels good to be able to explore both my curiosity and creativity besides actually creating something with my own hands. Plus, I get to come out with my own creative brief!
It’s been a while since I last created art for the pure joy of it without the pressure to share it online. Feels so wonderful and liberating! I’ve also made the decision to prioritize my health, both physically and mentally. This year, I’ve fallen sick more than in the last few years but I’ve learnt to take better care of my body and take a good rest whenever my body tells me to. Though I’ve always enjoyed doing brand collaborations and commissions, I feel that this decision will also benefit my growth as a creative, health, and overall well-being :)
How would you describe your artistic style and influences? Would you say your outlook and philosophy about life have a part to play in your art?
Yes, I can say that my outlook and philosophy about life shape my art. Oftentimes I feel that my art is an expression of my own self or something that I value, like the wonders of nature and the simplicity of daily life. Growing up with my parents, I was taught to appreciate nature and learn to care for the plants and flowers. I value environmental sustainability. I guess that explains why nature plays a big part in my art.
I’ve always dreamt of a simple life. A conscious life filled with contentment and joy in life's everyday pleasures and moments. Whether it’s the soft glow of a bedside lamp or the cosy warmth of a cup of tea, I try to capture these moments with an artist’s eye for detail and a heart filled with appreciation. Pleasure can come in small but significant ways or in tiny experiences. I feel that my work reflects what surrounds me or how I aspire to live my life. “I want to make beautiful things, even if nobody cares.” This quote resonates with me. Seeing how much people can resonate with my art is a big bonus to me and I couldn’t be more grateful :)
Are there any other artists or creators who inspire you in your work?
I have too many favourite artists! It’s hard to name a few as the list keeps growing haha. My all-time favourite artist and illustrator who inspires me so much is Shaan D’anthes also known as furrylittlepeach. Shaan’s work is full of fun and energy! I love following her journey as a creative and she inspires me to keep doing and sharing what I love.
Recently, I discovered Enikő Katalin Eged and Ulrike Lea Moormann on Instagram. I instantly fell in love with their work! Enikő Katalin Eged is a pattern designer and illustrator. I love her unique, simplistic, somewhat abstract graphic language. It’s inspiring to see how she incorporates a limited color palette and yet she manages to capture a distinct feeling in her work. Ulrike Lea Moormann is a multidisciplinary artist and designer from Germany. I love how Lea plays with simple shapes and colours to create work that is playful yet whimsical with a touch of colour here and there. I’ve always loved colourful things! Her ceramics brings so much joy to people’s heart and home. Lea is also one of the reasons that inspires me to step out of my comfort zone and try new things!
Is there a particular reason for your choice of medium?
Watercolour used to be my main medium before I started digital art. After venturing into digital art three years ago, I fell in love with it! I feel like working with gouache has some similarities to working with digital art. Both gouache and digital art allow for layering. In gouache, I can layer paint to achieve different colors depth, and textures, just like how I work with digital art. I love that the outcome of gouache feels a lot more similar to my digital work. The colours are rich, vibrant, and opaque which allows for intricate details and precision work.
We have created two covers together slightly more than a year ago. And we’re really grateful to have this opportunity to work with you again, especially amidst your hectic year-end schedule. What was the experience like for you this time around creating this Art Kit?
Honestly, I never thought creating the Art Kit would be this much work! It was a challenging yet rewarding experience at the same time. Especially since I’m juggling between Mossery’s Art Kit, a couple of other commissions, and going to art markets in the same month besides getting sick a lot during those times! Haha but overall I’m actually pretty excited and glad that I was able to complete them with the help of Mossery’s team. They’ve been so kind, patient, and understanding throughout creating the Art Kit from start to finish.
What are your thoughts while working on this Art Kit?
This Art Kit is very special to me as I feel like I get to share a piece of my imagination with you. I love how it features my favourite subjects to draw and the inspiration behind my work. I spent so much time curating the workbook for the Art Kit and I can say that I’m proud of them. I'm pleased with how everything came together but I’m both excited and nervous to see how people would accept it. I had fun painting the workbook! This Art Kit gives you an insight into how I paint with gouache and it feels like I’m taking you along in my creative process. I look forward to the release of the Art Kit and hope people will enjoy their time painting!
What would you tell someone starting from scratch in a completely new art medium?
Let curiosity overcome your fear. Trying out new mediums can be daunting and messy. Fear that things won’t work out or turn out how you imagined them. Fear of something unfamiliar and different. Curiosity allows us to overcome these situations. If anything, I have learned during my creative career to not allow fear to control my decision-making. Being curious is a powerful force that can help us all grow and evolve. If you feel like starting or exploring a new medium, I’d suggest picking up a few short courses or simple videos on the topic before starting out. Learning from others can boost your confidence. Seeing other artists create beautiful and thought-provoking pieces can spark your imagination and make you eager to explore your own ideas and potential. I have been practicing this tip for years and I still come back to it every once in a while, especially when I feel like I’ve been in my comfort zone too long.
Besides learning to create art with gouache, how else do you hope our users can benefit from using the Gouache Art Kit?
I really hope this Art kit will inspire users to think outside the box and push the boundaries of traditional art representation. Art is highly subjective and its quality doesn’t rely solely on realism. There are various styles and forms of art, whether it’s illustration, doodle, abstract or symbolic.
Non-realistic art can be visually captivating with its use of colour, texture, composition, and other elements. Apart from learning to paint with gouache, I hope this Art kit somehow inspires users to bring their own interpretations and expressions in creating their own artwork outside the Art Kit.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists or any pitfalls to avoid?
Don't be afraid to try new techniques, styles, or mediums. The more art becomes a career, the less we tend to experiment and create freely. I remember how much I loved doing art and craft projects when I was younger when art was merely a passion and hobby. These days, as much as I enjoy making art for fun, I sometimes feel like the demands of a professional art career leave less and less room for creative exploration. When you feel comfortable or good at one thing, you tend to limit yourself from exploring the unfamiliar. I feel that it's important for artists to find a balance between their commercial endeavors and personal artistic growth. Experimentation and trying out new things can help you grow and discover your hidden potential. One of the pitfalls to avoid is ignoring your personal well-being. It can easily become a habit especially if you don’t set boundaries between work and personal life. Overworking or neglecting self-care can actually lead to burnout without you realising it. Look after yourself.
Trivia question! List two pet peeves.
Slow Internet and people who cut queues.
Is there anything else you'd like to share with the Mossery community and those who appreciate your work?
Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart! I may be an introvert or shy or I keep things to myself a lot but I want you to know how much I truly appreciate your love and support :)
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Enjoy a whimsical yet feminine creative atmosphere where you may reconnect with your inner child's curiosity and imagination with the new Mossery × EurekartStudio Gouache Art Kit.
We hope you enjoy this curated Art Kit as much as we do and we look forward to seeing you all try a hand at recreating these ethereal cosmic flowers with calming earthy tones.
