Crocs, Canes & Creativity: Channeling David Hockney with an iPad in Hand

Jasmin Issaka creatively facilitating the David Hockney Digital iPad Painting workshop at Aviva Studios, home of Factory International - December 2024 til January 2025

Dog lover. Colour fanatic. Creative force of nature. I’m a multidisciplinary artist working across analogue and digital mediums—and if you ask me, David Hockney’s fashion choices (classic British tweed, neon green Crocs, and a walking cane with swagger) are nothing short of iconic. So, on a breezy Tuesday afternoon, wearing bold patterns and feeling fabulous, I basically became David Hockney.

That’s why, when I was invited to plan, prepare, and present the official digital drawing workshops inspired by David Hockney’s ‘Bigger & Closer (not smaller and further away)’ at Factory International, I knew I was the right artist for the task. With creative energy, bold style, and a love for making art accessible to all, I stepped confidently into the role—and never looked back.

Aviva Studios, Home of Factory International, Digital Painting iPad Workshop Planned, Prepared and Presented by freelance creative facilitator Jasmin Issaka

From November 2024 to January 2025, I had the pleasure of stepping into the role of Lead Digital Art Facilitator at Factory International, delivering a series of sold-out iPad drawing workshops for children, adults, and families. Inspired by the vibrant, boundary-pushing style of David Hockney, these weren’t your average art classes—they were joyful invitations to dive headfirst into colour, creativity, and curiosity, powered by digital tools.

I’ve always believed creativity isn’t linear—it’s a winding, wonderful mess of exploration, play, and discovery. That’s exactly the spirit I brought to each session. My goal was to create a space where people could reconnect with their inner creative child, let go of perfectionism, and just make art for the sheer joy of it. Like Hockney, we embraced bold choices, unique ideas, and the freedom to follow our imaginations wherever they wanted to go.

But behind all the colour and excitement was a carefully designed experience. I created a professionally structured, informative, and energising workshop plan that welcomed over 25 participants per session—both kids and adults. My goal? To light up their creative curiosity and help them produce work that felt personal, joyful, and full of spirit. I guided group discussions, demonstrated step-by-step techniques, and made sure each person felt confident navigating Procreate, no matter their skill level.

One of my proudest achievements was being able to maintain a high level of one-on-one support and tailored feedback, even within a large group. Whether helping a child who’d never used an iPad before or encouraging an adult rediscovering art after years away, I offered constructive, compassionate feedback that helped build confidence and creative momentum. My analogue and digital skills, combined with my unshakable optimism, created a space where creativity could thrive—freely and boldly.

This experience solidified something for me: facilitation is an art form in itself. It’s about holding space, inspiring bravery, and encouraging others to imagine something new. And much like Hockney, I’ll always keep pushing colour, joy, and curiosity to the forefront of my creative world