The World Through the Lens of Ello X-Ray Eyez

Artist Ello X-Ray Eyez is consistently putting out new work in a various shapes and forms. She’s always dabbled in multiple disciplines, and her recent pieces include everything from illustrations to fashion pieces, paintings, vinyl cut-outs, ceramics, tapestries, murals, magnets and beyond. And yet, regardless of the medium or her pace, she’s carefully injecting her distinctive bold and playful style into each piece.

We were curious about where she’s constantly drawing inspiration from, so we gave her a disposable film camera and asked her to snap the things she found striking, important or fascinating. Through this collection of personal photos and notes, she allows us to climb inside her mind, and lets us see the world though her eyez.

This is the entrance to my studio. It’s a rusty staircase with years of vines growing over it, topped with a layer of purple Morning Glory flowers. I like the contrast of the organic and the straight lines. And the square skeleton, indicative of some previous structure and a reminder of the building in its previous life.

Windows, light and sun play a huge part in the magic of any space. In one of my windows I have glass prisms that make rainbows when the morning light shines through them. If I had them in every window, I would be happy.

This beaded HOME hanging is really beautiful with the light shining through the coloured plastic beads. I love it because it is simple, yet so intricate.

Sure, plastic beads aren’t worth much. But plastic beads, ingenuity and creativity can make something so unique. This one is special to me because I got it when I worked at Embathisa, in Ingwavuma, a small town on the border of Swaziland a few years ago. Embathisa is a NGO working with local artisans, making embroidered and beaded products to generate an income where there are very little to no work opportunities. 

My “printers tray” filled with memories and some of my oldest treasures.

Paint things in my paint studio.

My bead cave, where I conjure up magic and lucky spells for OHNO in the form of beaded chains 😀

The glass bottles are filled with different colours that represent a variety of meaning, intent and feelings.

I painted the one wall of my space black with white wavy zebra lines. On it is an inspirational collage. Prints and clothing ideas in the making. I like the bold colours, flowing shapes and graphic elements. 

The shelf above my computer is my nest of shiny things, like a Magpie bird. It’s a collection of pictures and memories and artworks from friends, and little notes like this is ever important: “the universe has no center and no edges.”

A (slightly out of focus) pixel drawing.

This is a photo of the sun at the end of a day as it starts setting. The space is amazing as it faces the sun in the morning on the one side, and on the other side in the afternoon with big windows, lots of light and views of the sunset everyday.

Artworks by my friends and a big sun faded Primavera featuring Venus, hang on the walls. My desk is reflected in the mirror, with my computer and post-it notes and errythang.

Sometimes “people” come to visit me.

This is a painting of mine. This is a style that I don’t often explore. It is experimental and free as I let the painting and image evolve over time, with layers upon layers of colour and lines, balancing them out and creating compositions within that. This one includes a realistic eye of the actress Sharon Stone (lol).

A personal little solo show of my work in the sun.

A failed attempt at capturing the view of Devils peak and Lions head. Also featuring a propagated Ivy creeping up metal shapes. #nature #collabo

The bird is a plastic vintage brooch that I acquired a long time ago. To keep it from getting scratched, I put it in this plastic banky. Since then I have just preferred it like that. I like the unexpected layering of the letters and numbers over the bird. It’s an accidental collage and a metaphor for being caught in a money loop. The flame shadows are done on the window with a chalk marker that can draw on smooth surfaces and then just wipe off. It’s epic!

Flowers make ugly things pretty.

Windows align the one side of the studio, creating a light and open atmosphere even in gloomy photos.

This is me floating around in my studio, kind of.

This is a section of a wall that I painted as part of the Salt River International Public Art festival: a surrealistic abstract bold colourful landscape patterns inspired by fynbos and protea flowers.

View from my window.

My imaginary friends.

The only exit.

More from Ello X-Ray Eyez: yoyo-ello.tumblr.com & Instagram