We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Katrin Graphema. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Katrin below.

Alright, Katrin thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

Since the moment the dream of becoming an artist was born in my childhood heart, I embarked on a journey of exploring and developing my talent. At the age of eight, I enrolled in an art school, where I began immersing myself in the world of visual arts. This was followed by years of education at an art college and university. At each stage of this journey, I absorbed new skills: from the basics of drawing and painting to studying various techniques and styles, from academic workshops to experimenting with contemporary approaches to creativity.

Realizing that mistakes and failures are not obstacles but rather lessons on the path to improvement would have helped me accelerate the learning process. If I had understood from the beginning that each mistake is an opportunity to grow and enhance my skills, I would have approached creative challenges more openly and fearlessly. Additionally, having more courage in experimenting with different techniques and materials would have helped me expand my creative arsenal more quickly and accelerate my progress.

I believe that among all the skills necessary for successful work as an artist, understanding form and perspective is crucial. These aspects provide the foundation for creating convincing and expressive works of art. Furthermore, knowledge of compositional principles plays an important role in organizing elements of a work in a way that effectively conveys the intended mood and idea. However, the most essential part of the creative process is creativity, which allows an artist to find new approaches to solving creative tasks and imbuing their works with a unique character. Idea, creativity, and the ability to convey mood play a crucial role in creating a work of art, turning it not just into an image on canvas, but into a source of inspiration and inner enrichment for the viewer. Thus, an artist can convey a certain mood through their works, eliciting an emotional response from the viewer and prompting them to reflect on deep and meaningful matters.

On my journey to art, I faced numerous obstacles, including the fear of being misunderstood, judgments from others, criticism, and unpleasant evaluations. These factors could have stopped me if I had allowed them to. But I found the strength within myself to overcome these obstacles, realizing that true art cannot be defined by standards or the opinions of others, but comes from within, from the heart and soul of the artist.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My passion for art was born in my childhood when I first picked up a pencil. From the very beginning of my artistic journey, I attended art school where I learned not only to draw but also to develop my creative abilities. Throughout my education in art school and university, I acquired various skills, from mastering different drawing techniques to studying art history and composition. My creative work spans across various art forms, including airbrushing and painting. I specialize in creating unique designs, whether on canvas or on surfaces like helmets, snowboards, and cars. My style is diverse, ranging from bright and abstract compositions to detailed fantasy worlds.
My work addresses the challenge of finding original and expressive design. I help clients stand out from the crowd by creating unique images and characters on various surfaces that inspire new ideas and adventures. My unconventional imagination allows me to create mystical and captivating worlds that attract attention and provoke thought.
I take pride in my ability to create fantasy worlds, filling them with vibrant colors and unique characters. My work stands out because it is not only visually appealing but also has profound meaning and emotional intensity. I want potential clients to know that each of my works is not just an image but a whole world that comes to life under my airbrush and brush mastery.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

After graduating from university, I started working at a large publishing house, where I collaborated with various specialists for a long time. I was involved in creating illustrations, designing layouts for advertising materials, typesetting print publications, as well as creating layouts for web design.

It was an exciting and interesting job, but over time, I realized that something was missing. My creative freedom was limited by project requirements and the opinions of colleagues. I felt the desire to express myself differently, to find a new path for self-realization.

That’s when I discovered airbrushing. It was a turning point in my life, like a breath of fresh air. Working with an airbrush, I found unlimited freedom to express my ideas and feelings. I don’t have to adhere to strict rules or project requirements. I can simply immerse myself in the creative process and enjoy every moment.

Transitioning from working in a team to being an individual artist was not easy. I faced my own fears and doubts. But every failure and creative crisis became lessons and challenges for self-development.

Now I am grateful for my experience working in a team; it taught me collaboration and adaptation. But my thirst for creativity demanded more freedom, and I took the right step, opening up new horizons for myself in the world of art.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Studying various cultures, which I have been passionate about throughout my life, has had a profound influence on my thinking. From delving into ancient civilizations to exploring contemporary art movements, I have always sought to understand the diversity of human cultural expressions.

Observing the evolution of art across time and countries has allowed me to comprehend how it reflects the spirit of the times and cultural values. From the idealization of gods to the deep exploration of human nature, art becomes a mirror of society, reflecting its myths, hopes, and fears.

Technological progress, wars, revolutions— all these events have left their mark on art, reflecting changes in society and worldview. Studying these aspects enables me to better understand not only the great artists and sculptors but also the essence of human experience in various historical contexts.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.graphemart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katringraphema/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katringraphema
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDV_pXtTZ8TFBkyB5TT724w

Image Credits
Katrin Graphema