Sydneys hottest live gig venue - The Underground UTS

From the ashes, The Underground UTS venue has come back playing host with SXSW Sydney to give us a killer new live gig venue, and we were lucky enough to paint it - props to artist Blu Del Sol.

An exciting transformation that has taken place, a classic uni bar with a lively atmosphere. It’s also home to some of the hottest events on campus, from DJs and live bands to festivals, end-of-session parties and themed events (you can even host your own!). Nothing we love more than supporting your favourite local and international artists live at The Underground. You know, like the good old days - pre Sydneys lockout laws - you get the vibe.

📸 @activateuts

Head over to our Instagram page to check out the process of creating this mural HERE

Check out Blu Del Sol’s latest work here. For more mural portfolios from Chulo Creatives Artist stable click through here. Get in touch with Chulo Creative if you are interested in commissioning a mural artist.

GET TO KNOW THE ARTIST - ETTOJA

Here at Chulo we wanted to showcase the creatives with a Q&A to dive a little deeper into the Artists inner workings - today we spotlight artist ETTOJA.

Tell us a bit about what keeps your creative juices flowing, do you search for inspiration or does it come naturally?

I have several primal inspiration sources, which can vary from time to time, but they follow me through the life: city environment (people, cars, city animals, architecture, life in the city, cultures or lack of culture ), nature ( abstract part of it like the decay or growth, reborn) and the last one is time. The time frightens me and inspires to move forward. To picture it through the static illustartions I'm trying to make them move, creating gifs/ short animations. When painting murals, I am experimenting with the technique which I call "giffiti". Sometimes I use it in editorial illustrations too. Visually it could look as a pattern, or repetitive character, thus creating a feeling of motion, as futurists like Giacomo Balla used to do.

What's been your favourite project to date and why?

My favourite project is always the next one :) But if I need to choose one, it'd be a series of animated trolleybuses from 2019. These were the real trolleybuses, which rode in the city. I've painted 6 of them, portraying some retro design products. This was the project where all my favourite elements met: surface design, muralism/streetart, my love for the industrial design objects, and giffiti. I've painted 12 frames on each of the trolleybuses. Anyone could photograph them and see a little animated story.

Tell us a bit about your process, do you start off searching for reference and sketching?

At the beginning I'm trying to visualize the idea. If I don't visualise it in a second after I've heard the task, most likely I'll get the image while I'm trying to fall asleep, or walking in the city. Then I'll get back to the paper/tablet, try to sketch it just to realise it's completely different from the one I've imagived:) And the rest of the process is basically trying to get the art to look as close as the initial idea.

What made you want to pursue a career in the arts and do you have any tips for up and coming artists looking to do the same.

Art lets solve tasks independently and understand a little bit about society, world, myself.

For a tiny second it helps to feel the existence. 

Dive into yourself, remember what you liked to do when you were a kid, the themes you liked, adapt it and make it work for your now-self. A tip - to be consistent. 

Check out ETTOJA latest work here. For more portfolios from Chulo Creatives mural Artist stable click through here , also get in touch with Chulo Creative if you are interested in commissioning an artist for your next campaign.

Stories in paint by Grant Molony, Russ Molony & Jason Goulding

Our recent mural for Hubspot in Sydney city. We sat down with Grant Molony to listen and learn more about their story behind this mural.

This mural portrays an emotional cultural connection, tell us a bit about the story and your inspiration?

The Whale is very important as a symbol of connection between coastal mobs through the migration story. My brother's dot work is showing travel and significant sites along the coastline like breeding grounds. It is built off a black base to show the night sky with stars a very important navigation tool.

How do you create such a harmonious and balanced artwork while collaborating with two other artists - Russ and Jason ?

I think it has been built over years of working together basically coming down to complete trust in each other's work with a common goal of producing something we are proud to put our name to. 

Before putting paint to wall, how did you want your design to deliver in the space?

We wanted the design to flow and exaggerate length while still being readable with the elevator bays becoming an invitation to interact with the work. This will be a piece where you continually notice small details rather than viewing the work once and taking it all in. 

Tell us your favourite go-to techniques/processes with creating such an intricate and detailed mural?

Layering is the foundation of all our team's work. It allows both room to breathe while giving the viewer opportunities to discover new intricacies each time they view the work. In this mural I especially love how the work reflects off the glass to both appear to float and perfectly mirror the work.

Check out Grant Molony latest work here. For more mural portfolios from Chulo Creatives Artist stable click through here. Get in touch with Chulo Creative if you are interested in commissioning a mural artist.

WELCOME TO THE ARTIST CREW - KILLING TIME

Here at Chulo we wanted to showcase the creatives with a Q&A to dive a little deeper into the Artists inner workings - today we spotlight newest member, Killing Time.


Tell us a bit about what keeps your creative juices flowing, do you search for inspiration or does it come naturally?

I find it hard not to be inspired. Everywhere you look you can find great design. Even shit design inspires me to do better. 

What's been your favourite project to date and why?

Glen Huntly wayfinding mural. Simply because the client trusted me with my vision and let the type do the talking. 

Tell us a bit about your process, do you start off searching for reference and sketching?

I don't do anything without a series of thumbnail sketches. I find if it works in miniature, it translates to large scale. 

On a big, creative project, I look up at least 5 artists I know that have nailed something similar. Then I just take some time to appreciate how and why. 

What made you want to pursue a career in the arts and do you have any tips for up and coming artists looking to do the same.

I always loved design and signwriting but I never wanted to hustle on behalf of someone else. When I got into hand-painting, I knew this was going to be my career and I had to do it my way. 

Confidence and footwork. Come prepared, have a plan and don't be afraid to learn on the job. 

Check out Killing Time Studio’s latest work here. For more portfolios from Chulo Creatives Artist stable click through here. Get in touch with Chulo Creative if you are interested in commissioning a mural artist.

Get to know the artist - Nico Nicoson

Here at Chulo we wanted to showcase the creatives with a Q&A to dive a little deeper into the Artists inner workings - today we spotlight mural artist, illustrator and designer Nico Nicoson.

Tell us a bit about what keeps your creative juices flowing, do you search for inspiration or does it come naturally?

 I seem to find that the more I create the more I am inspired, so for me maintaining a bit of creative discipline helps to make sure I keep things moving and keep ideas coming in. I love looking at all kinds of books and blogs for inspo, but also find getting out of the studio and going for a walk can be a great way to ward off creative block! 


What's been your favourite project to date and why?

Being commissioned to create an official artwork for Campari was definitely a career highlight for me. Ever since I was a child I've loved Campari's bold posters and to have the opportunity to be involved in continuing that tradition was wild!


Tell us a bit about your process, do you start off searching for reference and sketching?

I generally always try and start any project with analogue sketches on paper. For me starting the work in a digital space seems to stifle my creativity. I think theres something about putting pen or pencil to paper that activates my mind. My creative process involves a lot of looking. I try to step away from the work during the process and return to analyse it with fresh eyes as much as possible. 


What made you want to pursue a career in the arts and do you have any tips for up and coming artists looking to do the same.

I never made any kind of conscious decision to pursue a career in the arts to be honest. I just always did what I enjoyed, and that led me to where I am. I would encourage up and coming artists to just focus on making the work that they like and developing that. I believe the rest is up to the universe!

Check out NICO’s latest work here. For more portfolios from Chulo Creatives Artist stable click through here. Get in touch with Chulo Creative if you are interested in commissioning a mural artist.