Featured Artist: Evgenia Chuvardina

Born in Russia and now living in Germany, Evgenia Chuvardina makes bright pop-inspired designs and patterns that look amazing across so many different products. We spoke about her interest in Andy Warhol and the history of pop as an influence for her current body of work.

She shared with us a few crucial pieces of advice she’s been given as an artist and an insight into how she feels inspired by travel across Europe to create new work.

Be sure to check out Evgenia’s shop to pick up some pieces of her work.

How long have you been an artist and illustrator?

I have been drawing since I was a kid. When I was a child I went to a children art school for 7 years. After that, I went to the Academy of Architecture and Arts. I have a degree in graphic design. Art education in Russia follows classical traditions; you have to learn how to draw and how to paint — composition, colour theory and history of art. I can say that I have been an artist and illustrator all my life.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

I really enjoy traveling to find something new to open my mind. You can find something interesting in your city too. If you use different routes to get around or go to a grocery shop.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given as an artist?

Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.

What inspired you to move from Russia to Germany, and has this move influenced your art practice?

I grew up in Russia in a quite cold place, where winter can last for 6 months. It is not very colourful place. Sometimes, it feels a bit depressing. Of course Russia is a very big country and there are many colourful and wonderful places but my area was a bit greyish. Also, you have a feeling that you live on an island and there is a sea of a primeval forest around you. On the other hand, I think Europe is the opposite of Russia. The main attraction for me is that I have an opportunity to travel around Europe to see wonderful places and cities, to meet interesting people. I am really overwhelmed by seeing the main part of world’s history of art here. I live in Germany but I have a feeling that entire Europe is my home.

What advice would you give to artists starting out making pattern work?

You have to check your artwork over many times, God is in the details.

What are your favorite tools to work with? 

I use ink to make artworks, then I convert it into digital and continue my work on computer to create a final artwork.

What is it about patterns that interest you?

I am fascinated by the idea that a small, simple and non-important element receives a new life and vision solely by the repetition.

Have you always used bright colors in your work and why?

I always liked pop art and how it’s influenced the culture of the 20th century. We still find all these colors and images around us everyday. This colorful style is relatively new for me I started to work with it a little bit more than one year ago. In general I work in different art styles, delicate water-color or abstract art (usually in black and white).

Why do you use food so much as a symbol in your artworks?

I think it is an influence of pop art, Andy Warhol’s tomato soup and such. We can’t beat the food industry in informational impact and colors, so what can be more “pop” than that?

What’s your top tip for selling artwork on Redbubble? 

You have to continue to do what you really like. It is not important if somebody doesn’t like your work, it is just a matter of taste.

Check out more of chuvardina’s work over at her shop.