Conversations with Deniz Cimlikaya

Today we’d like to introduce you to Deniz Cimlikaya.

Hi Deniz, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Like everyone else, I started creating things at an early age, and of course, it took time before I began earning money from it. I completed my studies in Graphic Design in high school and university in my home country. Even from a young age, I had a rough idea of what I wanted to do. As a multidisciplinary artist interested in different aspects of art, I can say that determination is one of the most important elements of this work. You need to be determined and stubborn on your path because no one will clear the way for you. I began carving out my path by drawing and exploring what I loved. Being curious, learning from, and being inspired by various artists are essential parts of this journey. After graduating from the Graphic Design department at university, I interned at one of Istanbul’s top print houses, where I had the chance to learn traditional printing techniques and work with many experienced artists. Personally, I have always preferred ‘mixed media.’ The excitement of using different mediums to create something new is what keeps me going. My path crossed with tattooing for this very reason; my search for a new medium to express myself naturally led me there. Based on my experience, being eager and curious are the most critical steps in this work. After that, of course, comes practice and hard work. In my opinion, it’s not about being different from everyone else, but about being true to yourself. I’m sure everyone has a story to tell; sometimes, it’s just about finding the right way to tell it, and that comes from trying and never giving up.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being a fine arts graduate has its advantages as well as its disadvantages. One of the most challenging aspects of this journey is stepping outside the frameworks you’ve learned and beginning to build your own path. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t think talent is something that comes suddenly or that success is achieved without effort. Luck is a very small part of this process. Constantly striving, creating, trying, and failing are, in my opinion, the rules of this work. I see that many aspiring artists become exhausted and give up on the path of experimentation. I don’t think success and developing a style are as easy as they might seem. I often hear that my style is appreciated and considered different, and I believe the main reason for this is that, since I started creating, I’ve always tried to find myself as much as possible. Rather than trying to be special, I’ve focused on being myself. Of course, this comes with industry-related challenges, such as not being able to work in every field or not being accepted. As a solution, I opened my own studio in a short time and started producing on a small scale. People who appreciate your work will find a way to reach you, so I believe there’s no need to fear independence. An artist must be brave.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
People generally like my style. They respect its uniqueness and my ability to express myself. In the end, most people want something special for themselves. Whether it’s a tattoo or a painting, everything has a beginning and an end, and I take great pleasure in telling these stories in my own style. Sometimes, people I meet through painting want tattoos, and vice versa, people I meet through tattoos might end up buying my paintings. This makes me very happy; I can say that one of the greatest advantages of being multidisciplinary is this. Most of the feedback I receive is about how much I love what I do. Rest assured, people can feel that. Whether it’s painting walls, working with paper, or tattooing, work done with passion is felt and seen. When I create something, I always try to make it better than the last time. In short, I compete with myself, and this might be one of the most important factors that nourish me. I can say that driving in another nail every day and raising the bar daily is a behavior that nurtures creativity.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Right now, it continues to move forward by accelerating in the direction it’s going. There is a misconception that technology makes production faster. Of course, this statement varies depending on what we mean by production. To me, production is about creating value. Advanced technology and tools alone cannot create value, but when used for the right purpose, they can. It is up to the artist to create their own value. Whether the industry is doing poorly or well, there is no excuse for not producing. I see that more people are now interested in visual arts compared to the past, and I think this is a positive development. People are realizing that they can make their own food rather than just eating what is served to them. Technology makes me very happy in this regard. Honestly, I’m not afraid of more people starting to produce; I believe that high competition will positively impact all my artist friends and make them feel the need to produce better work

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denizcimlikaya
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deniz-cimlikaya-8a4a24242?originalSubdomain=tr
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/cimlikaya
• Other: https://linktr.ee/dcimlikaya