HATCH is a place that is proud of welcoming and connecting with artists and creatives who have a passion for their craft. Our latest collaboration, with the artist ArtyniJP, added another masterpiece to our popular Nahvalur fountain pen collection.
See the dreamy and elegant HATCH Exclusive, French Chateau below. Become awestruck with ArtyniJP’s design of tranquil french blue and white. Thanks to McKenzie Penworks for the amazing custom blank. We applied this design on the Horizon silhouette by Nahvalur. It is all accented so well with gold colored trims, and a gold colored stainless steel nib.
Since its launch, it was no surprise to find that the French Chateau has quickly become a crowd favorite. What’s not to love?
Curious fans who appreciate the design of the French Chateau may want to dig deeper into the mind behind the design. So we reached out to ArtyniJP to know more about her works and her experience collaborating with HATCH.
Here is our written interview with the talented ArtyniJP. Perhaps you can enjoy a good cup of tea and maybe even a French macaroon while reading to set the mood just right.
Question 1: Your art is amazing! Going from hyperrealism to gouache painting, we would love to hear how you describe your art style and how it has changed over time.
ArtyniJP: “Thank you so much! I think, for now, my art style simply involves a lot of details depicting surreal and dreamy imagery. Gouache is my go-to for "chill time art" (which I've been doing a lot lately) but whatever medium I'm using, I would always obsess with the details and just really love getting lost in the flow of it.
Like a lot of artists, I started with drawing anime. At times I would get so lost in drawing them that I would prolong the process just to spend more time drawing. This was the impetus for me to play with values so as to make them a bit more realistic and got fascinated with what I could do. I started looking for artists online that focus on hyperrealism and went down a rabbit hole when I discovered Zdzisław Beksiński. His surreal artworks just opened a floodgate of inspiration and motivation for me. It gave me the idea that there is nothing better than expressing thoughts in clear-cut images, because thoughts defy logic all the time.”
Question 2: What are the different challenges you face when doing charcoal drawings vs. gouache on a canvas?
ArtyniJP: “On a technical level, gouache is a more challenging medium for me. However, the challenges I face for charcoal drawings are a bit more intangible. I get a lot of comments in real life about how I should do something that has colors, or do something that's not weird and creepy. Sometimes I would be on the wrong side of the internet and read opinions about how hyperrealism "is just copying". I'm still working on choosing which criticisms to listen to, and surrounding myself with people who like what I do and give feedback because they want me to succeed. It's a slippery slope to an art block if I get the negativity too into my head.”
(Farewell by ArtyniJP)
Question 3: Who are your biggest influences and are there any pieces from them you are particularly fond of? We would love to check out any you recommend.
ArtyniJP shares her list of inspiring icons:
- Zdzisław Beksiński - though he never titled his artworks, people tend to call my favorite ones "The Lovers" and "The Trumpeter"
- Jono Dry - Honestly any artwork of his, although "Wrapped in Tradition" and "Nurture Nature" stood out a bit more.
- Camila Salinas - "Eighteen Years Old" and "Braiding Hair"
- Miles Johnston - "Peace is Possible" and "On Having No Head"
- Laurie Lipton - "Santa Muerte" and "I'm Fine! Thanks!"
Question 4: What is your creative process to go from a blank canvas to a completed piece? Where do you find the inspiration for your art?
ArtyniJP: “You know how ideas just randomly come to you at 4 am? LOL! I would list down those ideas either on a scratch pad or type it in on my notes app. When the sun rises and I'm convinced those ideas are not a fever dream, I would jot down the details of how each piece would look like, more details on each part of the piece, a very rough sketch, should I get the references from my arsenal of random photos or the internet if not, then take photos, etc.
Once I have the references, I photoshop them together to form a reference closer to how I picture the finished piece. Sometimes, ideas get scratched at this stage though. But if they don't, then I get on to the exciting part: ART-ING!
I get inspiration from random things. Music, a scene from a book or movie, as well as other artworks (especially ones I see in real life). Even how my little nephew always says he owns a bridge, or a doodle I did while bored at work, sometimes I take a photo and realize it's something I wanted to draw and tell a story from there. And then there's also inspiration from thoughts and emotions. I just can't fathom voicing but wanted to yell out loud! These inspirations would then form a picture in my head that would manifest itself and wake me up at 4am, lol!”
Question 5: From the beginning of your art career until now, are there certain pieces you’ve done along that way that have unique value to them you want to share? Perhaps the first time you got good at drawing eyes, or the first time you posted art that people were attached to.
ArtyniJP: “I really love "Eyes Cream II". I love the concept so much I turned it into a series (3rd part is on the way!), but "II" in particular comes with sweet nostalgia. It was a great time in my life as I was drawing it. I'm glad I was able to film it too!”
(Eyes Cream II by ArtyniJP)
Question 6: What skills have you gained from doing art that helps you in everyday life? We know patience is a skill many artists have gained. 😆
ArtyniJP: “I'm not sure if it's a skill but I took to taking better care of myself physically and mentally. As artists, it's so easy for us to get immersed in the flow and lose track of time. I tend to skip meals or go without sleep overnight when I really get into doing art. Surprise, surprise my body couldn't handle the mistreatment! So now, I make sure to have an alarm set to go off every hour and a half so I can stretch or remind myself to eat. My pets' habits are great time indicators as well. And I make sure to never work overnight again unless REALLY necessary. Going out for a walk or straight up going to the gym have also helped!
Take care of yourselves my fellow artists. Too many art to do and only one body to do it with ❤️”
Question 7: How did you first find out about HATCH and how was your experience working with HATCH? Is there any specific detail you’re glad you were able to represent in your design?
ArtyniJP: “I found out about HATCH from one of my best friends who used to work with EndlessPens. And I'm so glad she told me about HATCH because this collaboration has been so much fun from the very start. And considering that I'm quite new with fountain pens, I'm so grateful that everyone in the team has been so kind and patient with me!
As for the design, I'm just happy I was able to make it look romantic and dreamy without using the colors red and pink lol! Nothing against the colors (big fan of pink here!), they're just not the colors you get when you think about French Chateaus.”
Question 8: You have another upcoming collaboration to launch with HATCH that hasn't been announced yet. We’re all excited for this too. Can you describe your concept to give insight into what people can expect next from you and HATCH?
ArtyniJP: “Ooh! This one is also vintage-themed in a way. I'm not sure how much I can say, but if I were to describe it, I'd say the colors are inspired by time etching its story onto a surface. Vague, I know! But I'm sooo excited about this one and really hope other pen enthusiasts would love it too ❤️”
Question 9: What is an artist goal you have that, when completed, you can breathe deeply and say, “I finally accomplished this"?
ArtyniJP: “When I can finally quit any side jobs I have and just do art full time without being an epitome of the "starving artist".
Question 10: What’s the best way to keep up with you and your work?
ArtyniJP: “You can find me on Instagram and YouTube as ArtyniJP to keep up with my works!😊 ”
It was definitely a thrill for HATCH to collaborate with ArtyniJP and for Nahvalur to bring the French Chateau to you! In case you want to grab one before they’re sold out, you can shop here!
Some loving words from ArtyniJP. "To the dreamers who will choose French Chateau, I hope this pen will always take you to your happy place.”
While HATCH is excited about all the upcoming collaborations happening this year, let us wait together in anticipation for what’s next from ArtyniJP and HATCH!
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