We are so excited to have an amazing collection of designer talent on Art Wow, and one of the newer members of this creative family is the amazingly talented Luxe and Loco! Charlie, the creative behind Luxe and Loco loves all things big and bold, which is clear from her print design! Her bright, fun and designs are the perfect addition to add a pop of colour to any room. From patterns to motivational designs, Luxe and Loco’s subject matter may vary, but the one thing that doesn’t is her love for colour and pattern clashing. Below is a little more about Charlie, the creative behind Luxe and Loco and her creative process…
Please tell us a little bit about yourself. What is your name? Where are you based?
My names Charlotte Kennedy but I go by the name Charlie, I’m from the south coast a seaside town called Worthing.
What does a typical day look like to you?
I try and start most days with a walk on the beach. I then get home, set up my laptop and get drawing. I’m a digital artist so I can be on the laptop a very long time, day to night (I need to get better at switching it off). Some days I might have orders to get out and a bit of admin with my website too.
How would you describe your style of work?
My style is Big and Bold, combining patterns, explosions of colour and quirky themes.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given in life?
Get work out there, and let it evolve. Creatives are often so critical of their work and keep things hidden away, stalling, and waiting for perfection and it can cause them to freeze up creativity.
What inspires you?
Oh everything, inspiration is everywhere! Art galleries, people, politics, nature: flowers, plants, sea life, animals, fashions. Anything and everything!
Is there a piece of artwork on Art Wow that you are most proud of? Why?
I’m still fairly new but I have a couple of sales on prints about Love, which makes me happy and puts out positive message.
If your artwork were music, what would it sound like?
Oh no, Help! I’d like to say something cool here like Dojo Cat, but I’m going to take it back to 90s roots and show my age, and probably cringe when I read this but I’m going to say Jenifer Lopez ‘lets get loud’… loooool! I feel it’s got a good positive message and it’s definitely loud which is how I see my artwork.
What artist, past or present has inspired you?
I can not pick! don’t make me pick… Mattise is always a good one and Hockney. They’re oldies but goodies. To be honest I find art movements inspiring like the Memphis art movement in the 80s, etc.
Who are your biggest influences?
Illustrator: Jason Brooks
What was the last gift you gave someone?
Pocket positivity book by Rupaul – the life-affirming philosophy of a drag star.
How did you get started as an illustrator?
I was a bag designer in the UK fashion industry many years, but with the pandemic and being made redundant, I had to think of some transferable skills. I’ve always enjoyed illustrating and pattern design and I just took it from there and set up Luxe and Loco.
If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
Well I draw a lot of leopards and I love them, but I’d like to say something clever and colourful like a peacock… ohh this is tricky! I’m going to go with…. chameleon, because they adapt to their landscape and they like a bit of colour to.
How did you develop your distinct style? Was it an experimental process?
My style is bright and colourful but that is the only thing I will commit to; I called myself Luxe and Loco so that it gave me room to experiment now and in the future. Although a lot of my work on Art Wow has been more loco than luxury.
What have been your biggest creative challenges to date?
Moving from a fulltime job to working for yourself has been the most daunting challenge this year. But you just have to push through the niggly doubts and carry on. Trust the journey and you will be rewarded.
In one word, describe how art makes you feel.
HAPPY!
