Anna – (Vector artist)
Firstly, Can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your background?
Drawing was never a hobby for me, I’m a professional artist. I have spent many hours studying different ways of painting, drawing and art history. I graduated from Saint Petersburg State Academy of Art and Design as a restorer of icons and paintings, it is a very interesting occupation but unfortunately for me it was a bit boring. After a very short time I realised that I wanted more creativity and individuality within my profession and turned to digital art and illustration. It’s not as serious compared with my background but I really love my occupation and I don’t regret the years that I spent at university – my classical education always helps me with everything I do.
How would you describe your portfolio?
It’s full of flowers, birds and funny animals. It’s very cute and girly, and I like that! In my portfolio there are many floral seamless patterns- it’s a form of meditation for me, drawing and compiling them.
How does it feel to see your images altered? Is there a sense of ownership, and does that make it difficult, flattering, rewarding…?
Oh, I truly don’t feel a sense of ownership because I sell my pictures on the internet, and it would be foolish to think that they are still my own after that. I’m very glad to see my pictures in different beautiful designs, cards, packaging – it’s always very interesting and pleasant. I prefer to take it without any assessment. I try to do professional style images as well, but my customers are free to use them however they like. In my opinion I’m not an ambitious artist, because I really enjoy the process of my everyday work and don’t care about following the life of my pictures.
How do you decide which subjects to draw?
I have a limited number of subjects to draw actually. Mostly I draw flowers, plants, floral patterns and backgrounds. Generally I don’t choose subjects but I choose styles and creative processes. In my portfolio I have vintage watercolour roses and abstract geometric floral elements, monochrome patterns based on pencils drawings and colourful textures with a variety of fantasy flowers, plants, herbs and berries. And, of course seasonal themes – Christmas is a favourite of mine.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
I’m a freelance artist, so I have time for walking, reading, hobbies and for my maternal duties, which is a great advantage that my occupation gives me. I work at home and for me it’s the best way of working. Every morning when my daughter goes to school I begin my work day at a computer. I spend a few hours drawing with my Wacom tablet in Adobe Illustrator. And when necessary I make some sketches and drawings by hand. Sketchbooks and art journals aren’t only a hobby, this is an important part of working, because it helps to switch, to relax and sometime it can help to overcome a crisis of ideas. I have some nice vector patterns inspired by my old sketchbook doodles.
What is your most popular image?
Popularity is changeable, but I think that there was one series which was a best seller for a long time. It’s my illustrations of different birds on floral backgrounds very detailed and realistic. They were drawn two years ago and are still very popular.
Images featured above
03C89519, 03C91797, ING_19074_01098, ING_19074_00425, 03C91377, ING_19074_00599,
