Pretty pictures for your peepers? We've got them right here. And it's all thanks to the clever hands of Ukraine artist Nastia Sleptsova.



What is your name and how old are you? Hello, my name is Nastia Sleptsova, I am 28 now.

Where were you born and where do you live now? I was born and grew up in Crimea, Ukraine. But almost two years ago I moved to Lviv – a beautiful old town, situated in the west of Ukraine. The roots of my family are from this place, and my boyfriend loves this city so much, so we decided to move to start a new life in a new place we both love.

How does where you live affect your art? I grew up in Crimea, a place full of nature: mountains, forests, sunny fields, the Black Sea that I love so much, a lot of ancient monuments of life, historical places, beautiful southern flora. But I used to see a lot of tourists there, so I usually went to the sea in the middle of the season. Empty seasides, the voices of the seagulls, the smell of the sea waves, a lot of air around me and quiet time, which I love so much – these pictures and feelings are still in my head, and naturally they appear in my works. Lviv is full of interesting events, and of course it motivates me to be more productive and creative as an artist here. I feel more actual here, meet new people, find new information and inspiration in local characters, traditions of living, etc.



How did you get started with this medium? I make my illustrations in Photoshop using Wacom tablet. I bought it a few years ago from one of my first commercial orders and I really appreciate it, because in earlier times I tried to mix some hand techniques with digital post-work, but I didn’t feel comfort enough. The tablet is a really great instrument for me.

Please describe the space where you do most of your creation – whether it’s your art studio or kitchen bench! I work at home. My working place is very simple: just a comfort table, my big bright monitor and my Wacom tablet and sketchbook with a simple pencil and good music as background. And a glass of water on my table to drink. That’s enough, and that’s all I need to work, but of course I prefer to have close to me some little important things: pictures on the wall, some tiny souvenirs, plants and some incense for inspiration and concentration.

What makes your work unique and truly your own? Well, it’s hard to tell, but I guess it’s some specific colour palette, recognisable textures, and scenes that I choose to draw.

What kinds of ideas and things are you working on at the moment? I have some commercial orders at the moment, and requests from the music bands to make pictures to their music. And of course, my personal projects: landscapes, houses, living scenes. At the moment I’m accumulating visual material and my impressions from last period.



If you were to teach an art appreciation class, what kind of lessons would you try to teach your students? To be honest, I have a small experience of being a teacher. After graduating from university I had a few months practice in school, where I taught 7 to 10-year-old children. I was younger and I didn’t feel myself in the right place. I think to be a teacher is to have more wisdom, more experience from life, more freedom inside, which comes with age. And of course, to have a passion to teach, to give, to share, not always taking back. But If I were a teacher now, I would try to make my lessons very varied – with music, video installations, huge visual backgrounds. I think it’s very important to feel the art in all its variety and diversity, from early childhood. It all will return in the future.

What do you wish you knew about being an artist before you got started? At the beginning I worked so hard without any idea if someday I would reach some level or I would be paid for my works. Maybe, before I started, I would love to hear from some heavenly voice that everything will be OK, sooner or later.

Are there any other mediums that you’d like to experiment with? Yes, I would love to make more experiments with hand-drawing, mixing it with the digital techniques I use. I am interested in screenprinting; I would love to get some workshops with this technique. Also, maybe one day I would love to make some large works with my illustration, maybe on the wall in stylish interiors or outside.

What’s the coolest art tip you’ve ever received? “Make a choice: are you a grey mouse, or coloured.” It’s about self-identity and making personal choices in your art life.

What would you be doing if you weren’t making art? I believe I would work close to the art/design sphere; maybe curating, managing or organising some creative events, exhibitions, workshops, etc. But if I use my imagination, I can see myself in the garden among plants, so maybe I can imagine myself as a gardener (despite the fact that I know nothing about science).



Where can we see more of your work? nastia-sleptsova.tumblr.com