Two names (and a pseudonym):
Ekaterina Zagorska
Introduce yourself in a few words:
Hello, I am Ekaterina Zagorska. I am a designer and illustrator, I love to be colorful and colorful. I am inspired by the Mediterranean, tranquility, delicious food and “dolce far niente” I don’t like beige :D
What did you graduate from?
Bachelor of Interior and Spatial Design (NBU); Master of Advertising Design (NHA)
What is your professional experience so far?
At the beginning of my first year, I started with small graphic assignments and a few collages for the front page of the newspaper “168 hours”.
After completing the master’s program at NHA, I went to Italy and started working as a graphic designer in a company that produces decoupage paper. After that, I continued as a web designer and social media in another Italian company in Milan, but for a short time.
I returned to Bulgaria and worked for nearly 5 years as a graphic designer in real estate companies and importers of equipment and machinery. I have done comprehensive branding for events, campaigns for Philips, advertising spots for Lenovo, Cisco, IBM and others.
Subsequently, I continued as a business analyst/designer in a Bulgarian IT company that has mainly foreign clients. In recent months, I participated in a very motivating project and developed the design for the new BNT application - BNT Play.
Since 2022, I have started drawing digital watercolor illustrations more actively again.
Subsequently, Desenio (a large Swedish poster sales brand) contacted me and I became part of their Feature artist section. Gradually, other brands started contacting me. I have several puzzles developed with two German manufacturing companies. Then an Australian company made several of my illustrations for a paint-by-number set.
I work with 2 other companies on the Australian market and at times I feel much more popular there than in Bulgaria or Europe. Maybe my art is more to their taste, I don't know.
I have a few book covers, with a very special one expected to be released next year in the USA.
Tell us more about your work (style, technique, interests, way of working):
I have always painted with watercolors, somehow I have enjoyed it immensely. A few years ago I started painting on a tablet with watercolor brushes and there I got quite excited about using it more and more, it somehow gives even more freedom than on paper.
I am a big fan of hand-drawn drawings on tables. I like to draw places from my travels or places I want to visit. My paintings are more like a series of stories, whatever my soul is feeling and I want to do at the moment.
Exhibitions/participations/performances/awards:
I have participated in several university exhibitions when there was Sofia Design week
2018 I had my first solo exhibition with photographs (because photography was also a great passion of mine)
2022 I took part in the Biennale of Illustration for the first time and in 2024 I participated again.
2024 I participated in an exhibition organized by beer 1664, where I had to present beer through my eyes in its specific environment.
2025 I participated at the invitation of Desenio in an initiative together with the American Association for the Maintenance of Mental Health through Painting. I have two paintings especially for this initiative, which participated in a presentation/exhibition in New York in June. The idea is that a percentage of the sales will be donated to the Association.
Illustrated works:
I rather do not draw specifically for books. This year there are 2 books with my illustrations on the cover:
“Little Italian Hotel” and “With a Taste of a Greek Summer” from Krug Publishing House
And for next year the book “Saturn Returning” by Kim Narby from Bindery Books is expected
Who is your favorite illustrator?
I am a big fan of Jean-Jacques Sempé
What is your favorite illustrated book?
Little Nicolas, Asterix and Obelix, but I also really liked Bosco’s books (Tales of the Forest Dwellers and the Dwarves by Tony Wolf)
Which book do you dream of illustrating?
The Three Musketeers
Website:
www.ekaterinazagorskaart.com
Facebook:
grande_k8_draw
And here are some of Ekaterina’s works...
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