Chloe Townsend is an artist better known for her slow fashion leather accessories under the label Missibaba. Her shift in materials and new approach to art making flows from the same creative source as her leather crafted goods. Her deep fascination with the natural world was instilled in her childhood growing up at the foot of a mountain. The space and exploration she experienced then, continues to inspire the content, designs, colour and rhythm of her creative output today.
Townsend is fascinated by the multifaceted nature of
ecosystems. Mosses, mini plants, insects and the bigger beasts and trees, allco-exist in a layering of worlds miraculously in balance with one another. Her recent works function as portals to an imaginary evocation of this complex natural beauty.
She works in vibrant colour layers of gouache on a translucent acrylic base and includes collaged, painted elements to evoke a three- dimensional quality. Detail is added in pencil crayon and gold leaf. These mediums enable her to evolve works organically and spontaneously as they are fast drying and conducive to painting light over dark. Ultimately, Townsend relishes the ideal of beauty in her works and sees them as oases of dreaming and peace amidst the wilder energies of the modern world.
Chloe Townsend completed a Foundation degree in Accessory Design at the London College of Fashion and started her company, Missibaba, thirteen years ago. A year and a half ago she began a new creative journey completing some illustration work for Happy Culture and painting commissions for friends. She held her debut solo exhibition at Chandler House in January 2018 titled ‘The Magic Cat.’ She is currently mother to a boisterous three and a half year old, a business owner, fashion designer and artist.