Chikovnaya Store on TheHungryJPEG is one of the stores that often produce sacred and magical illustrations in geometric design. Her unique illustrating forms are brilliant and notable. As an experienced designer in the creative field, Irina has created over 100 designs on Chikovnaya throughout the years. Read more about Irina in our interview session below;
Could you tell us about yourself?
My name is Irina. I am a professional artist. I used to work as a designer and photographer in a photo studio. After giving birth to my children, I began to draw illustrations for stock photos and now, it’s my main income. During my free time, I like to illustrate children’s fairy tales and weave Macramé.
How long have you been in this industry?
I have been in this industry for 5 years and above.
When did you know you wanted to pursue designing and start selling it?
I’ve always been drawn to digital illustration. I love the opportunities that modern technology has offered to me. I can share my arts on online platforms and other people can use my illustrations. Whenever I go to any store, I like to see products or clothes with my illustrations printed on them.
What inspires you the most? Where do you get your inspiration?
I love it whenever my clients use my illustrations in their designs. I am inspired by their pleasant words and the feedback they wrote to me.
I look for new ideas and inspiration in simple things. I like to walk in the woods during summer and autumn; that is when I get to smell the dampness of the moss. I will make up different stories in my head and sometimes write them down.
There is some kind of magic in the forest. In such an atmosphere, I want to be a part of something sacred and mystical. This is probably how I came up with all these geometric sacred collections.
Are you a traditional or digital artist? What are your preferred mediums to create your designs and graphics?
Since I’ve received two art educations, traditional art is closer to me and I show good results in specialized disciplines. During my free time, I pay attention to physical work. But most of the time, I prefer digital art. I am working on my iPad and my preferred mediums will be Adobe Illustrator and Procreate.
Could you describe your design style?
The main theme of my store is the vector of sacred signs and symbols. Since I like many themes and styles, I would love to try and experiment more often to create collections with characters or with spots of paint.
What is your favorite part of the designing process?
Most of all, I like the drawing process itself. Sometimes, I get so carried away that I forget to eat or sleep without feeling tired. On the other hand, I’m not so interested in decorating collections, and sometimes I don’t have enough strength and patience to decorate. I think I could devote more time to this.
Have you ever experienced creative blocks before? How did you handle it?
Every time I finish working on a collection, I will feel empty. I seem to drop out of their lives. And I will look for a new theme as soon as possible to create a collection and start painting again. I love to live in this creation flow. It looks like an addiction.
Irina’s Favorite from Chikovnaya Store
Do you have any advice or tips for future graphic designers out there?
For me, as an artist, it is important to have an absolute and immeasurable love for what you do. After all, in order to achieve success, you need to practice every day because without practicing, you will lose any skills that you have.
Secondly, keep viewing the work of other artists and current trends. Nowadays, there are a lot of modern illustrators who you can look up to admire their form and illustrations as well as their aesthetic taste.
If there is something you wish The Hungry JPEG could do for you, Tell us.
I wish there were more options for purchasing licenses. Have personal and commercial product license options.
More on Chikovnaya
Irina’s strong belief in magical and mystical elements inspire her to keep creating more designs and maintaining the themes for her store. If you browse through Chikovnaya on TheHungryJPEG, you will get to see tons of astonishing geometric and sacred designs that you can use for your next project. Visit Chikovnaya now to discover more and find your new favorite design. Till then!
