What makes you feel the most wild and alive?
When people write to me about how they feel when they see my illustrations or thank me for them. Often when I publish my illustrations, I also write about my feelings and share my thoughts. Many people later also share their experiences and emotions. Knowing that something created by my hands has the power to evoke thoughts, feelings or start a dialogue is amazing and makes me feel alive.
Where are you based?
I live in a small town in southern Poland. My entire artistic world fits in my little room, which is full of sunshine and the sound of birds in spring and summer.
When did your love for art first begin?
I think this love has been in me all along, but it was only about a year ago that I fully recognised it. I’ve loved beautiful illustrations for years, and the different colours would regularly make me gasp in delight. However, I never looked at art as a field for me. That changed just recently, and you could say that it was a year ago that I noticed and fully embraced my love for it.
How has a sense of ambition and drive shaped where you are now?
I can confidently say that my ambition and persistence have been crucial to my journey. The whole illustration adventure started during my studies, so I couldn’t devote myself fully to art. It took a lot of determination on my part to combine both worlds and do my best work in both. Now I’m writing my MA thesis and, among other things, illustrating a children’s book and it’s a bit stressful. But I know that in a few months I will be able to fully dedicate myself to what I love most and that motivates me even more.
Where do you find inspiration for your illustrations?
Looking at other people’s work is a big source of inspiration for me, but not the only one. Sometimes I’ll see a beautiful sunset, sometimes I’ll spot a great pot, and other times a great jacket with very unusual patterns. All this can be a stimulus to create something new. I also often draw inspiration from my own feelings. I’m quite a sensitive person, so it doesn’t take much for me to dig into some emotions that are important to me.
What colours are you currently obsessed with?
I still love dirty pink, baby pink and ecru, but lately I’ve also been drawn to various warm shades of green. Maybe it’s because spring is here in Poland!
Please share with us your creative/artistic practice.
Sometimes, when I stare too long at a white canvas, I draw very random shapes on it. I look at them and it turns out that one of them looks like a frog, another like a sleeping bear and so on. It’s a good way not only to create something when you have no idea what to draw, but also a good exercise to boost your creativity and imagination.
What would be your dream collaboration?
If I’m honest, I don’t have one. I’m full of gratitude for the opportunities in front of me and I really haven’t thought about it. I think I still can’t believe where I am right now, which is why I don’t look forward with my thoughts in that way.
What are you …
Listening to: “Which Witch” by Florence + the Machine
Reading: The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Watching: Dawson’s Creek
Learning: Practising creating seamless repeating patterns
What’s next for you?
Finishing my work on illustrating the book, taking part in some great projects, finishing my thesis and graduating. That’s the plan for the near future!
For more, @och_monika on Instagram.
