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Interview with Kareena Zerefos

Kareena Zerefos is an Australian artist and freelance illustrator who lives and works in Sydney.  Upon graduating with a Bachelor of Design from the College of Fine Arts in Australia, her creative work promptly shifted from graphic design to illustration.  Kareena’s work evokes an exquisite balance between isolation and companionship, as well as a desire and delight in moments of escape to the world of make-believe.

2008 was a big year for Kareena, gaining acclaim by participating in the weAREtheIMAGEmakers all-girl exhibition, GRRRLs at Sydney’s aMBUSH gallery in February, three group shows in Sydney in March, her first solo exhibition at the MTV Gallery in June, being featured in Empty magazine in September, and having her first Melbourne solo show at famous when dead gallery in November.  Her work was also included in the prestigious annual ‘Curvy’ international art exhibition and the Semi-Permanent 2008 Kids Today international art exhibition.  For this young and talented artist, the future does indeed look very bright.  Read on to learn more about Kareena and fall in love with the beauty and magnificence of her work.

Why are you an artist?
I feel like it’s something I haven’t really made a conscious choice to do – I’ve just always loved making and creating things.

Tell me about your art.
My illustrations are delicate and nostalgic with something subtly unsettling.  I work mostly with the concepts of isolation and escapism, so a lot of the pieces are of children alone in their make-believe worlds with giants or with their imaginary friends or pets.

What media and techniques do you use to create your illustrations? You achieve a very distinctive look with your use of watercolor-like color and heavy outlines.
Most of my illustrations are started with a fine 2H pencil outline, which I then work into more with a softer 2B pencil, felt tip, ink and gouache.  Then I use vintage letraset for type, and sometimes tea to create an aged, nostalgic coloring.

What artists have influenced you and why?
I’m quite inspired by the simplicity of the work of Egon Schiele and Sara Moon, and also their composition and use of white space.  At the moment I love Carson Ellis‘ work, for the colours and fine details; as well as Audrey Kawasaki, Cecilia Carlstedt, Edwina White and numerous children’s book illustrators like Eileen Soper, Pierre Probst and Mary Elliot Lacey.

What inspired your move from graphic design to illustration?
I wanted to create work that was more tangible and made by hand, so I started to draw in my spare time.

To date, what has been your career highlight or proudest moment?
Definitely having my first solo show in Sydney back in June.

How have you handled the business side of being an artist?
Going from being a graphic designer and moving into being an artist has been pretty helpful with understanding the business side of what I do because I’m used to working with clients, briefs, budgets and tight deadlines.  I do a lot of commissioned and freelance work now, and I organize and manage my own PR, sales and shows.  Every so often, I think it would be nice to have an agent taking care of that side of things – so that I can just draw!

Do you ever have trouble parting with originals of your creations?
All the time!  My work is quite personal and when I spend a lot of time creating a piece, I feel really attached to it, so it can be really hard to let them go.

If you could send one message to the world, what would it be?
Keep your inner child alive – but I would find better words to say it!

What are you working on at present?
I’ve just returned to the studio after having a solo show in Melbourne.  I’m working on some artwork for a couple of local independent musicians, including some original pieces that were just shown at the John Steel Singers EP launch. There are also a few illustrations for placement prints that I am working on for Von Zipper.

Links
Kareena Zerefos Website
Kareena Zerefos Store