Trickster Magazine

Your first drawings as a kid?

I remember drawing some character with a big chef hat but without hands, because I didn’t know how to draw them yet. My older brother thought it looked really funny and drew his version of that same chef dude next to mine.

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

It can be both!

What do you think about when you draw?

Honestly, I try not to think at all and just draw whatever comes to mind in that moment. I tune out from the real world when I draw, and it’s especially calming during times when I’m stressed or anxious.

How did you find your style?

I have always been inspired by alternative and punk music visuals. Looking at my brothers’ CD and cassette collections as a kid shaped my understanding of cool illustrations and graphic design. Older, frame-by-frame animated cartoons have also influenced me a lot.

Color or line?

Line first, always. Color comes later, if at all.

Character or situation?

I usually think of a character first and then draw other details around it.

Practice or talent?

Growing up everyone always told me that I have a talent for drawing but I never felt that I’m too good at it. At some point when I was a teenager, I actually stopped drawing for years until I started working as a graphic designer. I thought that being able to create illustrations for my designs would make things easier for me. There is still lots to learn and the practice will never end.

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

Cooper B Handy’s music and music videos have been hitting the right spot for me. He has a very unique approach that is hard to describe.
Mark Winter as well, he’s regarded as the pioneer of eggpunk. Around 10 years ago, he started recording his music onto cassette tapes and selling them hand to hand. A few of the buyers started uploading his work on Youtube. Some newer bands in this genre have now been getting proper record label deals etc, while Mark is still staying under the radar. I have always been drawn to humbleness and I respect artists like him who are truly sticking to their own thing and not looking for fame or money.
I also need to shoutout my dearest Marii Kiisk because if I were a photographer then I would want to take photos exactly like she does.

Your favourite illustrators? Name at least 3.

Kogancult, couple2tree, secret.cobra.information, Ingmar Järve, kar1minal, Bill Connors.

Your favourite places in the world?

I still prefer Estonia to any other place because of its nature and quietness. Though I’d like to go to Manchester again.

Advice for beginners?

Keep doing your own thing. Be open to criticism but always trust your own gut.

What do you need to have a productive workday?

A clear mind. Gym or walk in the morning, as it's always the best start for a productive day.

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

It’s mostly fun for me, even if I do it as work.

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

I’m stuck creatively all the time, and usually I just push through it. Most of the time it works but from time to time I also just need to give myself a little break. As far as I’ve noticed, the best cure for it is a healthy lifestyle, which I’m also very bad at.