Brace yourself for an adventure! Meet the talented illustrator Krõõt Kukkur and swim along with her quirky gang of heroes and misfits—her world is an ocean of colourful art for sure.
Your first drawing/memory of drawing as a kid?
Probably some carvings on womb walls. Jokes aside, I've been drawing since I could hold a pencil. My favourite subjects seemed to be animals and family members having a party, my mom and some rabbits as princesses, Simba from Lion King feeding it´s cubs with his udder (??? don't ask) etc. My favourite drawings from childhood are done around age 5.
Is illustration a tool or an art form and why?
For me it's both. Usually illustration carries a purpose, be it communication or attraction, making it a tool. But every so often you can find illustrations that live their best life even without context and that makes them art.
What do you think about when you draw?
If I'm starting a new commissioned project (figuring out the style I want to use, colors, sketching characters etc) I only focus on that. If I've figured it out already or I'm doing my own stuff, my mind wanders and I think of everything - what I'm gonna make for dinner the next day, how long is the paint drying, when I'm gonna finish the next thing etc.
How did you find your style?
I'd say my style is forever changing, but I've been told there's always something recognisable, so I don't know. I just draw a lot however I want and somehow it works out.
Color or line?
Line is my comfort zone, but I like to challenge myself with color a lot.
Character or situation?
Character.
Your favourite artists?
My favourite artists are the ones who experiment and use different mediums and techniques. The ones who don't create the same thing for decades.
Your favourite movies?
I love movies that ignite a fire inside, that inspire to do more and be better.
Your favourite places in Estonia and the world?
My favourite place in Estonia besides our home is our countryside that's forever in progress. In the world my favourite place would be Iceland.
Advise for beginners?
Keep sketching, try out new materials, take up something new every once in a while. If you have an idea - make it happen. Don't worry about pleasing others, just do you.
What you need to have a productive work day?
I need a clear mind and endless work hours.
Do you think of drawing as of work or as of fun?
I've been drawing/making art full time for almost 6 years now and luckily it's still both. I do commissions that I consider as work and then make my own stuff (drawing, upcycling, painting, tufting, sewing, ceramics etc) that I consider as fun.
Have you ever been stuck creatively and how have you dealt with it?
Sure I have! If I'm stuck I usually pick up real materials (ink, pencils, pastels etc) and just mess around until something comes from it. Usually that breaks the ice and I can start either digitally or continue on paper.
How do you combine different skills of yours? Is it helpful or sometimes they become competitive with each other?
Having different skills is definitely helpful, although for me everything is still based on drawing. I can choose to bring a sketch into life by making a rug or a jacket, paint a chair or make a plate with some weird characters, print my own shirts etc. These skills only become competitive when I don't have to start/finish a commission and I get to choose what to create next.
Please make a little drawing of Trickster as a fantasy character!
