Artist Spotlight: RomanGal
August 2024
Introducing Roman Gal Goes Around aka RomanGal aka Elisa aka this month’s featured artist! She is a “Roman born and raised” travel writer and illustrator, as well as a lover of “cats, art and gentle and happy things.”
We asked Elisa to answer seven questions about her life as an artist. Here’s how she responded!
“Don’t give up. Simply don’t. If your art makes you feel joyous, continue.”
Describe your work in 7 words or less.
I love this question!
Cozy
Warm
Embracing
Uplifting
Joyous
Can you tell us about your background and how you first became interested in art?
Art has always been a favorite subject of mine in school. Since I was a little kid, you would find me in between colours: markers, watercolours, crayons, you name it. As long as I had some paper and colours, I was happy. I studied art in high school but art became more of a hobby later on; up until now, where I’m able to happily create every day!
Do you have any rituals or routines that help you get into a creative mindset?
Absolutely! It might sound silly, but looking at my collection of markers (which is very, very big) and all those colours, helps me to get in the mood to create. I can’t resist the infinite possibilities that all those colours offer, and it automatically helps me to start the process of a new illustration. To not forget about my very own muse: my cat Stanis, of course, the main character of my illustrations.
How do you approach incorporating personal experiences or emotions into your art?
Emotion is indeed a fundamental part of my art. Drawing my cat Stanis taking care of himself is an act of love, and a message to everyone to slow down and remember that we need to take care of ourselves a lot more than we do! Reading a book, cooking sauce for hours or enjoying the sunset, are very simple moments that if seen with the right light can have the ability to soothe our soul and make our life a little softer. My art wants to be a hug, a comforting pillow where to rest your head after a heavy day.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face as an artist, and how do you overcome them?
Most of the time the biggest challenges come from within: self doubt and fear. I overcome them thinking of how happy and relaxed I feel when I create. The positive feeling art gives me is proportionally bigger than the feeling of doubt and fear. I prioritize those feelings and it works! Also my followers are the most beautiful in the world and they help me, day by day, to see life brighter and to never give up.
“Drawing my cat Stanis taking care of himself is an act of love, and a message to everyone to slow down and remember that we need to take care of ourselves a lot more than we do!”
What upcoming projects or exhibitions are you excited about?
Stanis’ adventures are based in Rome, where he lives, but now he’s starting to travel around the world as well and I can’t wait for him to discover the beauty this planet has to offer! He’s been to Paris and Amsterdam and his journey has just started!
Looking back on your artistic journey, what advice would you give to aspiring artists?
Don’t give up. Simply don’t. If your art makes you feel joyous, continue. If you’re trying to do this as a job, people might tell you to “do something serious instead” but if you feel it in your guts, you already know, don’t listen to them. Continue. For fun, for work, for everything: art is such a precious, unique and magnificent tool, nobody should tell you how to use it, why and for how long. Create, always and the most important part (which I can’t stress enough!): don’t give up and CONTINUE.
Check out RomanGal’s Redbubble store to see more of her art and keep up to date with Stanis’ adventures around Rome!
