[Un]Discovers: Marta Spendowska

The Draw A Dot. x Caitlin Power x KENTON Magazine illustration contest is finally over and we have crowned Marta Spendowska as the winner. Today, it's my pleasure to do a special feature on her and her works on this site!

Hello Marta! Once again, I want to congratulate you on winning the illustration contest! Now I have a few questions to ask you. First, how did you get into the illustration industry? Which illustrators do you look up to?
I’ve been working with design professionally since 2009 (in a web+print department, on my own since 2010), but illustration started showing up more often on my doorsteps around 2011.
I have to say that few personal circumstances led me to pick up my brush more and more, to vent, heal and go inward. I started sharing my work online and selling few pieces here and there, but after being featured on few major blogs like Design For Mankind and Illustration Age, I’ve decided to look closer at what I really want to do.

I grew up in Poland, not visualising myself working in the art/illustration department, because Poland is a tough cookie and you don’t have these kind of plans. So, the dream of illustrating was put on the shelf for a long time. Once I got some nice feedback and attention I pushed myself more towards the area that I truly enjoy and am good at. I hope that 2014 is going to be my 100% full time illustration year (with hardly any web design). I’m also looking for a lovely Art Rep, so this is my open call for partnering!

I love the work of artists and illustrator who are a bit far away from my style, like Howard Tangye.
I adore Stina Persson for her use of watercolors.
My breath is taken away by the works of Olaf Hajek and Rex Ray.

Let me do a PSA right now. Calling to all art agents, if you are looking for illustrators, look no further, I have one for you right here! Now let's get back to the questions. So how do you describe your illustration style?
For some reason I like to call it a Watercolor Vanity. It relates to the fashion, but also really underlines the use of media.

My style is bold, fluid, contemporary and lyrical. I use a lot of colors and blend them like there is no tomorrow. From time to time I like to lock myself in the black lines with just enough watercolor, but eventually my desire to color everything overtakes. Most of my portraits are lyrical, even if it’s a fireman. I hope they are, because it’s an emotion that has a power to bring up warm and good memories.

I can definitely feel the emotion when I look at your illustrations. I think this might be the reason I am attracted to your works. Now let's talk about your winning piece. What's the inspiration behind this Caitlin Power illustration? What was the most challenging part of this piece?
The inspiration comes from their latest collection, naturally. Because the brief called for something else than the runaway drawing, I knew I wanted only to refer to that kind of look. I froze the models, I accentuated the burgundy and black combination and a bit of blue around the eye. I’ve decided these are the most important features of the collection. I felt that the geometric shapes play a big part; there are sharp cuts on the jacket and dress, so I interpreted this sharpness in my illustration.

The biggest challenge was that the colors were muted and the models had no, let’s call it, loud looks. I love big hair or a firered lipsticks. At the end the color has been subdued and I focused on the shapes.

I have to say this is a brilliant illustration and I personally believe this piece truly defines your style. I think you can work on more illustrations like this in the future. Out of all the projects you have done so far, which one is your favorite? Why?
There are quite a few projects I just love, but the recent portrait of Danielle Laporte is probably my favorite. Danielle has been very important in my life and I see her as my guide for the online presence, the online energy I generate. Painting her was intimidating, because she’s beautiful, but most importantly cherished by so many people I had to keep them in mind (so they approve..)

There is another project I adore, it’s veggie illustrations I did for an ad agency Viewers Like You and Holli Thompson. I mainly paint portraits, fashion, food and patterns.

Now I am curious, what's the most interesting comment you have ever received from your clients/fans?
Jennifer from the ad agency said : “We brought a talented illustrator in to bring our vision to life—and Marta Spendowska did that in spades. Her quartet of vegetable water colors upped the ante on what we were imagining.” and one of my collectors said : “I’m addicted to your work. I hang it in every corner of my house. One day I might come over and steal your hands.” I think it’s pretty powerful. I receive a lot of emails from people who actually just take their time to email me how much they love my work. There is nothing better to hear.

I think you should consider to buy insurance for your hands since people might want to steal them one day! If you could work on an illustration campaign for a fashion house one day, which brand would you choose? Why?
Chanel and Marc Jacobs hands down! On the other hand — have you seen the Winter ads of Lanvin? It would be a dream to illustrate such abundance!

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Now it's time to ask Marta some trivia questions!

Paris or New York? 
Both, please. Paris (never been there, but traveled the Riviera) for what I imagine about it : little espressos, pastries, old books, art streets, boys with poems, Channel, Simone de Beauvoir.

New York for energy, rush and progressive art/fashion.

But Seattle calls my name all the time. And Milan.

Red or White? 
Red lipstick with a glass of Chardonnay. Or nice rich Chianti with a white chocolate vegan pudding.

Rick Owens or Alexander McQueen?
To own : Rick Owens, but it’s a hard decision...I love black + silver + glamour/grunge + Kembra Pfahler.

To draw : Alexander McQueen — I could go crazy with his looks.

Coffee or Tea? 
Coffee for jazzed up intuition while working (but I allow for 1 cup a week only) , tea for the rest of the week (Orange Blossoms by Reishi Tea or chaga tea). Wine always and forever.

Candy or Chocolate?
Chocolate above everything! Rich, with a little bit of toffee or almonds. I’m a girl, you know — chocolate rules my world!

Spring or Fall? 
Both. Spring for tulips, fall for warm and sexy rain drizzles. Occasional snow melts my heart

Thank you so much to Marta for taking her time to answer my questions. If you want to see more of her works, you can visit the following links:

Website : http://MartaSpendowska.com
Facebook : http://facebook.com/MartaSpendowska
Instagram : http://instagram.com/MartaSpendowska
Twitter : http://twitter.com/MartaSpendowska

I wish Marta all the best and I cannot wait to see what she will be doing with KENTON Magazine in the near future!

All images are courtesy of Marta Spendowska.