This week’s Friday Feature is the lovely Thaksala from Inky And The Bears. Thaksala is a full-time teacher by day and an artist by night (or any free time she can get!). Art and creativity have always been a big part of her life, and she even went on to gain a degree in fine art from art school. Her current focus and joy comes from creating collage and hand-lettered art, but she has a wealth of experience in all kinds of creative projects.
Let’s get to know more about the inspiring woman behind the creative small business…
Yes! From a young age I wanted to be an artist. I’ve always been creative and I can’t imagine not having some sort of creative outlet. If I’m not making art then I’m thinking about making it!
I’ve always had a side hustle; at school I sold friendship bracelets and pompoms, when I was an art student I was commissioned to create paintings which funded my trip to Thailand, I’ve even made cakes and knitted bears. Inky and the Bears started about 11 years ago when I started selling artwork again.
My first love is painting but it’s not always easy to access. I love how easy it is to find the things you need to collage and get started. I started hand lettering about 11 years ago after a friend told me about it and I have been interested in letters and design ever since.
Probably my tea towels, it was such a steep learning curve but I love the results and turning my artwork into something that brings a bit of joy every day.
Screen printing! I’d really like to be better at it but there is something about the process of it all that I get in a muddle with!
A sense of humour, patience and determination!
I used only draw in black and white, now I’m all about colour! I’ve also branched out to mural painting, running workshops and creating calendars.
I’m a Full time teacher so I make use of weekends and holidays to create artwork. Sometimes it is super busy but I’ve got better at saying no or not at the minute!
I’m lucky that I don’t rely on my business to pay my bills! I’ve streamlined what I make and how many markets I do, as spending has definitely changed. I’d love to be a full time artist but I need to eat too!
I’d have loved to have been a children’s TV presenter!
Thaksala is a perfect example of someone who was born to be an artist… she simply cannot stop herself from creating! She even finds many ways to bring creativity into her teaching job. It’s refreshing to see.
If you’d like to follow along with all of Thaksala’s creative projects, make sure to check out her Instagram: @inkyandthebears (she’s currently nearing the end of a 100 day project which has been great to follow).
If you haven’t already found us over on Instagram – why not come say hi and give us a follow. We would love for you to join the conversation and help spread the movement by liking and sharing our content.
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