Trickster Magazine

Your first drawings as a kid?

My mom was an art teacher (now retired), and she had me drawing from a very young age. One drawing I remember especially well is one I made of her, one day when she came home from work looking really tired. In the picture she ended up looking like a kind of femme Frankenstein, with huge bags under her eyes. She framed the drawing and hung it over our kitchen table. I felt like a real and important artist.

What do you think about when you draw?

It depends. I often listen to podcasts while I draw and look through screenshots I’ve saved of things that inspire me online. At this point, I have over 50,000 screenshots on my phone – mostly of cool girls and funny memes about femininity and life. I love drawing because, compared to writing, it feels so much more meditative. I can sit for hours, completely lost in the world I’m creating.

Is illustration a tool or an art form, and why?

For me, it’s both. Sometimes I get this urge to draw –an itch I just can’t shake. I realize a picture has started to build up inside me, and it becomes impossible to relax until I’ve drawn it out of my soul… or something.

How did you find your style?

At first, I copied a lot of my idols. I was obsessed with Liselotte Watkins’ drawings when I was younger and tried hard to make pictures like hers. I studied graphic design, but I was terrible at it – and all the vector illustrations I made were terrible too. Eventually, I realized I need to do almost everything by hand, because honestly, I suck at computer stuff.

Color or line?

Color is so hard to get right – so line?

Practice or talent?

Practice. It can be frustrating not to get it right immediately, but the process really teaches you a lot about life – if you surrender to it and work your way through an idea.

Your favourite artists in general? It could be anyone from any art field! Why these?

Lana Del Rey – She’s my favourite poet.

Tracey Emin – Her art has had a huge impact on me and how I look at art in general.

Melissa Broder – Her books changed my life.

Your favourite illustrators? Name at least 3.

Laura Laine – She’s unbelievably talented. I’ve idolized her style forever and was lucky enough to have her as a teacher in a fashion drawing class while I was studying. She was such an inspiring teacher.

Liselotte Watkins – She made me want to become a fashion illustrator, which was my dream for a long time.

Sanna Mander – Sanna’s style sparks joy, and her illustrations truly make the world a better and funnier place to live in.

Character or situation?

Character!

Your favourite places in the world?

I’ve only been there once, but I’ve read about it and dreamed about it a thousand times: the infamous Chateau Marmont.

Advice for beginners?

Learn the computer stuff and try to have as much fun as you can!

What do you need to have a productive workday?

Coffee. Alone time. And all my pretty, girlie things that set the vibe right – like great books, shells I’ve collected, pink objects, and posters by people I admire.

Do you think of drawing as of work or as fun?

Both. Mostly work, though – and sometimes the fun part can be tricky. But I’m always happy whenever I get the chance to draw, even if it’s for an annoying client.

Have you ever been stuck creatively, and how have you dealt with it?

So many times! But I love moods and vibes – so when I’m stuck, I make mood boards until find a vibe that get’s me going again. I hate to be this person, but yoga and walking also help! The most important thing is to create some space where new ideas can be born. I’ve been burned out so many times (not a flex), and that’s the worst – because my job is to come up with new ideas. When I’m overworked, the ideas just die.