We were lucky to catch up with Elléna Lourens recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Elléna, thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

As boring as this answer may be, the only way to learn is to just practice, the more time you put in, the better you will be. In terms of concept, following your gut and what excites you is very important, being true to what you find inspiring. Skill wise, it takes constant practice, training your eye, and your hand.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I began working on personal and collaborative creative projects while still in school. Since then, I have pursued illustration, street art, painting, and embroidery. My style draws from the past, incorporating ancient symbols, patterns, and color schemes while expressing an intuitively modern aesthetic that resonates and seeks to redefine emotional iconography. Immersing myself in the creative world, I have worked alongside established artists while also developing my own practice, participating in exhibitions, and creating murals both in South Africa and internationally.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

The fountainhead, Murakami and the Alchemist have all had a large impact on me in the past few years.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect is seeing something physically appear which was at some point just an idea or concept in your mind.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ellenalourens.com
• Instagram: @ellenalourens