Cleo Kinnaman: The Multifaceted Artist Crafting Stories on Skin and Canvas

Cleo Kinnaman, a true multihyphenate in the world of art, transcends conventional boundaries as a contemporary artist based in Los Angeles, California. With an eclectic background that saw her traverse the globe during her formative years, Cleo's unique experiences shape her work as a tattoo artist, painter, and creative director.

The Early Days

Born to an Ethiopian mother and a Greek father, Cleo's childhood was a nomadic journey, living in Belgium, Germany, Malaysia, and Sweden. This constant movement became a driving force in her artistic evolution. The lack of permanence in her surroundings ignited a desire for enduring forms of expression, leading her to the world of tattoos.

At the age of 14, Cleo found herself working in a tattoo shop in Stockholm, an opportunity that wasn't necessarily accompanied by proper guidance. At such a young age, she was forced to navigate the tattooing world through experimentation with a range of styles and “brave friends”. 

She transitioned into tattooing full time at 17 years old, marking a major milestone in her journey. Embracing the permanence of tattoos, she found a medium that allowed her to meld her passion for art with the storytelling aspects of her diverse cultural background. The symbiotic relationship between her African roots and her mixed heritage serves as a wellspring of inspiration, evident in the way her portraits encapsulate the essence of humanity and unity.

Inspiration and Motivations

Cleo Kinnaman's art draws inspiration from the world around her—people, travel, environments, and the ever-changing facets of nature. Whether it's through the mark of a tattoo or the storytelling allure of a painting, Cleo invites us to explore the profound and interconnected stories that make us human.

The constant evolution of Cleo's artistic journey is fueled by her refusal to become complacent. Acknowledging the human tendency to fall into old habits, she actively seeks new perspectives and approaches, ensuring her work remains dynamic and innovative. Collaboration plays a crucial role in her creative process, with Co:Create Ink serving as a platform to explore new ideas and refine her artistic vision.

Collaboration and Co-creation

With Co:Create Ink, Cleo sees an opportunity to define the art she wants to see in the world and then collaborate with others to bring it life exactly as it should be. It forces her to dive into her own creative inspirations and put something out into the world. From there, she can collaborate and refine the art based on exactly what collectors want.

One such collaboration she looks forward to is the one with her mom. Of all the big names surrounding her world, she states her mom as the one person she really wants to tattoo. 

The topic of co-creation also becomes a very important topic in a time where people feature across various mediums, including social media, TV, and film. Who owns the rights to art when the art is highly personal, inked on skin, and takes inspiration from the surrounding world? Co:Create helps navigate this world through digital certificates of authenticity and rights management. 

Navigating the world of a Multi-Hyphenate

Embracing the concept of “time chunking”, Cleo dedicates her focus to one aspect of her creative world at a time, ensuring that each pursuit receives the attention it deserves.

She tattoos all over the world from studios in LA, Miami, Texas, and Sweden and paints from a private studio in Los Angeles. Painting allows her to delve deeper into her narrative explorations. Drawing on techniques honed during her tattooing years, Cleo seamlessly weaves her experiences into mesmerizing canvases. Her art is a testament to her commitment to human connection, using portraits to tell stories that transcend the limitations of the medium.

Book with Cleo Kinnaman at Co:Create Ink