Lynn Atieno
Lynn Atieno is a digital illustrator based in Nairobi. Her early years were immersed in pencil drawing and progressed to graphic design and, later, digital illustration. Lynn’s exploration of surrealism and mythology conceals her lived experiences to allow the audience to connect with her work in their own way.
She discusses how she makes a living by practicing digital art, a relatively new art form in Kenya's art scene.
What does your artistic journey look like?
Since I was in primary school, I used to draw with pencils until around the time Instagram was introduced. People sharing their work online exposed me to digital art. I thought, "This looks interesting." "I want to try this."
I studied advertising in school, but it’s not easy to get hired by advertising firms. I decided to concentrate on doing commissioned work, and that’s how I got a full-time job as a graphic designer and transitioned into digital illustration. Eventually I quit it to follow my passion of digital and digital illustration, and I have been at it for the last seven years.
How would you describe your work of art?
It heavily employs elements of surrealism and realism, with African patterns in the background. I don’t like to push any agenda with my art; I leave it open for interpretation.
What kind of feedback do you receive about your work?
People ask me what inspires me to make certain pieces. Consuming a lot of animated movies influences the fantasy element of my work. Some of the drawings are based on real-life occurrences, but when you look at them, you wouldn’t immediately say, "Something must have happened to push her to draw this." It is a form of self-expression, but I hide it cleverly in surrealism. Therefore, a viewer would not look at it and think, "She had a bad day and drew this." They'll think, "Wow, this is so cool!"
What is your typical workday as an artist like?
I start my day like I would if I were working at a regular job. I have my breakfast and plan my workflow, which gives me enough time to create pieces of art as well as make any changes the clients suggest.
How is your research practice like, and how do you apply it in your work?
Before I make any piece, I conduct extensive research by looking at how other artists have executed on the same idea as mine, either on Instagram, Behance, or Pinterest. I will need to see an image, draw it, and then give it a name. Other times, I think of a name and then see if I can create something from it.
What are your favourite mediums, and why?
I enjoy digital art. I can put out work faster compared to traditional art because I’m used to it. The costs are friendly too, since all I need to do is use my tablet to draw and then print.
What steps did you take to be able to make a living off of art?
I had to learn the business side of art, like signing contracts, invoices, and the like, after clients underpriced my work or disappeared without paying. I consulted fellow artists to find out that I could use social media to market my art for a wider reach and more art customers. I would like to have my own studio to keep creating in the next few years.
How do you package your digital art pieces for commercial use?
Artists can make limited edition prints, with the last print priced higher, and there will be no other print similar to that one. I occasionally design bags and T-shirts as merchandise. Many times I work on long-term projects that can last for a month or two. For exhibitions, I frame the pieces and sometimes print on canvas.
What are your thoughts on the art market in Kenya?
Art buyers are more open to tangible art than digital art. An art collector told me a while ago that he prefers to buy a physical art piece because it will be uniquely his, as opposed to a digital art piece that can be duplicated. People should be more accepting of digital art in the coming years, so that prints garner as much attention and clients as canvas art.
How would you define success for you as an artist?
For me to leave what society deems a "real job" to pursue art and live off it is a success in itself. Unfortunately, it is not every day that you get to hear this kind of story.
Describe your dream project.
Seeing one of my illustrations in popular movies like Blank Panther
Do you have a network of artists that you rely on, and how do you support one another?
I’m on a WhatsApp group for visual artists from Kenya (AVAC) where we share and critique each others’ work. We also give support by attending the art events. I believe that having a strong artist community is important because it allows us to share our experiences and learn from one another.
Which artists' works have you been enjoying and why?
Karabo Poppy is a South African illustrator who uses distinct, simple patterns and shapes to convey powerful messages about African heroes and the preservation of African aesthetics. They seem simple to somebody who doesn’t know what she did to create them. When you look at her art, it almost looks like the hieroglyphics from Egypt with a South African touch.
What are your most and least favourite parts of professional art?
Social media has increased competition in the art market, forcing me to learn how to be both an influencer and artist. I had to look for interesting ways to engage with my audience, such as posting reels. On the bright side, I love that I get to do what I love.
How has your work given you a sense of personal growth or awareness?
The more people became familiar with my art, the more jobs I got, and the more motivated I was to create, the better I became at it. This is how I interpret my growth.
How would you advise an aspiring artist?
Go for it; you never know where it will take you. I had moments of self-doubt, but my art career worked out in the end. You can still find time to make art with a full-time job until you are able to fully sustain yourself off of it alone.
Tell us about your experience working on the 5Lenses project, where five artists from different mediums each come up with a theme for each of you to work on.
It was a new experience for me because I’m not used to having prompts for my work. As I was creating, I kept thinking of how to interpret the prompts. I also got to meet incredible artists who I look forward to collaborating with on other projects in future.
