The pandemic changed the way many of us connected with the world, and for me, it also reshaped the way I connected with art. During this time, I found myself drawn to the vibrant and creative community on Instagram, where artists and creators were sharing pieces of their world. One of these creators, _terry_ellis, consistently shared engaging fashion moments that resonated with me with his taste making selections of functional art. Inspired by their work, I began a series of original India ink drawings, using these fleeting moments as a foundation for my own interpretations.
The artwork featured in this post is one of those drawings, a hand-drawn India ink portrait created on Japanese calligraphy paper. The piece depicts a figure standing against shelves filled with miscellaneous objects, a quiet and reflective scene that combines both simplicity and detail. The minimalistic strokes, achieved using a Japanese ink brush, bring an intimate feel to the illustration while capturing the character and essence of the original scene shared by _terry_ellis.
Using ink on traditional Japanese paper allows for a unique, textured quality in each piece, where every line is carefully considered, every shadow thoughtfully placed. This approach honors the tradition of ink drawing while infusing it with a modern, narrative aesthetic—something that anyone who appreciates minimalist art or unique wall decor can connect with.
If you’re looking to add a one-of-a-kind piece to your collection, or simply want to bring a piece of reflective beauty into your space, this original ink drawing might be just what you’re searching for. Each of my pieces is inspired by creators who have helped foster a sense of community, even in challenging times.
Explore this handmade India ink artwork and see how it can add depth, history, and a touch of meditative calm to your home.
This one-of-a-kind ink drawing is now available on Etsy. I’m excited to share it with you, visit my Etsy shop to learn more, see a video of the piece, and bring this unique artwork into your own space. Click here to view the Etsy listing and make it yours.
During a time when our worlds felt confined, I found myself turning to art as a way to explore and connect with the world around me. Instagram became a source of inspiration, offering glimpses into the beauty others were capturing in their daily lives. One account that resonated with me was @_chuwong, This ink drawing is part of a series that emerged from that admiration.
This original India ink landscape drawing, created on Japanese calligraphy paper, reinterprets a natural scene shared by @_chuwong. I used an ink brush to capture the essence of the rugged hillside, delicate trees, and the sense of depth that makes the piece both calming and evocative. The simplicity of black ink on paper brings out the natural textures and patterns, creating a minimalist but profound landscape that invites quiet contemplation.
Each stroke is intentional, reflecting both my respect for the original scene and my desire to infuse it with my own artistic voice. This artwork embodies the spirit of traditional ink drawing while feeling fresh and contemporary. If you’re a lover of nature-inspired art or minimalist wall decor, this piece offers a unique way to bring the tranquility of the outdoors into your space.
Owning this one-of-a-kind ink landscape means more than just adding to an art collection; it’s about connecting to a shared experience of finding beauty in unexpected places, especially during challenging times. I hope it brings you the same sense of peace and reflection it brought me while creating it.
This unique artwork is available now on Etsy. Each piece in this series is a personal reinterpretation inspired by creators like @_chuwong who have shared their personal life with the world. Visit my Etsy shop to see more, explore additional details, and consider making it yours. Click here to view the Etsy listing.
In 2010 I had the opportunity to document the creative process of fashion collections from start to finish. This work allowed me to observe the evolution of designs and styles up close, while also photographing models and the creative team behind the scenes. The experience deeply influenced my own artistic work, inspiring a series of ink wash fashion drawings that I've been developing for over 12 years.
Ink Wash as a Medium in Fashion Illustration
Many people associate fashion illustrations with vibrant color palettes or sharp, bold outlines. However, I’ve found that ink wash fashion art—with its subtle layers and monochromatic tones—offers a unique and timeless way to capture the elegance and intricacy of fashion. By layering ink wash over pencil sketches, I’m able to create depth and texture that highlight the personalities of the models and the designs they wear. The result is a collection of fashion art pieces that speak to both simplicity and sophistication.
A Closer Look at Process
Kristina had an androgynous look with her pompadour hairstyle and half Windsor knot tie accessory, she embodied the intersection fashion and casting style with a bit of flair (for castings models are expected to wear simple black or white outfits). This portrait began as a pencil drawing and evolved into a layered black and white fashion sketch, completed with detailed ink wash brushwork. This technique, though underutilized in the fashion world, offers a dynamic and expressive way to showcase both the garments and the models who wear them.
These drawings not only document a specific moment in time but also serve as a lasting representation of the elegant fashion artwork that goes beyond the runway. Each drawing is a study of the model's unique features, style, and energy, captured in a medium that allows for both spontaneity and precision.
Purchasing Original Fashion Art
Now, after years of creating and refining these works, I’m making them available to the public. Each original fashion model ink drawing is created on 9x12 paper and is an accessible entry-level piece for collectors. Whether you’re a fan of fashion, art, or both, these drawings offer a unique perspective on the world of fashion illustration.
Purchase this drawing
By sharing these pieces, I hope to provide collectors and fashion enthusiasts with a window into the world of runway fashion personalities while continuing to explore my own artistic journey.
Middle School Slang Collection
You have heard teenagers and soon to be teens say “you sold!” or “Gyatt” or even “Bruh, you got Ohio Riz”. It’s the slang of Gen Alpha and cusp Millennials. You might have even said “that’s cap” when you know someone is making things up and telling white lies. For these designs I decided to use Canva and Adobe Photoshop as the design app instead of Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. The trendy graphic design and mixed typefaces are a perfect match for the slang thrown around like the graphic tees sold for seasonal designs at departments stores. I personally feel like kids wearing That's Ohio would be wearing it for the eye roll and LOL factor for their friends. (If you are wondering what That's Ohio means- you probably have older kids- but short answer is- it means that's weird, strange, and possibly uncomfortable).
I created a shop category in Esty called Middle School Slang. Updating more shortly.
I have worked in the fashion industry 25 years as a photographer and as a Creative Director. It’s an industry that can give you a feeling of doing something so unique, so exciting that you stand taller and think of yourself as larger (your ego grows) even though no one will know your name or what you have created- but you will see people on the street or in your social feed that will be wearing or carrying what you have imaged that gives you immense sense of pride and accomplishment.
The fashion world- especially retail sales, designing, fabricating, and styling for fashion- can be a cruel place to work in. Many people in leadership positions consistently talk down to those that report to them. They speak awful, crude, racially charged, weight shaming, age shaming, gender shaming jokes and comments. There are employees and freelancers who work 10-12 hours without any extra benefits, and it’s expected because of understaffing. Large parties are thrown- that as an employee you must work but do not get paid for- because the reward is going to the party. I have been personally yelled at and cursed out for petty things and I was expected to take it without showing any emotion.The safe places in fashion are the photo studio and restroom. It is within those walls you can complain, get upset, and cry. In the movie A League of Their Own, There is the line that Tom Hanks delivers to Bitty Schram , “are you crying? There is no crying in Baseball!” I created a text piece many years back at the start of my Retoyman project “There is Crying in Fashion”. I just recently updated that text piece and added Some overt symbolism in this reimagined piece. I have included a single blood tear from the word crying. I want to this to be easily sharable, so I created posters, canvas bags, and tee shirts to show my pride for surviving in fashion and show solidarity with my fashion community.
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