What led you to become an illustrator? ’Talking’ with pictures was always my thing. During my university years (studying Graphic Design), I always tried to do something image focused. Somehow even my Final Major Project was an illustrated picture book dedicated to the symbolism of death. Working in advertising was draining, a few years of freelancing after that were exciting, since my partner was more into typography and organising things. So I was responsible for idea generation, creating visuals, icons and some simple illustrations. One day I realised that the only part of the work that excited me and I didn't have to force, was illustration. I spent a year improving my drawing skills (figure sketching every day, drawing a day, going to sleep with a Gottfried Bammes’ book). In 2019 I received my first commission and since then I’m working as a freelance illustrator. Did you study illustration in college? I graduated from London College of Communication (UAL) in 2013 with a BA in Design for Graphic Communication. We spent most of our time learning how to think creatively, how to experiment with different materials/media and etc. We had some classes on illustration where we practiced pattern creating skills, dug for metaphors for book cover visuals. Other than that I had an opportunity to implement illustration to some of my projects but I really do hope no one will ever see those projects of mine!Where did you grow up? I was born and raised in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Wonderful multicultural city surrounded by mountains in Central Asia. I moved to London when I was 16 to attend a Foundation Course at City University in Business Studies. Long story short, I left London almost six years later with a BA in Graphic Design.Do you have a childhood memory relating to drawing/art that you hold dear? I was that child who always loved to draw. As a child, I loved to use oil crayons, I tried painting with oils and acrylics, and sculpted from Plasticine. I’m not sure I have that childhood memory that I hold dear, but I’m sure I was lucky not to meet one of those people who scared your inner artist away when you’re a kid. I know so many people who’ve experienced this kind of trauma, it’s heartbreaking. Where do you live now and what drew you there? After an unsuccessful job search in Great Britain (as a Kazakhstan citizen I had to receive a special visa and it had to be sponsored by the company I'm working for. Which is almost an impossible condition for a Junior Designer), I found a job at the Leo Burnett in Moscow and moved there. A few years later I became a freelancer along with my partner in life, and 4 years after that I started my career as an illustrator. I moved my business back to Kazakhstan last year.Describe your studio for us Oh, nothing fancy! My working space is my desktop located in the living room. All the closets in the living room are stuffed with sketchbooks, which I promise myself (every Monday), to scan and free up some space. I always have an iPad on my desktop (my main working tool), laptop, three up-to-date sketchbooks (for commissions / personal sketches/ creative exercises), an ashtray, chargers for all devices and a pencil case with a million black liners and a dozen pencils. Also, I have an inspiration wall in front of me, with works of artists I admire or just some interesting/cute images I’ve collected while travelling. My workspace is always messy, which is a good thing. It means I don’t have an ongoing project if it’s tidy and neatly organised. Do you have a studio pet?I have my dog Luke (7 years old Maltese) and two cats – Pudding (old Scottish fold) and Jazz (a moggie that we rescued from the street). Who or What is your biggest inspiration? People, their ways of communication, ugly-beauty around me, vanitas, vintage documentaries/propaganda movies, cheap vintage toys. If you could collaborate with another artist or creative of any genre, living or dead, who would it be?I would definitely like to at least sit next to Lucien Freud while he paints and annoy him with questions. I would like to try on David Hockney’s sense of colour. I would love to play exquisite corpse with Alex Gamsu Jenkins.What’s your favourite way to spend a day off?I tend to have a long walk in a forest or in a park with my family almost every weekend. Long run on Sunday is a must as well:) Additional fun is to go bowling or play billiards, pub quiz to tickle my mind or to have a calm movie night paired with good wine and food. What's your most prized possession and why?I think it’s my vintage monkey with cymbals. I bought it with my first official salary. You probably remember the scene from The Simpsons, where such a monkey showed a void in Homer's head. When I feel like I can't think of anything creative and start to panic, I look at it and remember that I need to exhale. Good ideas can't come up in just 10 minutes!What causes are you passionate about?Pollution of the earth/water/air/space/Mars (on which man has not even landed yet). Animal Cruelty and poaching. Injustice towards all minorities. What was your favourite assignment ever?It was clearly the development of illustrations for the Guardian trailer at Glastonbury. This project was huge, challenging, fun and what’s important – developed my skills. I still can’t believe that I was lucky enough to be the illustrator on this project. But I am very pleased with the result.How do you separate your work life from your home life?I guess I don’t. As a freelancer you always work. Or you wait for work to come which means you do your personal projects to keep your social medias alive. I try to have some sort of a daily timetable where I have time to walk my dog, to do sports, to have lunch and dinner on time. Also, I try not to spend more than 4 hours in total during the weekend. Of course, if I have an urgent project I skip everything, but having a timetable and alarms on my phone helps. Who is your art hero? If I have to name only one, then I will say Lucien Freud. I just can’t get enough of his perception of human, emotions, symbolism. Also, when you look at his botanical paintings, you realise that he SAW plants, life in them, their fading. He makes me very emotional.If you were not an illustrator, what would you be? A billionaire! I always wanted to be a doctor or work in cancer research. That dream dissolved in my inner fear of not being smart enough for it. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? “Will you worry about it in a year?” and “Never listen to the advice of people you don't want to be like.” Oh and one more: “To win the lottery, you need to at least buy a ticket”. If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go? Antarctica, Greenland, South Africa, Tahiti. Have you any hidden talents? I am frighteningly good at recognising faces (shame I don’t have that advantage in name remembering). I can open a beer bottle with my teeth. It was a great ice breaker when I was a student! After paying my last dentist bill I decided not to practice it anymore. What is your go-to comfort food?Pasta with grated parmesan and tuna salad. THE BEST!What movie can you watch over and over?Amelie.What is the last show you binged?Succession Finale (awesome).What was the last exhibition you saw and loved? I go to exhibitions quite often, but All Too Human at Tate Britain (2018) impressed me so much that I still think about it and want to rewind the time to see it again. What is your favourite book?Tough one. I read all the time. My first thought was ‘Little Prince’ because I think this book made me a better person. Every time I read it I find something new for myself. And cry. Lot’s of crying. What is your go-to karaoke song?Oasis “Don’t Look Back in Anger".Do you have any tips/advice for other illustrators?Draw more. You don’t have to show everything, just try to draw daily. Self initiated projects are great for attracting new clients. The more you have, the more you can provide for future projects. Try not to overdose yourself with ‘inspiration’.What career advice would you give your younger self?Knock on all doors and don't be shy about it. Stop waiting for the "perfect" moment to make a statement and let people see what you're doing. Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you. Stop thinking for others and listen to as many other people's opinions as possible about what you are doing. This will be a great way to understand that everyone thinks differently and you cannot please everyone. Is there a work lesson you’ve had to learn the hard way?You have to come to terms with the fact that some projects suck, but you're already too caught up in it to escape. Sometimes it’s smarter just to let it go, finish the commission, move forward and never think of it again. What do you listen to when you work? My music taste is very random and that's why I'm always on the lookout for new tracks that I like. The algorithms of various services do not like me very much, so the search for new music is always a struggle. While generating ideas, I always work in silence. As soon as I start turning pencil doodles into more thoughtful sketches in Procreate, I turn on the music. If all the recommendations from Spotify annoy me, then I turn on Nina Simone Radio – this is a win-win. I'm very shy about sharing my music with people, but sometimes you have to step out of your comfort zone, so here's the link for you...
