Painting in Progress: What makes Studio Imo flow
In this studio spotlight, we speak to the Hastings-based artist about intuitive colour, cultural gestures, and how painting became a way to reconnect with creativity. The result? A body of work that feels both minimal and full of feeling.
Written by: Nick (GoodMood)
Sometimes the best creative journeys begin not with a plan — but with a feeling. For Studio Imo, that moment came in early 2024.
“It was around my birthday. I woke up with this really strong urge to reconnect with my creativity. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to make — just that I wanted to begin.”
And so she did. What followed was a playful, intuitive return to painting — led not by rules, but by instinct.
Each piece is built in the moment: gestures, characters, colour palettes that emerge and shift as she goes.
“I typically find my way through it as I do it. I enjoy that journey — the not knowing. Not knowing what colours I’ll be drawn to that day, or what the end result will look like.”
Finding Joy in Gesture
Studio Imo’s work is filled with soft movement — hands in mid-conversation, characters gently engaged or simply coexisting. For her, it’s a reflection of how she sees and communicates.
“I’m definitely someone who talks with my hands. Those gestures — I think they’re quite cultural. I just wanted to show some of that in my work.”
She draws from memory, feeling, and fragments of everyday life. Often, the figures she paints are in conversation — connected in small, human ways. And sometimes, they’re alone.
“I like creating scenes where people are together and interacting. But I also love that solo time — it’s important too.”
Colour as Freedom
Growing up surrounded by traditional fabrics and vibrant patterns, colour was always present — but not always predictable.
“There were just mad combinations everywhere,” she says. “I think personally, I’m quite minimal with colour. But when I paint, I feel freer to use it differently.”
That balance — of memory and reinvention — runs through much of her work. It’s expressive but considered. Imaginative, yet rooted in something felt.
Still Exploring
As she continues to paint, there are certain motifs and characters that return — little figures in motion, hats, layered textiles. Each piece has its own rhythm, its own personality.
“I guess it’s like bringing bits of my imagination out into the real world,” she reflects. “The clothes, the colours, the hats… it’s all kind of about creating personalities. And for now, that’s just where I’m at.”
