Agniya, Freelance Illustrator and Daydreamer from New York (Interview #26)

Welcome back to YourArtPath.com Artist Interview series, make sure to check them all out!

Hello Agniya, it’s a pleasure to have you here with us! Can you tell YourArtPath readers a little bit about your story and how you got started with art?

Hi, Thank you for having me! My name is Agniya Tolstokulakova and I am a freelance illustrator and daydreamer from New York.

Since the time that I can remember, art was always one of the ways I expressed myself, as a result, I decided to pursue my career as an illustrator and studied at School of Visual Arts.

What inspires you to create art? What’s the message that you are trying to share?

I believe that artists can speak without words. Art can erase any language barriers. I think it’s a real superpower.

So I strive to convey the sense of place, moment or person by capturing the
atmosphere/essence of it, rather than realistically rendering the composition in order to awake emotions and feelings.

What are your favorite mediums to work with? Why?

My illustrative style could be described as a love affair of dreamy inky washes, bold flat colors and grainy textures.

So a lot of my work is mixed medium, some of my favorites are ink, watercolor and digital.

What does your illustration process look like?

I like to think of illustration as visual poetry, I usually start by writing down ideas.

My sketchbook actually consists of 80% writing and only 20% drawing.

Then I move onto research and lose drawings, putting down ink washes and finalizing my illustrations using Procreate or Photoshop software on my laptop/Ipad.

I find that approaching art through writing helps me a lot to transform my conceptual thinking into visual content.

Where do You see yourself and your art career in 10 years?

I hope to create a lot of illustrations for good cause, work with charities and foundations.

And maybe publish my own children’s book!

If you could recommend only one book to all beginner artists, what would it be?

The Education of an Illustrator by Steven Heller (Editor), Marshall Arisman (Editor).

What are the 3 best tips you have for aspiring illustrators?

• Explore.
• Don’t chase any illustration trends – try to develop your own style.
• Surround yourself with like-minded individuals, create a community.

Any other art advice you would like to share?

Invest time in your practice.

If you want to have a career of a successful artist, you might want to start creating 9-5.

I promise it will pay off.

Thank you, Agniya!

Alright guys, make sure to follow her on Instagram:

Instagram: @agniya.t
Website: www.agniyat.com

.