Artist in conversation: Illumina
“From what empowers me and brings me healing and peace, I could pass on this energy of love and light to others”
Illumina, known as Lumi, is a visionary artist originally from China and now based in the UK. She creates digital art that explores themes of nature, healing, spirituality, ancient wisdom, and personal growth. Her work stems from intangible experiences, visions, dreams, emotions, and energies, which she expresses in an intuitive and spontaneous manner. Each piece of her art serves as a visual diary, recording her personal transformation and growth journey.
Lumi uses iPad Procreate to create her digital artworks, which she sells online and at local markets as greeting cards and prints. She also accepts commissioned work and creates custom pieces for those who wish to tune into their own spiritual journeys.
Through her art, Lumi aims to bring more love and light into the world. Her mission is to heal and empower the heart through authentic expression, hoping to inspire others on similar paths of inner growth or those in search of their life's purpose.
What initially inspired you to become an artist, and how did you develop your unique style?
My interest in spirituality and my own healing journey sparked my artistic expression. The process of creating art really helped me release and open up during those tumultuous times, and soon I felt compelled to express things from the psyche and share them with the world to inspire others on similar journeys. This sense of purpose to serve as a healer through art is my motivation and keeps me committed to my artistic path. I haven't pursued professional training in art, and I don't tend to draw things in a literal or realistic way - I guess this is just how expression finds me. It evolved into its own form over time as I spent more time with it - more of me allowing its coming and becoming.
In terms of subject matter, what themes or motifs do you frequently explore in your work, and what draws you to these topics?
Healing has always been the core theme in almost all my expressions; it just gets channeled in different directions. My personal growth journey of shedding, transforming, and elevating is a big part of my work, as well as my interest in various spiritual practices, especially pagan traditions, and the connection with nature. I am always drawn to heartfelt expression, so I always create art from what deeply touches me. The flow from the heart is the most moving. From what empowers me and brings me healing and peace, I can pass on this energy of love and light to others.
In your intuitive and feeling-guided expression, how do you approach the creative process? Are there specific techniques or rituals you use to tap into your innermost thoughts and feelings?
Sometimes the feelings or intuition can be very present and strong so they would take me there straight away. When I feel they need to be evoked or if I need to prepare to tap into certain emotions or energies, music often helps greatly to set myself into the scene. Ritual-wise, it can go intuitive depending on what I feel is needed for the moment. For instance, I would tidy up my space, smudge, drum, or do some ecstatic dancing to get the energy flowing.
As an artist focusing on themes of personal development and spirituality, how do you hope your art impacts or resonates with viewers on a personal or emotional level?
I wish to encourage and awaken those walking the same growth journey in search of inner balance and harmony. The pieces on my own journey are often quite visceral and cathartic, often connecting myself to many since, in essence, we face common humanity themes as we walk through life whether we define ourselves as spiritual or not. I wish to present the authentic and honest self and my path so that my experience through the art could be inspiring for those going through similar life phases. Seeing the expression itself is great healing when it strikes the heart and evokes emotions and feelings. I wish to pass on the message that our inner selves should always be allowed and accepted by us in the first place, no matter what external definitions or labels we have already put onto them. I also hope that my expression could inspire those who tune in to explore in similar ways - expressing the inner through art as a way of retrospection and self-healing, that in essence, everyone could be their own healer artist.
Can you share a specific piece of artwork that holds special significance to you?
One piece that holds a special place in my heart is called "Meeting My Guide." This piece was birthed from the ashes of a tumultuous relationship break-up with a spiritual teacher who had been an integral part of my personal growth journey. During this time, I was overwhelmed with feelings of grief, pain, and anger, feeling lost and disoriented. However, in a dream, I encountered an angelic being that reminded me of the constant presence of love and support in my life, regardless of external circumstances. This figure represented unconditional love and unseen guidance, providing immense relief and healing during a difficult time. Through this artwork, I aim to share this message of enduring love and guidance with others who may be going through challenging times, reminding them that support is always available, both seen and unseen.
How do you incorporate feedback from critics and audiences into your artistic practice, and how do you balance this feedback with your own artistic intuition?
Feedback has always been a fascinating and enriching aspect of my work. Audiences often perceive elements in my art that I may not have been consciously aware of, opening up new realms of understanding for me. Hearing how my art resonates with individuals on a personal level has been incredibly affirming and motivating. While practical or technical feedback can be useful in expanding my practice, I strive to ensure it doesn't overshadow my core value of authentic self-expression aimed at healing and empowerment. My goal is to maintain authenticity in marketing my art. As an artist serving through art, I consider my customers' needs while staying true to my creative intuition. My intuitive expression, customers' needs, and business practices form a "golden triangle," ensuring that my art maintains its authenticity and integrity.
How do you stay motivated and inspired despite any setbacks or creative blocks you may encounter?
As a sensitive and perceptive individual, I rarely find myself devoid of inspiration. However, there are times when my energy levels dip, hindering my creative flow. I view my art as an outpouring of my creative pulses and do not force it. During these periods of creative setback, I allow myself the space to experience them fully. If I feel up to it, I may attempt a bit of expression to get the flow going again. Otherwise, I jot down any inspirations that come to me, saving them for when the right moment arrives. I've come to understand that creative peaks and troughs are a natural part of the artistic process. The less I try to control it, the quicker I bounce back from these low phases. I believe that even during these periods of apparent stagnation, unseen work is being done in the background, building up energy and preparing for the next wave of creativity.
How do you feel about exhibiting your artworks with The Holy Art Gallery?
Communication has been smooth and everything has been well arranged. It was a delight to attend the open evening to see the art space and to view the work from other artists - a great opportunity! If one thing could be improved, I think that would be the quality of photos taken during the opening event - some were fine but some could be better especially when it was a portrait photo specifically asked from the artist. But overall, it has been a great experience.
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations as an artist, and how do you plan to achieve them?
As a healer artist I always wish to pass on the high vibes through art to more and more people, especially aiming to make it accessible and affordable for the vast majority. Holding gallery exhibitions on themes of personal growth and self-exploration, publishing illustration books on healing and spiritual growth alongside with selling my art in different formats i.e. cards, prints and digital art have always been in my future vision. I also wish to weave in different ways of expression like dancing and music, and to collaborate with healers from various practices to create a ripple effect and bring love and light to more. The expansion of my practice goes alongside my own healing journey, this has always been the case for me. Instead of tirelessly searching for opportunities, more I do is to keep building up my own expression and listen to what I feel called to. Connections naturally come when I am more open and more ready for the next step as long as I align with my path. So for me it is more important to be committed to my journey, my mission and my expression, and follow the intuition or inner guidance along the way.
What role does emotion play in your creative process, and and how do you aim to evoke specific feelings or reactions from those who view your drawings?
Emotion is often the driving force which leads the way and determines the outcome of my work, so it is important for me to be in certain emotions or feelings during the creative process as this naturally gets passed on to those who view the art. It is the energy, or the intangible side of the art which truly touches people’s heart. But my aim is not to purposefully evoke certain feelings in people, but rather to be the authentic me in that certain mood or feeling, and be honest and true to myself at the first place. Authenticity is the key. My art springs from within and is not to be done on purpose in pursuit of its effect or influence. It is what truly comes from the heart that touches the soul and evokes others. So in the end, it is down to my inner work - to hold space within myself to allow those feelings and emotions, and allow them to be authentically expressed.