We recently connected with Paola Cocchetto and have shared our conversation below.
Paola, appreciate you joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?
Actually, I think I did it just right. Having pursued a non-art related career path after graduation allowed me to have experience in a completely different field, and having a plan B is never a bad thing. Plus, my office job allowed me not only to make very unexpected human connections that ended up in art-related gigs, but also to have a stable income to become economically independent at a very young age, to attend illustration classes and to buy my favorite art supplies. Which can be expensive, since I’m a traditional artist!
Paola, 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?
Hey everyone! I’m Paola, a 32 yo watercolor illustrator from Italy.
Like many other creatives, I’ve been drawing since I was a child, but I only started taking it more seriously after I graduated high school. I always had to juggle my day job with my desire to grow as an artist, and despite not having too much time to devote to art classes and practice, I could never really put art aside: it really helps me wash the fatigue and stress of the day away, and find peace and solace.
After trying to approach editors and agents for a while, I realized I’m most comfortable with selling my own artworks and taking commissions from private customers. Being able to understand them and making them happy by bringing their ideas to life is such a blessing!
I would also love to make more merch of my artworks, like prints, pins, stickers and such, and I’m working towards that at the moment.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
When I started I had no idea there were platforms such as Domestika or Skillshare. I think they can be great resources for beginners, giving them a wide range of classes to choose from at a very affordable price. And not only art-related classes, but social media/marketing/accounting ones, which are just as important if you want to venture in this field as a professional!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Imagining a character, a landscape, even a feeling, and then being able to bring it to life… I think there’s something magical in all of this, and I love it! Plus, I often get told that my illustrations bring a smile to people’s face, and that they warm their heart. To me, there is no greater joy than knowing I can make someone forget about their troubles, even if just for a second!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/picocchetto.jpg/
Image Credits
Paola Cocchetto