Zosienka

I count myself very lucky to be friends with the talented Zosienka. She is an illustrator based in London and has the ability to make her drawings come to life in the most interesting ways. She has dabbled in many things from animation to craftwork, yet each project expresses her wonderfully unique voice. She kindly agreed to answer a couple of questions about herself and her work…

1. Tell me a little about your background- what lead you to do what you are doing now?

I grew up in South Africa and London, and spent my summers in Poland. The Polish side of my family is filled with artists. My mother is an illustrator and encouraged me to draw and took me to galleries from an early age. She has always kept me surrounded by visually riveting materials and books.

2. Foxes recur in your work. Why are you so fascinated by them?

It must have been something in the manner of the folklore fox that I always enjoyed. He hasn’t quite the malice of a wolf, yet can’t be trusted like a dog. The fox is an elegant animal with an intelligent expression. When foxes moved to the suburbs in London, I was intrigued by their mysterious ways. They probably filtered into my work at that time.

3. You have done illustrative work for the bands Bat for Lashes and Asbury. How did you approach the task and what were the challenges of working for friends?

Having worked creatively with these two musicians before their careers began, it was a simple and wonderful experience to work with them again professionally. Natasha is a great storyteller and sets a scene in which the illustrations can unfold. We based some of the drawings on my previous work so it followed naturally. Asbury used to keep all the scraps of my work that I had thrown away. He has given me the freedom to do anything at all which allowed me to experiment with more unusual styles.

4. What are you currently working on?

I am learning to make patterns. Also, setting up a Zosienka shop online and painting for an exhibition in summer.

5. Can you name a favourite project you worked on and why?

Working with Envelop recently has been fun. They print illustrations onto cotton products such as napkins, pillowcases or bags at their studio in Belgium. Many drawings from my past have found a new purpose.

6. What does a typical day entail for you?

An early start, twenty minutes meditation and then I spend the day at the studio, drawing or painting and listening to something or other to keep my mind in tune. In the late afternoon I pick up fruit and vegetables at the Ridley  Road Market and head home.

7. Where do you turn for creative inspiration?

In words more than images. Poems and short stories. Richard Brautigan is my food for thought. Having said that, early black and white photos often make a good start to a drawing.

8. What is your dream creative project?

I’ve always worked in tiny proportions and so I’d love to see my work on a large scale. Painting a shop or restaurant interior…that would be a dream project.

9. If you could have anyone you admired to tea, who would you invite?

Tove Jansson

Thank you so much Z.

This is an animation Zosienka did with her equally talented husband Andrew Gibbs. Its called Florian and its quite something. Go and have a look see…

Florian from Andrew Gibbs on Vimeo.

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