Ink, Intuition, And Inner Truth

Creativity is born from the ability to listen to one’s inner voice — a process that is both demanding and fragile. To cultivate it, a daily routine of connecting with oneself is essential. Handwriting, for me, embodies a natural rhythm that fosters thought; it is a physical act that liberates the mind. Yet while I sketch by hand almost daily, in today’s world my writing is usually limited to task lists and calendar notes. So for this piece, I am particularly delighted to reach for pen and paper, giving my laptop a well-deserved pause.

Throughout childhood and adolescence, I didn’t consciously focus on nurturing my creativity. Instead, I realised later in life that it was inherently part of my bicultural upbringing. My parents made bold, individual choices that became my greatest examples. As the daughter of a meticulous master craftsman and the bravest mother, growing up between two countries, I learned to be happy in solitude — an inner sanctuary where I could feel free from pre-given rules and create my own universes.

Now I know that creativity and authenticity mean freedom — liberators of the genuine self. In our modern landscape, where our steps are meticulously tracked, every action monitored and every click observed, we are blessed with a multitude of choices, yet subtly manipulated by algorithms that dictate what reaches us.

This digital orchestration fosters restlessness and disconnects us from grounding ourselves in true, authentic experience. To counter this, I encourage cultivating a deep understanding of what you love. If it isn’t in writing, it may be in dance, which in its essence is equally cathartic — a visceral expression that nurtures a deeper connection with the body and eventually the mind. I recently visited a nightclub and observed a shift on the dance floor: a move towards self-conscious presence and away from bodily connection. That instinctive connection, free from self-judgment, exemplifies a vital aspect of authenticity.

Or perhaps your authenticity is found in music. Learn the artists by heart, remember their albums and tracks, and connect with their stories. Deepen your engagement, cherish nuance and allow yourself to be inspired by genuine artistry. I have always felt that my musical and creative visual expressions are intertwined. I see colours in music, and I perceive music in colours. This synesthetic perspective guides my aesthetic choices — specifically in the colour palette of my brand, Onar.

At its core, authenticity and creativity flourish when rooted in sincere self-connection amid a world saturated with artificial influence. Growing up across two contrasting worlds — the North of Finland and the South of Greece — within a Finnish-Greek family shaped my appreciation for rich opposites, and I bring a strong fusion of contrasting elements into my work. Proof that it is within our inner truths and conscious choices that we find the essence of who we are — and the most profound expression of staying authentic in a fast-paced, ever-changing world.