We recently connected with Margarita Fomenko and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Margarita, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I’ve always been interested in art; my high school art teacher, who was incredibly passionate about what she was doing, made a significant impact on me. However, with no one in my family having an art background, it was challenging to envision a career in that field. We also didn’t have career counselors in my country, so seeking guidance wasn’t an option. As a result, I went to a technical university and worked in the logistics field after graduation.

In 2014, I moved from Russia to the USA, and due to visa limitations, I couldn’t work, so I decided to dedicate all my free time to learning what I had always dreamed of. I didn’t attend art school or college, but I took various classes to explore different mediums and completed many art classes online. I practiced every day, learning through mistakes and refining my skills. I did art almost 24/7, exploring different mediums like watercolor, markers, pastels, acrylics, and more. Though I fell in love with watercolors, which remains my passion. Doing art almost all the time brought me joy, comfort, and excitement. I started participating in local exhibitions and saw that not only did I get joy from my artwork, but so did the people who viewed it. That’s when I realized that I wanted to create art professionally.

Margarita, 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?

During my 10-year art journey as a self-taught artist, I’ve explored various fields, including watercolor fine art (landscapes and portraits), digital game art (3D and 2D), and children’s book illustrations. The latter has become my passion and primary focus, as there’s something incredibly special about witnessing the joy and excitement in children’s eyes as they explore my illustrations. Their happiness drives me, and I’m dedicated to bringing the magic of joy through my art.

While working with clients, I strive to establish close collaboration to understand how the author envisions the story, ensuring that each project develops a unique style. My main goal is to be the voice of the authors, empowering them to visualize their stories as they desire. I truly enjoy the collaborative aspect of my work, which helps to create a unique product.

Currently, I work as a part-time senior illustrator at a private math school for children, which allows me to channel my creativity into educational content. The rest of my time is dedicated to freelancing, where I create children’s books and various other design projects. This balance gives me the flexibility to explore different creative avenues while ensuring I can work on projects that truly inspire me. Additionally, freelancing allows me to continuously learn and adapt, keeping my skills sharp and my work diverse.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Non-creatives may find it challenging to understand the emotional and personal investment in creative work. For me, each illustration is not just a piece of art but a culmination of passion, dedication, and hours of refining skills and ideas. The process involves not only technical expertise but also emotional engagement. It’s not just about creating something visually appealing; it’s about connecting with audiences on a profound level, whether it’s children exploring their imaginations through a book or clients seeking to communicate a specific message.

Generating creative ideas on a regular basis can be tough at times, underscoring the importance of taking breaks to recharge. You cannot force yourself to be creative if you don’t feel like that. It’s essential to listen to yourself and give yourself a break. Switching to another medium, different type of work or even taking vacation sometimes is just necessary.

Have you ever had to pivot?

For four years, I focused on creating fine art with watercolors, specializing in custom pet and people portraits, landscapes, and seascapes. This was my full-time endeavor at the beginning of my career. However, it was challenging to envision how I could make a sustainable living from it. I genuinely enjoyed the work, but I struggled with the financial aspect. I had to think of a different path that could satisfy both my need for income and my passion for art. That’s when illustration came into play and started doing some part-time freelance projects to learn and explore the new field. However, it was the lucky circumstances that helped me to find my real passion creating illustrations for children. I got contacted by people working in math school for kids and offered me a job as a part-time illustrator.

While I still create landscapes and portraits with watercolor, it has become more of a hobby, something I do for myself as a form of meditation. I still enjoy it as much as I did 10 years ago, but I don’t do it as regularly because I dedicate most of my time to illustration and learning new skills, mediums, and domains. This pivot allowed me to find a balance between financial stability and personal fulfillment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mfomenko.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritiks_art/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margarita-fomenko-a01327186/
• Other: https://www.behance.net/mfomenko
  https://www.artstation.com/mfomenko