KAROLINA SZAFRAN, Poland ❧

When did you realise you had an interest in illustration? What or who influenced you?

Karolina: You all remember the first time when you got crayons and some sheet of paper when you were kids, don't you? Well, some kids ate a whole set and I started drawing. Maybe because it was after I had lunch.

You originally started doing extremely interesting anime characters, how were you exposed to anime in Poland?

Karolina: The first anime-like movie I saw was 'Robin Hood'.. It was shown in the early morning when I was in the middle years of my elementary school. Before that my mom sent me to junior art courses but painting autumn leafs and hedgehogs carrying apples on their backs every single year was kind of ... boring routine. I've always wanted to create characters of my own and so I quit the courses and from then, drawing comic and manga style characters became my main hobby.


Do you feel your style has changed since about two or three years ago, if yes, why?

Karolina: I'm too young to say 'Yeah, that's my style of art'.

Maybe I will be able to state that when I will be like 60 or older. It's too soon to say such things because my art keeps changing as my life does. I'm a seeker so after I spend some time continuing one style I feel a need to change it. Otherwise I get bored and lose my joy that comes from creating things. I'm still searching.

How would you describe your style these days? What are you experimenting with your illustrations?

Karolina: Flat textures and patterns - that's what I am obsessed with right now. They give so many possibilities and unusual effects. They are unusual to me anyway - maybe because I've started experimenting with them recently. Sometimes a simple pattern or texture can change a picture in 360degrees - even after you though it's already finished.


Your two illustrations "Repose" and "Wanderer", what was the inspiration behind them?

Karolina: The inspiration for 'Wanderer' was a photo by Zwir (zwir.ru) who is an amazing artist with a unique sense for composition. It was an interpretation of his piece. Repose was created one late evening when I was sitting at my desk and sipping hot coffee - it was a really relaxing piece and relaxing was something I needed to do at that time.



Are there any difficult illustration for you, and why?

Karolina: There are no difficult illustrations. There are pieces that can take you only a moment to finish - and there are pieces which require hours of hard, detailed work. I think that an illustrator should be able to draw anything - objects, people, technical concepts. We should never limit ourselves. New things are always hard and tiring to work on but the satisfaction when a picture is finally finished is the most important thing.


Of all your illustrations, which ones, name three, do you feel is special to you and why?

        "Musica Valley"                   "Nocturne Blanc"                                     "Excelsior"


When you draw, is there something of your personality or spirit that you feel you bring to your illustrations?

Karolina: When I was a kid my mates from elementary school were strolling round the neighbourhood and demolishing local benches, trash cans, bus stops. Some of them started doing drugs, were smoking and asking people to buy them beer in liquor stores <<laughing out loud>> I wasn't like that. I preferred returning home after school and drawing. That always was helping me to relax, calm down and cheer myself up. It hasn't changed since then. I mostly create things when I feel pissed off or the other way - when I feel totally happy and satisfied with my daily life. Some people draw and doodle when they simply get bored and have nothing better to do. I can't do that, I can't draw when I feel bored or blank.


Have you done any commercial work before? Or are you working with a company at the moment? Is it design related?

Karolina: I have had a regular post as a graphic designer and illustrator twice. And both times I got eventually tricked and deceived. From that time I've decided to be more careful when choosing who I'd like to work for. And what papers I sign. I'm taking care of my own 'business' right now as a freelance illustrator. I have some clients with whom I cooperate on a regular basis. Beside that I'm taking other commissions. That's what I earn my life from.



Are you working on any project at the moment, or planning one?

Karolina: Right now I am working on a press illustration for a Polish lifestyle magazine and notebook covers for a well known beverages company. Beside that I have to finish my work for a chewing gum producer. That can seem like a lot of work - and that is correct but if you once decide to take your own way you have to learn to cope with such ballast of work.

==>KAROLINA SZAFRAN