#designbyhumans

Sohnyahh describes her art as “organized chaos” that allows her to channel her emotions and the disorder around her into something more organized, clear, and understandable. She says that art is a form of expression that helps her “understand certain aspects of life that I couldn’t put into words”; it lets her make sense of the “complexities of different emotions” in a way that she otherwise could never hope to do.

Sonia grew up in Zurich, Switzerland and enjoys the “quiet, visual” aspect of the creative process. She finds a sense of calm while drawing or making digital collages and she understands that the “alone time, sort of recharging my batteries and gaining energy” helps her find peace. However, she also gets inspiration from friends and nature and is hoping to travel more in the future.

Sohnyahh’s work is inspired by the artist, Suehiro Maruo, because she appreciates “how his work is complex yet simple, and always leaves me wondering.” This has helped Sonia recognize that “not everything needs to have a meaning” a concept that she continues to struggle with but says it’s important to “just keep drawing” and “just keep doing what you are doing.” Sonia believes that this is the most valuable advice an artist can be given and she says it encourages her own creative process.

Follow Sonia Kolner on Instagram at Sohnyahh.

If you want to shop all of Sohnyahh’s designs, check them out here.

We chatted with featured artist @nikury​ recently about their inspiration and experiences as an artist! You can check out their DBH store here! 

DBH: Where are you from?
I’m originally from Finland, but have been living in the Netherlands for almost two years now.

DBH:  How would you best describe your art style?
Oh, this is a hard question! I’m into many different art styles and mediums and firmly believe in not restricting myself from one if I feel like trying out a different art style or medium as I believe this is good for my artistic development and also makes me happy. I’m not a big fan of hyper realistic art though so all of my artworks are stylized, cartoony or cute.

DBH: Where do you find your inspiration when creating your art?
I find inspiration everywhere! I don’t need to look for inspiration, but instead have too many ideas all the time. Most of my inspiration comes from the nature, from the games that I play and from the inspiring fellow artists who I follow in social media.

DBH: When did you know you wanted to make a career in the art world?
I’ve wanted to be an artist for as long as I can remember and loved drawing when I was a kid. Later in life I faced lots of hardships. These hardships and the feeling that my art is not good enough led me into a dark path of not making almost any art for quite a few years. Then something great happened. I got an opporturnity to take a long break from work, backed my bags and traveled around Southeast Asia for 8 months. Suddenly, I was filled with joy and happiness and slowly started to also draw again and realized how big source of happiness art is for me. I made a promise to myself to continue doing art, flew back to Finland, quit my job and applied to study game art in university, games being my other passion in life. I just graduated last Christmas and started my own one man art company this year and even though the journey of getting to the point where I am now has not been easy and there’s still hard days, I’m happy because I can now, and hopefully also in the future, do what I love as a living.

See more of Nikury’s Art Here

This week we chatted with @littleclyde! Read our interview below or shop their DesignByHumans store here! 

DBH: Where are you from?
LC:I grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii, but now live in Berlin, Germany.

DBH: How would you best describe your art style?
LC: Narrative and a bit whimsical. Mostly (but not always) digital meets analog. I work with a lot of clean shapes and lines combined with watercolor textures.

DBH:Where do you find your inspiration when creating your art?
LC: I’d say it’s a combination of the world around me and a stream of consciousness that comes out in random doodles that I turn into more finished work. I’m also very inspired by the natural world – landscapes, plant life, animals – as well as by geometry and form. Nostalgia for my childhood in Hawaii plays a big role as well.

DBH: When did you know you wanted to make a career in the art world?
LC: Honestly, I never thought I could make a career out of it! I always considered myself a random doodler at best – it wasn’t until sites like DBH started exploring the crowd-sourcing frontier that I found an actual outlet for my work and, more importantly, a reason to keep working and improving.

DBH: How does art impact your day to day life or your impression of the world as a whole?
LC: I suppose I look at things more carefully sometimes. I appreciate colors and shapes and lines in the environment around me. I’m constantly collecting ideas for designs when I’m out and about.

DBH: What does a day of creating artwork look like for you and how to you start your creative process?
LC: My creative process is all over the place, it’s not very disciplined. And it rarely happens in a day. Most of the time, I’ll start out doodling while watching tv or talking on the phone. If I’m lucky, I’ll see something on the page that I like and want to take further. I may make some more sketches, or go directly to drawing on the computer with my graphic tablet. Usually I’ll spend a long time tweaking the composition and color scheme. If I need new textures I’ll bust out the paints and do some painting. This all happens over a few days, or I’ll start something and put it aside and come back to it much later.

DBH: When you’re not creating, what do you like to do with your time?
LC: I have a five year old, and I love watching her observe and define the world around her. Traveling with her and watching her experience new things is amazing and inspiring. On the flip side, having a five year old is also exhausting, so I love having free time to just chill out and read, watch tv, go out to eat with my husband, drink a beer in the sun and be lazy.

DBH: What artist (either current or past) do you most admire and why?
LC: Of one my favourites has always been Paul Klee. I love the humour in his work and the way he plays with shapes and forms. His work can be so scratchy and doodly and absurd, but also very sophisticated and he does such beautiful things with geometry, color and texture.

DBH: What’s the best advice that’s been given to you as an artist?
LC: Keep at it, and eventually you will define your own style. Let yourself be inspired by other artists but don’t copy – keep refining and exploring until what you create is truly your own.

Shop Little Clyde’s DesignByHumans store here!

Shop Jack Teagle’s design in their Design By Humans Store!

DBH: Where are you from?
Jack Teagle: I’m from the UK, I live in the South West, in Cornwall.

DBH: How would you best describe your art style?
Jack Teagle: Deceptively simple. I like creating bold, eye catching imagery in a naive way. I can focus my drawing ability when I want to though, and I like to keep a balance between detailed pen work, acrylic paintings and the more graphic digital work.

DBH: Where do you find your inspiration when creating your art?
Jack Teagle: I take it from anywhere I can. I used to keep scrapbooks of comics I cut up as a kid, posters, odd toys I grew up with, anything that had a lasting impression on me. I love the work of cartoonists Gary Panter, Jack Kirby and Julie Doucet, and the Fort Thunder Collective. I love outsider art like Daniel Johnston’s work, Bruce Bickford’s animation, Howard Finster’s paintings. Anything visceral, with a lot of personal vision.

DBH: When did you know you wanted to make a career in the art world?
Jack Teagle: Since I started to take notice of art on book covers, album covers, art on the things I enjoyed as a kid like video game box art. I used to really like concept art and old science fiction art books.

DBH: How does art impact your day to day life or your impression of the world as a whole?
Jack Teagle: It’s impacted my entire life. I work full-time as a freelance illustrator, I exhibit my paintings and I’ve had my comics published all over. I’m always working on something. It’s just an integral part of who I am at this point. When I had full-time jobs, I was still making things all the time, in the background.

DBH: What does a day of creating artwork look like for you and how to you start your creative process?
Jack Teagle: For personal work, I tend to make it when I don’t hear anything from a client, or I’m waiting for approval on freelance jobs. If I know I have a free day, I try to plan to work for as long as possible. Time is precious. I’ll tend to go to the gym half way through the day to break things up, run some errands, and I’ll usually finish up work at 2AM if I’m really into something.

DBH: When you’re not creating, what do you like to do with your time?
Jack Teagle: I try to go to the gym as often as I can, just general exercise. I like going for walks with my girlfriend, taking photos of nature while we’re out and about. I love reading comic books, I play video games when I can find the time, and I love cult films. The kind of films that had a real vision.

DBH: What artist (either current or past) do you most admire and why?
Jack Teagle: Possibly Henry Darger. His work was discovered after his death, so for him it was just for himself. He created an entire world with his body of work. It’s imaginative, and in Darger’s own way, highly spiritual. I was lucky enough to see some of his original art at the American Folk Art Museum in New York ten years ago, and it’s always left a lasting impression on me.

DBH: What’s the best advice that’s been given to you as an artist?
Jack Teagle: I’m not sure if anyone has ever given me any real advice, but I’ve definitely had to learn from a lot of my mistakes. I’ve had to learn a lot from time-wasters and people that try to exploit you.

I suppose my advice would be to try to remain positive, and do what’s best for yourself. Clients, companies and other artists are not looking out for your best interests, only you can do that for yourself. You’ll avoid burnout, exploitation and frustration. Don’t bind yourself to a set way of making images. Experiment but always focus and try your best. You’ll never know where your work can take you. It’s all about balancing your expectations, and ego. Work smart and work hard.

Check out Jack Teagle’s store here!

Shop NoviluniumEyes’ designs here!

DBH: Where are you from?
@noviluniumeyes​ - Hello everyone! I was born and raised in Bergamo a city that I “Odio et amo” (translation: I hate and love). It is a beautiful medieval town near Milan, Italy.

DBH: How would you best describe your art style?
Starting from the assumption that drawing has always been a true “language” to me that I use to express myself to others. Over time my art has grown with me transforming into mature symbolism, sometimes concealed, researched, understandable or incomprehensible. I find that “symbolic” and “personal” are the right words to describe my style and my themes.

DBH: Where do you find your inspiration when creating your art?
My inspiration comes from several factors. First of all, what enters into my emotional sphere is an inspiration, even just one object can arouse something like an image. I do a lot of research and also the work of other artists (more capable than me) inspires me to improve my illustrations.

DBH: When did you know you wanted to make a career in the art world?
Probably ever since I can remember. I have done artistic studies and after many highs/lows my project Novilunium Eyes was born about two years ago.

DBH: How does art impact your day to day life or your impression of the world as a whole?
My illustrations are my shelter, my home, what makes me feel good and bad when they are missing. I read the world and I transfer it to the paper, I am what I illustrate and what surrounds me.

DBH: What does a day of creating artwork look like for you and how do you start your creative process?
I do not have a real creative process, but let ideas flow free. I do some sketches. In some cases I’m developing them while in others I set aside the idea to develop later.

DBH: When you’re not creating, what do you like to do with your time?
It’s hard to stop drawing, but usually I read, go out, cook (I make good cookies). I always invent a new recipe. Lately I started to clay and I’m learning how to model jars.

DBH: What artist (either current or past) do you most admire and why?
Hard to say. Having an artistic education, I’ve learned that there is always a cue, a detail of some artistic currents that I’m interested in, whether it’s a brushstroke, an artistic revolution, an installation…I usually love the world of tattooing and I try to take inspiration from that reality.

DBH: What’s the best advice that’s been given to you as an artist?
The best advice comes from a person who has always been alongside me, my sister who has never stopped believing in me and has always pushed me to do my best in the world of art and life. It has not always been easy, but having her in my life has made me realize that I am very lucky to have a person like her next to me. Believe in yourself and keep trying.

Shop NoviluniumEyes’ designs here! 

Check out our interview with this week’s featured artist @camissao​!
Then, check out her DBH store here

DBH: Where are you from?

Camille: I’m from France and currently live in the UK.

DBH How would you best describe your art style?
Camille: Minimalist and digital, mostly with surreal settings

DBH: Where do you find your inspiration when creating your art?
Camille: I’ve been influenced by my environment and dreams since I was young. I’m also quite an observant person. I stop a lot to look at things that interest or intrigue me.

DBH: When did you know you wanted to make a career in the art world?
Camille: I was quite young! I remember wanting to be an art teacher when I was around 8 and when I became a teenager I realised I wouldn’t have the patience to do it.

DBH: How does art impact your day to day life or your impression of the world as a whole?
Camille: Like I said, I observe my surroundings a lot. You see the light in different ways, colours, people etc. But it’s not just visual observations, I think it’s atmosphere overall, like the different smells depending on seasons for example.

DBH: What does a day of creating artwork look like for you and how to you start your creative process?
Camille: In any case, I will always take the time to stop everything I’m doing and If it’s for myself, I have notes where I write down all my ideas. I usually pick the one that inspires me most on that day, do a quick sketch, then do the illustration.think, a lot. If it’s for myself, I have notes where I write down all my ideas. I usually pick the one that inspires me most on that day, do a quick sketch, then do the illustration. If it’s for a client I usually work from whatever material they need me to and do some brainstorming. Then the process becomes pretty much the same as for myself.

DBH: When you’re not creating, what do you like to do with your time?
Camille: I like to spend it with friends and loved ones. Going for walks, to museums, exhibitions, for drinks, for nice food, travelling if I can etc… I also like to watch movies, play video games and read stories (fiction or non-fiction). Nothing that might sound over-exciting but I think it’s a matter of how you enjoy things, and not what you enjoy. You could do the most interesting things in the world but if you act like you’re not fussed about it, it’s not going to make you excited about life.

DBH: What artist (either current or past) do you most admire and why?
Camille: The first person that came to mind was Van Gogh. I absolutely love his work, very distinctive. I also have a lot of sympathy for his personal life and I think he is a great example of the stigma that was, and still is sometimes, placed around mental health.

DBH: What’s the best advice that’s been given to you as an artist?
Camille: Try, a lot, and do things. Keep on learning new things, keep on doing until it feels right. Then do it again because you need to get out of your comfort zone. I don’t always have as much time as I’d like to learn new techniques but I’m getting there.

German artist Mirco Tomicek aka MTVenom brings his detailed illustrations to life using both the traditional medium of quill and ink and his graphic tablet.  

Over the years Mirco has drawn artistic inspiration from the likes of artists Pushead and Godmachine as well as from listening to music. “I always listen to music while drawing,” he tells us, “this is where my inspiration comes from.”  When asked about the artist he most admires, Mirco tells us it’s his father for teaching him how to draw, showing him artistic tricks, and for offering advice to this day. 

Mirco’s best advice to aspiring artists is “Practice, practice, practice! With every sketch you make, you will learn more and more and your skills will get better.”

Shop all of MTVenom’s products here!

Shop Coral Antler’s DesignByHumans store here!

Q: Where are you from? 

I’m from South Alabama, bordering Florida. It’s crazy hot there but beautiful. I’ve always felt out of my element there so I recently moved to North East Wisconsin last year and I love it. Everything is so different than the South, and I love the culture and weather change! 

Q: How would you best describe your art style? 

I’ve always had a hard time describing my style. I don’t like labels so I guess I’m a bit of a free-spirited artist. I just do what comes to me in the moment. Eclectic has always been a good word for describing myself so maybe that works for my design style too.

Q: Where do you find your inspiration when creating your art? 

Mother nature in all of her forms. I love spending time in nature and it’s definitely started coming out into my pieces in the last couple years. All of my pieces always can relate to the earth in some way or another and that is always my first thought when I start creating.

Q: When did you know you wanted to make a career in the art world?

I’ve been an artist since I was a child and it’s always been my passion. I always knew I wanted to have a career in art and design. I took so many art classes in high school that I was often in AP classes by myself. I ventured into massage school, which is just another form of art. Then I was a street artist, a photographer (still am), and the art director for a magazine. Now I have many revenues of income for my art and I own a web design company. So I guess I never really got out of it. It’s always been what I’m good at and what I’d look for when finding jobs before deciding to work for myself. Now I have complete freedom to create anything I’d like!

Q: What does a day of creating artwork look like for you and how do you start your creative process?

I don’t have a schedule. Like I said earlier, I just do what comes to me. So that means I only create new art when I’m in the zone, whether that be once a week or several times a day. I don’t force myself to create anything. I usually end up on Pinterest to get the juices flowing, then I wait for it to come to me and then let my imagination take over. If you are a creative type you will understand what I mean, lol. When it’s nice out I will lay in the grass and draw. There’s something about connecting with nature while you’re creating inspired pieces that is magical.

Q: What artist (either current or past) do you most admire and why?

I actually have several artists that I love and I find them on Instagram. I love nature inspired art so that’s what I usually resonate with. Some of my favorites right now are Copper Corners, Hannah Adamaszek, and Kayti Luna.

Q: What’s the best advice that’s been given to you as an artist? 

Create what makes you happy. Art is about expressing yourself and is great therapy. If it becomes stressful it’s not worth doing.

Shop Coral Antler’s DesignByHumans store here! 

This week we got to chat with Euge, the creator of @pugliepug Pug! If you’re not familiar with adventures of this cute ball of floof here’s a quick Puglie history lesson.

Puglie is the adorable creation of Euge Leung, a Canadian artist who started out selling their artwork at a variety of local conventions. After experiencing an artistic block Euge asked what it was that they truly wanted to draw. The answer, “fat stupid things, and food.”

Drawing on the enjoyment they felt creating a previous art print entitled “Pug Life” Euge began drawing a variety of pugs before the character Puglie was finally born.
“I then drew the fatty in a doughnut. And I laughed. And it was the first time my art truly made me happy. And from then on, he continued to make me happy”.

Having recently made the jump to full time Puglie creation, Euge hopes to be able to spread Puglie’s message of love and fun with charity streams, donations to those in need, and other “feel good things”.

When asked where they find inspiration for their Puglie creations they said, “I find my main inspiration through collectible toys and Japanese character brands. I love that collectible toys can be appealing to a variety of people, mostly young adults, and are unlimited in their freedom to add some cheeky humour, mature content, or just be as cute as can be. For Japanese characters, like Rilakkuma and Gudetama, I just love how those characters can expand through a variety of merchandise and mediums, and eventually develop into their own store and once-in-a-while themed cafes, which gives the ultimate look and feel experience for fans to enjoy.”

Wondering what a day of pug creation looks like? Here’s the breakdown of Euge’s process:
“I get myself a cup of hot milk tea, and also make sure I’m full because I will be staring at food for well over 3 hours. When I know what food I’m doing (which I have a long list of ideas for), I hop on Google to look for 5-10 reference photos.

From there, I start drawing in Photoshop in a light blue brush to get a good handle on what the Puglie will look like. I spend the majority of the drawing in this phase as I’ll often be figuring out how to fit whatever it is on Puglie’s body and making sure the food is readable.

After I’m happy with the drawing, I start a new layer for the clean line art, and then color with a lasso tool and brush to make it complete.”

We asked Euge for the best advice they have ever been given as an artist. Their inspiring words will stay with us forever.

“Don’t do anything for free,” and along the same line, “F**k you, pay me.”

Shop the Puglie’s DesignByHumans Store here!