We continue with the thematic presentation of authors and since the month of February somehow predisposes us to our topic, we will introduce you to several artists who make cards: We start with…
Polina Trifonova /Powi/
Education (in a few words): Secondary school with a natural sciences and mathematics profile and Spanish language (44th Secondary School "Neofit Bozveli", Sofia); Tourism - professional qualification (ChPK "St. Sofia", Sofia); Library and information sciences (SU, higher)
Professional experience (in a few words): real estate broker (from 2010 to the present)
What does it actually mean to make cards?
I make cards only to order (with minor exceptions) and in order for them to be truly unique, I am always interested in the personality of the person for whom the card is intended. I ask about distinctive features (not just external, but also in character), favorite activities, hobbies, professional orientation, preferred colors and in general everything that is specific to the person, sometimes I also ask for photos. Usually, while I am receiving the information, a concept for the vision of the card is formed in my mind, sometimes it takes longer, but the result is always a unique card - made especially for a specific person. In the beginning, I emphasized the combination of different elements - papers and cardboards with different textures, colors and designs; metal elements; figurines made of other materials; buttons; pearls; petals, twigs, feathers and the like; as well as, of course, hand-drawn pictures. This is how I gradually formed my own style, in which I emphasize the illustration - it is the main element, and the rest are simple accents. The drawings themselves unite the characteristic things about the recipient - sometimes they contain reproductions of photos, other times they are stylized images. In some cases, it is a real challenge to combine things that at first glance have nothing in common, but when I put the person in the center, I always end up with something unique, sometimes crazy, but never boring. And the most pleasant emotion is watching the person on the other side discover their things inside one by one - an irreplaceable experience. I choose the shape and fold of the card according to the specific case, I like to experiment with different shapes, and they are also particularly attractive to clients.
Is the card an illustration? In my case, there is hardly a more accurate definition than an illustration, because my cards illustrate the personality of the person they are intended for, they largely illustrate the image of others about him.
But in general, cards are undoubtedly a form of illustration, since they are given as gifts for specific occasions and express the attitude of the giver towards this occasion, sometimes they don't even need to be written - the message of the illustration is so clear that it doesn't need to be supported with text. This is the effect I personally strive for in the process of creating cards.
What event/occasion do you dream of creating a card for? I have created cards for all kinds of occasions - from birthdays and name days, through marriage proposals, weddings, baby births, anniversaries and jubilees, March 8, St. Valentine's Day, Trifon Zarezan, Christmas, Baba Marta, to exotic trips, musical events, bachelor and bachelorette parties, etc. So when I think about divorce, I still haven't made a card, and why not?!
What do people most often NOT know about making a card? Handmade card making is a process of creative work, it's not just cutting, gluing, decorating and drawing. To make a personalized card, I spend an average of 3 hours drawing, depending on the size and complexity, this time varies, another 1-2 hours for making the card base and decoration and an indefinite amount of time thinking about the overall vision. When I decide that an element is indispensable for the project, and I don't have it, I look for it until I find it - I don't compromise with the final result. And, yes, last but not least, I take this work personally, I empathize with the clients' ideas, I try to look through their eyes and get as close as possible to their vision, the nights when I wake up with a flash of an idea and get up to implement it immediately are no exception. Personally, for me, this is not work, but art.
Favorite examples that have inspired you in your work?
https://www.kartishok.com/ – a team of crafters who have created a place where you can read interesting things, learn new techniques, and see inspiring creations
https://www.2elshi-shop.com/ – the unique Em and Ralli, who create great things and willingly share their experience and advice
Website:
https://powishop.wixsite.com/powishop
Facebook/Instagram/Twitter page:
https://www.facebook.com/PowiShop
https://www.instagram.com/powi_shop/
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