Welcome back to the illustrator series! Get to know Greete Okas and fall in love with her bold style: for example, it's absolutely impossible to resist this dude's charm.
Your first drawings as a kid?
I don’t remember my first drawing, but I do remember my 8th birthday present from my mother—a portrait of me and my dog Romulus, painted by Evald Okas. When the painting was finished, he suggested I add something to the background to make it more fun. So, I drew two characters in the background with three red theater chairs, making it look like we were in a theater together, watching back from the canvas. That made me feel like a real artist.
Is illustration a tool or an art form, and why?
It can be both, as art can be anything that the viewer believes to be art, and illustration is one way to make art. I think it's a very effective tool to convey messages in form and shape.
What do you think about when you draw?
It depends, but I’d say I draw because I enjoy the quietness it brings me. I can simply be with myself and have the best time.
How did you find your style?
I believe a big part of developing a distinctive style comes from how you approach the problems and mistakes that arise during the creative process. To be honest, I don’t really know what my style is. I just go with what feels right in the moment and have fun. Everyone has their own way of doing things, and that uniqueness should be embraced—it’s like when someone makes you a sandwich, it tastes different, even though it has the same ingredients.
Color or line?
I always start my sketches with lines, but when I work on my illustrations, I tend to use filled-in shapes and add lines later for the details.
Character or situation?
I love drawing characters, and I like adding simple elements to give them a humorous feel.
Your favourite artists?
Ado Vabbe, Rick Berkelmans, Bráulio Amado.
Your favourite movies? Name at least 3.
As a child, I watched The Lion King the most, and every time, I hoped Mufasa would survive. Oh well…
I also really like Nolan’s movies—his Batman trilogy is my favorite. And Dune felt like I was taking a trip to an undiscovered land.
What are your favourite places in Estonia and the world?
I don’t have a specific favorite place to be, but I really enjoy Estonian summers. All the spontaneous trips with friends always hit the right spot.
Advice for beginners?
Have fun, do what feels right, and don’t stress about fitting into a specific style. Allow yourself to be silly and don’t be afraid to make mistakes along the way. I think ‘mistakes’ can add so much character to your work if you learn to embrace them.
What do you need to have a productive work day?
Having an idea to work on and coffee! :)
Do you think of drawing as work or as fun?
Drawing has always been my fun time. Somehow, I've also managed to earn some money doing my silly characters, so it's fun work!
Have you ever been stuck creatively, and how have you dealt with it?
Of course. It really helps to take time off and do something else for a while.
Lately, I’ve found that working with different mediums than I usually go for helps too. Right now, I’m enjoying oil pastels since they’re outside my comfort zone, and I get to play with new tools. Again, I make sure to keep it fun for myself.
How do you combine different skills and professions of yours? Is it helpful, or do they sometimes become competitive with each other?
I also work as a bartender, and I feel it's always good to return to my illustrations for some alone time. On the other hand, since drawing can get quite lonely, it’s nice to recharge my social battery while working bar shifts.
Please make a little drawing of Trickster as a fantasy character:)
