Chynna Lake (aka Underground Meltdown) - Interview | Respect the Artist
Chynna Lake (aka Underground Meltdown) is a pixel & Perler bead artist from Staten Island, New York. Her work pays homage to pop culture classics and underground gems. She takes inspiration from musical artists and their album covers, traditional and contemporary works, video games, and nature. She opened a shop (Underground Meltdown) dedicated to this concept, where she sells wall decor, bookmarks, keychains, figures, and more.
How did you get your Artist name?
To make my art, I use Perler Beads (aka Fuse Beads or Melty Beads). And I really enjoy recreating works inspired by underground music & artists. Thus, I came up with Underground Meltdown.
How did you get into creating?
I started creating bead sprites as an after-school hobby but later became devoted to invoking nostalgia through my 8-bit tributes. When I was a teenager, I would always beg my mother to give me a ride to AC Moore so I could pick up supplies. Then I would just spend hours making bead sprites for friends and for fun.
Where are you from?
I'm from Staten Island – born and raised. I spent some time in Tampa, Florida for college. There I met some really cool people who put on DIY events and created their own spaces to showcase their talents. Although I'm now over 1,000 miles away from them, they still inspire me to keep on with my creative work. It's inspiring to see the growing community of creators in SI as well!
How did growing up in your neighborhood/city affect you?
There's so much to see in NYC. Growing up, I always went on little adventures to see what was on display at the galleries – typically in Chelsea and the LES. These trips cost little to no money since there was no admission fee. Public art installations were even more accessible and also often inspired me. I have no doubt that the many music venues influenced me a too...they certainly affected my hearing. It's a privilege to live in a city that has an abundance of local and global artists to see every week.
What did you do to advance your skills/knowledge?
I turned to the internet! There are so many pixel and Perler bead artists online. With that, I've had plenty of designs and patterns to practice with. I've learned new techniques to improve my craft and continue to feel inspired when I see these artists on my social media feeds.
Who inspires you?
Artists and creators of all kinds – embroiderers, photographers, musicians, graphic designers, fellow pixel and Perler bead artists, the list goes on!
What is your goal when you create?
My goal is to create something that sparks joy and nostalgia. If not nostalgia, then curiosity!
Why do you create?
It's what I do. It's how I cope. I can't imagine my life without some kind of creative outlet.
What would you tell someone else with a dream?
If you have a dream (I hope you do) be sure to hold on to it. Write it down. Create a strategy and a goal. Revisit these from time to time and do whatever you can to stay on the path to achieve it. Embrace your dreams and all that comes with them. They may take on new forms, and the pacing towards them may change over time. That’s okay, welcome those changes. When challenges arise, use them as an opportunity to grow. Be a dreamer and a doer, and don’t give up.
Tell us about your most recent release
In October, I created a few new pieces for an incredible event put on by Marie V. Stephen; it was called the Black Butterfly Project. My collection included works featuring empowering figures like Solange Knowles, Maya Angelou, and Alice Coltrane. My father immediately purchased the portrait of Maya which meant a lot to me.
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