We were lucky to catch up with Marko Palushi recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Marko, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I was always the type of kid that was drawing or making doodles in empty pages and margins. I have many memories of that growing up, sketching things out like characters and monsters from Yu-Gi-Oh with a box of cheap off-brand sharpies from the dollar store on copy paper. Though out middle school, and high school I would keep to this habit, always having a new obsession from another TV show or video game that I could reference from. I really wanted to do this my whole life, had dreams of making art for games or creating my own comic. But I didn’t grow up with many creative people, and was heavily discouraged from pursuing the arts. I would hear the classic things, that it’s a poverty career and that I need to shake off my hobbies and learn a trade. Even having some artists in my family, we were poor immigrants from Albania so a job where I could draw and paint seemed like it was something for the more fortunate. So I unfortunately caved.

I entered community college right after graduating school, and quickly registered with a major in product design with a focus in CAD drafting for the car industry in Detroit, where I lived. It wasn’t something I hated and it gave a perception of a well-paying career that I could get into. But I was never content with it… I remember even venting to a friend and telling them that I wasn’t sure if this was my calling. My program added a new major that had the same focus, but pivoting towards automotive sculpting. At first I thought this was great! It seemed like it was a marriage of engineering and creativity, and something I fit in perfectly – and I performed wonderfully in each project! I graduated with my associates and promised myself to get a job with this, and use the money to provide for a bachelors in art. The problem? I got my foot into the industry multiple times, even an internship with a larger company and I absolutely hated it. The culture was frustrating, creativity felt controlled and cornered, and most importantly – I felt that this was not calling. This was not me.

During that part of my life, I really stopped drawing almost entirely. I did not realize how discouraged I was until later, that I just put it behind me. However, while I was still working on my associates I had some free elective spots, so I took a figure drawing class out of fun. While not as often, I noticed myself filling out notes with doodles. That class gave me the first spark of creativity that I had in years at that point. That spark carried on, grew more with my frustration with my career, and after a serious break up, it just exploded. I wanted to take control of my life, and be happy no matter the risks. With that, I dedicated myself to going to art school, and pursue what I knew I always had a passion for, in a city I always wanted to live in. Despite all the struggle and tears, 5 years later I’m now an illustrator with a piece of paper to prove it and I have no regrets now that I know my place.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Growing up with the influence of video games, anime, and comics – a huge reason why I chose illustration as my profession is that it’s a creative field that is expansive and full of variety, which would allow me to explore all my interests. I’m also the type of person that loves finding different ways to make things or new mediums to explore my ideas, and as the field keeps evolving it keeps me excited.

Concept art and key illustrations are my bread and butter, but my passion in it lies with the characters I’m making. I love to draw figures, and I love to develop the ideas in those characters I’m building. I like to play with their designs by digging for inspiration in the wild styles of anime in the 90s and early 2000s, and break some archetypal visual norms for characters in their fashion and appearance. This plays heavily in how I make my own characters, but are my personal notes I like to splash on commissioned work. I would personally call this my strength as this is where my excitement is sourced from!

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

Honestly – the reward of being an artist is the freedom. Not to sound corny about it; but, I really mean it. Before I wasn’t content with the path I chose and I felt choked as if this is the only thing I will ever be able to do. As an artist however, especially early in my career I feel like I will always be able to explore different avenues to express myself and the stories I want to tell. I’ve been inspired by former teachers that began working in animation, to finding success with their passion in fine art. I also have flexibility in what I can achieve in my career, such as now while I search for my studio dream job, I’m also able to work freelance by taking on commissions or creating merchandise to sell at conventions. It’s really a profession that will take you where you want to go as long as you desire it, and it’s very much a satisfying feeling.

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

Artists weren’t born with a pencil in our hand and the ability to draw everything in detail. Speaking for myself only, I feel that whenever I hear the term “talent” discounts the effort I’ve put in as a gift I’ve been given. While being complimented by being called talented is very flattering and appreciated, our skill comes from time, practice, and love for the craft. While it is true that there are some people out there have abilities that truly are so fascinating that you could only describe them as talent – but I’m just a regular guy that likes to draw! And my ultimate point is that everyone has the ability to be creative within them, and that there are countless ways to express it including drawing. Just give it a shot, enjoy the process and see where the journey takes you. Maybe you might find you have something special! :)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://markopalushi.myportfolio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vedas_virtue/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marko-palushi/
• Twitter: https://x.com/VedasV2

Image Credits

All images are created by Marko Palushi, myself.