Interview with Elisabeth M Marttala (Illustrated by Em)
According to me, true creativity is a characteristic that is very rare to find in the everyday life. However, thanks to technology, ideas and inspiration can be widely spread within seconds. I am thankful for having a lot of inspiring people around me, people that I truly admire. The person featured in today’s post is someone that I have early memories of from a young age, as someone who could create interesting and challenging art from what at first glance looked like nothing. She is part of the creative duo of Ingela och vi and the brainiac behind illustrated by Em. Here, more than ever, is Einstein’s quote on its place:
“Creativity is intelligence having fun.”
What kind of education do you have?
- Practical aesthetic art in high school, Basis preparatory art school in Stockholm one year, Österlens arts and crafts school in Simrishamn 1 year, 5.5 years ago at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen.
Tell us a bit about what techniques you use.
-The techniques that feels inspiring. But with illustrated by Em I use the tablet and scanned colour layers.
What inspires you?
-Urban structure today vs. past.
What is your “high and low moments” professionally?
-Working with culture may mean that one day have its peak as well at the end of the day have its low.
Who/what is the dream collaboration?
-To work with anyone that respects, accepts and completes one self.
What are you working on right now?
-Illustrated by Em is currently working on the designed wallpaper pattern for the wallpaper company “Your Wallpaper”.
What are your future goals?
-My goal is to continue to work creatively as long as I live. With the hope that the goals change throughout life.
Do you have a mentor or someone you look up to?
-No, no mentor. Have never really seen up to someone but I can have respect for people who are passionate about something, who can go against norms and dare to change. It could be within culture but as well in other professions.
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