Luke And Mandy are a UK artistic duo living and creating in France. Their work has received international exposure. Starting their career as a hobby, they developed into an established artistic duo who regularly sell their artworks to luxury interior designers and private collectors all over the world. We sat down with Luke and Mandy to talk about their daily life as an Artist Duo.
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
Luke: I try my best to be grateful for everything in my life and everything around me. I look at my baby boy and incredible wife. Then my brain starts racing 100mph with ideas or things to do.
Mandy: I wake up and just ‘be’ in the moment. It’s so important to have a productive day ahead.
What inspires you to create?
Luke: Mandy and my brain. Being bipolar has its benefits, in that I find it extremely easy to come up with ideas. In a decade, I’ve never not had at least 5 concepts lined up.
Mandy: My life and especially our beautiful surroundings in France. Everything is so inspirational. I guess that’s one of the reasons we were drawn here.
What does your work space look like?
Luke: It’s the bed. I genuinely find it the most relaxing place so that’s where we edit.
Mandy: Yeah what can I say, we do love our bed! If we are shooting in a different location or far from home, we will work in cafes and hotels.
Describe the core of your technique or style.
Luke: I wouldn’t say we have a style as such. I think that comes from two completely different brains coming together. We do get common comments though of our work having dark undertones, with lots of shadows, often mysterious. These elements stem from our personalities.
Mandy: We both have elements that we prefer about our journey. I tend to sway towards the simpler imagery and Luke sways towards the highly conceptual and extravagant pieces. If I had to describe our style in a word, I’d say ‘Eclectic!’
What are your top 3 studio essentials?
Luke: Mandy, brain, Sony camera.
Mandy: Ditto but swap me for Luke!
How do you know or decide when an artwork is finished?
Luke: I love the editing process. Quite often, Mandy will say that the artwork is done and I’ll just continue to edit in defiance, but more often than not, she is right! It’s done when we both agree, which is usually longer than it should be. When Mandy edits, it’s a much more efficient process!
Mandy: Yeah Luke tends to go round in circles with the editing. The process consists of us both selecting our favourites and then hopefully selecting one that we have both picked. Then one of us edits and we both discuss until we feel it’s done.
What do you like to do to unwind after a day’s work?
Luke: Our working hours are extremely irregular. I usually unwind by playing with Milo or watching an average film.
Mandy: Just quality time with our family. We do usually end up with something on the TV to relax. Shout out to The Good Place which is one of the best series ever made!
What’s your overall favorite aspect of the creative process?
Luke: Arguably the editing but I adore all of it. There is no feeling like coming up with a good idea. There is no feeling like photographing Mandy. There is no feeling like editing a photo you love.
Mandy: Just doing what we do with the one I love, and Milo, now that he gets involved with what we do. I’m grateful for every part of our journey.
Click here to see Luke And Mandy’s Singulart page!
