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

Anastasiia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Like many other illustrators, I have been keen on drawing since I remember. My grandfather’s collection of children’s books, including Anton Chekhov’s “Kashtanka,” fueled my passion for both art and literature, although I was puzzled over its classification as a children’s story

As a teen, the world of anime seriously influenced my artistic journey. At 15, I was pretty certain about pursuing a career in art. I was a “Jack of all trades” at school, my performance in all subjects was good, but my true calling was drawing. I started taking academic art classes, and it shattered my idea of being an artist completely. I found myself painting boring plaster spheres and still-lifes with pots and apples since my teacher wasn’t really impressed by my fan art of Sasuke.

I spent 4 years in art college which I still consider the best in my life. It was both the best and most challenging time. In a nutshell, I gained even more self-doubts and fears after graduating. I didn’t stop learning and went to a university, eventually earning a graphic design degree. But here’s the kicker – even after scoring two diplomas, I battled a severe art block for years, doubting my ability to create something truly unique.

In 2021, my artistic aspirations remained dormant. I scrolled through Pinterest, sighing at inspiring illustrations and speed paints. I was tempted to buy an iPad and give it a try, but the fear of wasting resources gnawed at me. What if I am not able to create and this pricey thing will gather dust without use? But I took a risk, and when I tried Procreate, something finally clicked. It may sound like ads, ha-ha, but it was an investment I never regretted.

Doubts, speculations, and fears consume more time and energy than taking action and learning from it. The worst outcome is it doesn’t work this time, but there are endless chances to try again. This simple idea, I wish I’d grasped earlier. The time I spent self-criticising could’ve been used to hone my skills, leading to faster progress.

Anastasiia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Anastasiia, a 25-year-old illustrator originally from Ukraine, now living in Norway. At the end of 2021, after fighting with a stubborn art block, I started my art page on Instagram with no expectations.

Fast forward about 1.5 years, I have illustrated a children’s picture book (which has not been published yet, but it will happen quite soon) and signed a contract with the Astound art agency. I can not quite call myself a full-blown professional illustrator just yet, as the income from my art is not enough to pay the bills. But I am proud to say that I finally have the ambitions and energy to make it work!

I draw digitally and use Procreate for all my work. My absolute favorite things to draw are animals and nature, and I have a soft spot for all things magical, cozy, and steeped in cottage-core and vintage aesthetics.

I’m currently dedicated to developing my children’s book illustrator portfolio and thinking about the idea of opening an online shop with prints, cards, and other goods. someday.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I started my account in December 2021 and today I have 18k followers, which is not that impressive. There have been ups and downs, often tied to Instagram’s app updates, like when they axed the ability to see recent posts under hashtags.

There is no versatile strategy and what works today might not tomorrow. However, building a small but supportive community is key. Encouraging fellow artists pays off, and it is good to have someone to share your journey with. Plus, art challenges are still a fantastic way to meet new people and get noticed. Once you’ve got a circle of trusty fellows, you can even start your own challenges together.

Of course, engaging with your audience, doing polls in your stories, and sharing glimpses of your everyday life are important. People love getting to know the person behind the art.

Instagram doesn’t really care about the quality of your art or how much time you spend on it. And yet, it stings when your heartfelt work gets less attention than a quick doodle. In short, it is about grabbing attention, making people click on your profile, and the ratio of comments, likes, and shares. Easier said than done, I know.

I am not breaking any news here, but reels do the trick for many artists. If you are still skeptical about them, it actually might be worth a try. Honestly, I am still figuring out how they work. I am not into chasing after all the early-trending sounds, but I keep an eye on tunes that pop up often and seem to be blowing up.

That said, you could be doing all the right things and still not see the results you want. Here is a little secret from my Reel insights – people watch about 7-8 seconds on average, and my reels get full attention for the first 2-3 seconds. It doesn’t mean that all other creators have the same statistics. I do not blame viewers for skipping my videos, as sometimes I find myself pointlessly scrolling through the best of art for the sake of scrolling. So, the point is to keep experimenting and learning and never doubt your creative abilities. Poor stats don’t determine the worth of your art, it may sound like cliché but it is true.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

As an illustrator eagerly awaiting my first book’s release, the most fulfilling part of this journey is the sense of self-worth it brings. It might sound a bit egotistical, but being an artist has always been my dream. Stepping closer to the childhood dream feels like everything I’ve lived for.

The creative process itself, from the initial idea to the final stroke, fills my life with purpose and meaning. It is a journey of self-discovery and self-expression, a way to express my identity. As an illustrator, I have the privilege of creating something unique and personal, of breathing life into a story. It is a kind of superpower, allowing spontaneity and experimentation.

I focus on illustrating children’s stories, but it’s not just for kids. I see it as a way to nurture the inner child in adults, including myself.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lapin.siia