Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Deniz Cimlikaya. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Deniz, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
Like everyone else, I started creating things at an early age, and of course, it took time before I began earning money from it. I completed my studies in Graphic Design at high school and university in my home country. In fact, I had a rough idea of what I wanted to do since a young age. I can say that determination is one of the most important elements of this work. You need to be determined and stubborn on your path because no one will clear the way for you. I started carving out my path by drawing and trying to discover what I loved. Being curious, learning from, and being inspired by different artists are important parts of this work. After graduating from the Graphic Design department at university, I interned at one of Istanbul’s top print houses. I had the opportunity to learn traditional printing techniques and work with many experienced artists. Personally, I have always preferred “mixed media.” Using different mediums to create something new has always excited me. My path crossed with tattooing for this very reason. I can say that my search for a new medium to express myself led me to tattooing. Speaking from my experience, I can say that being eager and curious are the most important steps in this work. After that, of course, comes practice and hard work. In my opinion, it’s not about being different from everyone else, but rather about being yourself. I’m sure everyone has a story to tell; sometimes, it’s just about finding the right way to tell it. And that comes from trying and never giving up.
Deniz, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I grew up in a happy family, and they always supported me. I can say that this had the biggest impact on knowing what I wanted. I discovered what I wanted to be involved with from an early age and continued in that direction, and my family always supported me. I’m not talking about whether or not there were opportunities, but I believe that receiving support and progressing in what you love is very important. Following my own path had a significant effect on shaping my artistic personality. I did graphic design, illustration, painting, and tattooing. I still do all of them and will continue to do so. I don’t believe a person can be successful in an area where they are not happy. Of course, education is also a big part of it. I think it’s necessary to learn from the old, gain experience, and produce new works and innovations, and one must be brave in this. Since graduating, I have never worked in a job with a fixed salary, and this has its advantages and disadvantages, of course. You need to learn to motivate yourself, to be your own boss. Sometimes, doing all of this on your own can be exhausting, but over time it falls into a routine, and that routine, I guess, becomes your lifestyle. I can say that I benefit from using different disciplines. Moving from painting to tattooing wasn’t too difficult for me; it gave me the excitement I was looking for and allowed me to make a fast start. Shortly after getting into tattooing, I got my own studio and continued my work professionally there. I think trying to be free and original is very important. I don’t think everyone has to be that way, but I do believe everyone should at least strive for it.
Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?
Since I enjoy working with different mediums, I naturally got involved in the NFT trend as well. Honestly, it was a very interactive process for me. I believe that anything that helps an artist meet new people and produce new work is beneficial. I noticed that many artists entered this space for the money, and when they didn’t see the results they expected in a short time, most of them gave up. I continued for about three years, and I still create new pieces for my collection whenever I find time and support artists I admire. Digital and fast-consumed art is definitely a part of this as well. Nowadays, everything moves so quickly, and the average attention span for something is about 3-4 seconds, maybe even shorter. I think being able to capture interest and gain appreciation for your art in that short time is a challenge that can help an artist grow. I haven’t seen any harm in keeping up with change; on the contrary, learning to take advantage of it and making it work for you should be the artist’s responsibility. At the end of the day, these are all just tools, and how they are used is in the hands of the individual.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I can say it’s about making your own decisions. I believe the thing that makes you feel most free is being able to make and implement your own decisions. What develops a person the most, both as an artist and as an individual, is making decisions. The best part of not working for someone else is this, I would say. Although there are challenges in not being part of the system, I believe the more independent we are in life, the freer we feel in the end. Another important aspect for me is staying in touch with people and seeing my art being appreciated. You can never really predict where the inspiration for creating beautiful work will come from.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denizcimlikaya
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deniz-cimlikaya-8a4a24242?trk=contact-info
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/cimlikaya?lang=en
- Other: https://linktr.ee/dcimlikaya?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=8118d74c-7f20-4f3e-ae24-774e4c344055
