Blackwork and Illustration Now

An interview with tattoo artist Claudia Chelo

Thanks Claudia aka @clach_art for accepting to take part in our favourite black and white illustrators’ interview series! Let’s start the questions!

How long have you been drawing?

I always remember my sister drawing since we were children, I used to look up to her. And then I just never stopped!

Is it a hobby or your career?

I actually got my degree of Arts in Italy in order to have a career as illustrator. What I never expected was someone contacting me before finishing my studies to offer me becoming a Tattoo Artist in Germany. A bit crazy but now I do professionally what it used to be a hobby.

How people can get in contact with you?

I’m based in Hamburg, Germany. Currently resident artist at Alchemist’s Valley Hamburg. You can always get in touch with me via Instagram!

What is the proudest moment that you have achieved?

The day I took out my tooth alone when I was 6 years old. Talking about my art career, the first time I tattoed one of my old designs, which I created before even imagine becoming a tattoo artist. The design wasn’t meant to be tattooed and that’s why it was so pure and emotive.

What is the biggest obstacle that you have faced?

To leave my pizza and change it for a bratwurst. Moving to Germany from Italy, leaving my whole life there, was quite tough.I moved there to learn the art of tattooing and to transform my illustrations into tattoos was also not easy.

You have one day to live, how do you spend it?

In an ice cream shop, trying every possible combination ever. I really hope it’s my last day, so I don’t even have to pay for it!

Claudia Chelo, her workstation at Alchemist’s Valley Hamburg, the first tattoo she made from one of her illustrations and her pet, a knitted flamingo!

Giselle Dekel’s Pun Art

Thanks Giselle Dekel aka @giselle_dekel for accepting to take part in our favorite illustrators’ interview series!

Let’s start the questions!

Giselle at work in her workstation.

How long have you been drawing?

Since forever, but it got more serious after taking my first art class at age six.

What’s your process?

I don’t think I have one, I like to draw things that make me happy or laugh. If I don’t know what to draw I have a little brainstorm session with myself.

Digital vs traditional?

BOTH

How long does it take to create it?

Depends on the illustration, could be anywhere between 1 hour or 2 days.

Is it a hobby or your career?

Happy to say that it’s now my career.

Why do you draw?

Because it feels good to create. I love to see a blank piece of paper become something more. Same reason I love to bake!

What inspires you?

Women, humour, symmetry, shadows, architecture and the people around me.

What is the proudest moment that you have achieved?

Seeing my prints for sale in a shop for the first time. I had offered my illustrations for to a few shops, and one of them responded positively. A few weeks later I went to that shop to see my prints framed and up the wall, it was a pretty great moment.

What is the biggest obstacle that you have faced?

Definitely quitting my job in order to pursue this dream of becoming a self-employed designer/artist. Most people keep their day jobs for a year or more when doing this transition, which is the smart thing to do! For me that felt impossible, being a mother of 2 (a baby and a toddler) and working at a demanding job that I hated. And although it was a very hard first year, it was one of the smartest decisions I have made.

You have one day to live, how do you spend it?

Easy! From morning until afternoon, I would go hiking somewhere in the Austrian mountains with all my family. It’s definitely one on my favorite places in the world. We would all have a big picnic on a grass field overlooking a spectacular view, I’m thinking bread and cheese, with lots of fresh vegetables and fruit. For the evening, probably “Netflix and chill” just by myself, I would pick 2 movies, one that I already know and love and a new one that looks exciting, for dinner a big pizza just for me and lots of candy and chocolate, maybe some salted caramel popcorn (no guilt because I ate health that morning, AND it is my last day)

Giselle’s kids and her baking tools! 🙂

Jenny Lefèvre’s flowers and portraits

Thanks Jenny aka @jenny_illustrations for taking part in our favourite illustrators’ interviews series!

Let’s start the questions!

How long have you been drawing?

I drew a little as a teenager but I quickly stopped for my studies. It was during my parental leave in 2016 that I started to draw again and more particularly to paint. At first it was to find a hobby and it became a real passion. Today, I would like to do my job.

What’s your process?

I usually find an image that inspires me in a book or on the Internet, and then I try to create something new. I start with the sketch and then I start painting. I sometimes repeat 5x my watercolors until I am satisfied with the result.

Digital vs traditional?

I really like digital drawing, but watercolor painting has become more important lately and I am now focusing solely on that.

How long does it take to create it?

It all depends on the idea that I have in mind. Some are more complex than others, I would say between 1h and 10h.

Is it a hobby or your career?

I work hard to make this passion my job.

Why do you draw?

Painting and drawing do me a lot of good because it allows me to escape and create. It is truly comforting and rewarding to see the result of many hours of work and to be proud. Even if the result is not always perfect, there is always something to learn.

What inspires you?

I am very inspired by nature. I like using Pinterest to find pictures of plants or portraits to reproduce.

What is the biggest obstacle that you have faced?

In my creative career, having no artistic training, the biggest obstacle I encountered was having to progress quickly to catch up. It requires a lot of perseverance and curiosity.

What is the proudest moment that you have achieved?

I’m proud of many things, but I think the best time is when I gave birth to my twin daughters. It was a very difficult pregnancy and I was hospitalized for a very long time to prevent them from being born too early.

What is the biggest obstacle that you have faced?

In my creative career, having no artistic training, the biggest obstacle I encountered was having to progress quickly to catch up. It requires a lot of perseverance and curiosity.

You have one day to live, how do you spend it?

If I had one day to live, I would pass it without hesitation with my family and we would talk about our best days.