Welcoming Ana Salopek, who lives and creates in Ogulin, Croatia. She says the Universe is her home.
Ana Salopek lives and creates in Ogulin, Croatia. She says the Universe is her home. As a proud mum of a five-year-old girl, she occasionally borrows daughter's world view whereby she is enlightened on what truly matters in life.
She creates and exhibits in a random circular usage of her name, Ana Salopek, as well as her pseudonym, gospođica ura, with a vast infatuation for books, music and everything that is created.
In her illustrations she covers a wide range of topics; from ecology, human values, tolerance, emotional expressions of everything that surrounds us, to literal understanding and transmission of a word play into a picture by moving the boundaries of reality and allowing her inner child to express itself. Ana practices mind openness on a daily basis, and music helps with that.
Hear from Ana herself in our Q&A below....
When did you start illustrating?
In my head everything is an illustration, since I know of myself, that’s the way my brain functions. I adore illustration as a means of communication. Professionally I turned to illustration three years ago and I strongly believe those three years are the best period of my life.
Who has been the most supportive in your illustration career, perhaps your teacher, family, friends?
Different people in different stages of my life. At one point everyone listed above, at the next no one except me and the Universe :D I’m grateful to everyone just as I’m grateful for each of those moments. I’m glad when I’m surrounded with people who support me but I still cherish the most my own support and those mornings when I wake up joyful for being who I am and for growing with every new moment.
Did you always think art was something that was going to be a major part of your life?
Yes, ever since I am aware of myself and the world around me, I believe that, to illustrate my opinion, it is enough to say that my greatest wish is to live in a picture book or in an animated film :D
What is your favourite subject matter to illustrate?
Um, I’d say characters. Female characters . Not a woman or a girl. In the world. Surrounded by emotions. I love building new worlds. But I also love engaged illustration, the one that sets things in motion and changes the observer.
How would you describe your style?
I play while drawing and I love that play. So, I’d say – playful. Full of colors. Engaged.
What is your favorite collaboration to date?
I actually like every project I currently am or have been working on. However, I’d single out one art project I’m working on - Female Correspondence. It’s a beautiful project on female authors’ correspondence via graphics. I love that emotional connection and freedom in expression.
What interested you about being represented by Illo Agency?
New adventure. :)
Do you have a favourite author, film director, or designer?
Oh, this is a ‘big’ question. I read a lot. I’m a child composed of books. and music. City public library is my second home, and I respect books as individual living creatures. I’'s hard to single out one. I live in Narnia, Hogwarts, Middle Earth. In all picture books that enchanted me. Lately I’ve been amazed by Afonso Cruz and his O Livro Do Ano and Vamos Comprar Um Poeta.
Are you working on any personal projects you can share with us?
I’m working on a picture book in collaboration with a friend author but it’s too soon to share any information, I’m in the phase of sketching and research.
Do you listen to podcasts? If so, do you have a favourite?
Not really. I listen to music. Always. Jack White and all his bands are on my playlist, always and forever Pink Floyd and infallible and exceptional Florence and The Machine.
If you have something in mind for Ana, please contact her agent: [email protected]
at illo agency we pride ourselves in representing a collation of global illustrators, distinctly diverse in creativity and uniquely celebrated by like-minded clients across a range of commercial markets.