This artist has been enjoying great success in the illustration world for several years. She began her first career in marketing in the financial sector at 25 and decided to follow her true passion after discovering the book "How to be an illustrator" by Darel Rees in a museum in Munich in 2012. "I spent my youth reading and drawing manga and playing Nintendo, I think that's what started my interest in graphic culture," she explains. Throughout her life, she has enriched herself with knowledge of Japanese and British culture. She has chosen to develop her ideas based on inspirations from "(...) nature and escape through the wonders of the ocean," she explains.
What inspires you about illustration?
“Right now, I’m really into packaging, games, and vintage, handmade objects. I really enjoy looking at interior designs to see how colors, textures, and compositions have been mixed to create a coherent whole. I also really enjoy going to museums to discover the work of a particular artist or the evolution of an art movement over time. I think it’s also important to nurture your practice through mediums other than illustration (such as music and film) to see the parallels that can be created across different artistic fields.”
I live in a peaceful place surrounded by nature and I am lucky enough to have a room that I can dedicate to work. I have designed my interior to keep it simple, but with pieces that inspire me. I have also taken care to create distinct spaces throughout my house so that you can feel different emotions in each room. Right now, this place gives me the space and inspiration to find my ideas.
Are there any themes that you care about and that guide your work?
"I like to make cultural and symbolic references in my images. Graphically, I would say that we often find a combination of shapes and colors that communicate an idea or a mood."
An object you couldn’t do without when creating?
“I try to vary traditional mediums (paint, brush pen, pencils, oil pastels) for my sketches and then I work on the computer to assemble the final image so I don't create with a particular object.”
Which artist inspires you the most in your work?
“My inspirations change regularly because there are so many talented artists in the world. Right now, I'm discovering the landscapes of Josiane Lanthier and the pastel works of Clément Hoby. I really like the artist Tim Lahan for his concepts and graphic approach. I love the drawings and characters of the artist Kimi_and_12 (on Instagram). Vittorio Fiorucci and Lorenzo Mattotti are always good references for me.”
What element inspires you the most in the range project?
“I really like playing cards because I find it interesting to design an image that will then be separated into 12 more abstract pieces. I also had a lot of fun developing the poster because it made me think about what I would like to see on my own wall and why.”
Have you experienced any obstacles or barriers to your creativity? If so, what were they?
"It took me a while to decide on the general direction for my three objects. I wanted my objects to be both decorative and to convey an atmosphere of serenity and nostalgia."
How do you see the pairing of promotional items with illustrations?
“I believe it’s a way to unite the form (the visual) and the function (the usefulness) of an object to make it unique.”
Is this your first time doing this type of project? What was your impression?
"This is the first time I've been asked to design an object, and I'm very happy that it's an object designed in an eco-responsible way. I'm also very happy to be working with Alice, Catherine, and Alina, and I can't wait to see the results of our collaboration."
***We are in the last week of the illustrators' creations being submitted. We will soon begin producing the objects with their illustrations! In each box, you will be able to choose from 8 local objects to add to your set. The wall poster will be chosen at random in each and you will find the 4 illustrations in each pack of coasters. The card game is the result of the collaboration of the 4 artists, each developing an image on 12 cards of a symbol. You will be able to recreate the image in the form of a puzzle and play the card game with the 4 different styles. In our own way, this range reflects values of collaboration, mutual aid, diversity, inclusion and equity. We hope you will make it your own and share moments with family and friends, moments that make you feel good.
Learn more about this artist:
Aless Mc: https://www.alessmc.ca/
Aless MC - Collaboration with Kotmo on an exclusive range of limited edition products
This artist has been enjoying great success in the illustration world for several years. She began her first career in marketing in the financial sector at 25 and decided to follow her true passion after discovering the book "How to be an illustrator" by Darel Rees in a museum in Munich in 2012. "I spent my youth reading and drawing manga and playing Nintendo, I think that's what started my interest in graphic culture," she explains. Throughout her life, she has enriched herself with knowledge of Japanese and British culture. She has chosen to develop her ideas based on inspirations from "(...) nature and escape through the wonders of the ocean," she explains.
What inspires you about illustration?
“Right now, I’m really into packaging, games, and vintage, handmade objects. I really enjoy looking at interior designs to see how colors, textures, and compositions have been mixed to create a coherent whole. I also really enjoy going to museums to discover the work of a particular artist or the evolution of an art movement over time. I think it’s also important to nurture your practice through mediums other than illustration (such as music and film) to see the parallels that can be created across different artistic fields.”
I live in a peaceful place surrounded by nature and I am lucky enough to have a room that I can dedicate to work. I have designed my interior to keep it simple, but with pieces that inspire me. I have also taken care to create distinct spaces throughout my house so that you can feel different emotions in each room. Right now, this place gives me the space and inspiration to find my ideas.
Are there any themes that you care about and that guide your work?
"I like to make cultural and symbolic references in my images. Graphically, I would say that we often find a combination of shapes and colors that communicate an idea or a mood."
An object you couldn’t do without when creating?
“I try to vary traditional mediums (paint, brush pen, pencils, oil pastels) for my sketches and then I work on the computer to assemble the final image so I don't create with a particular object.”
Which artist inspires you the most in your work?
“My inspirations change regularly because there are so many talented artists in the world. Right now, I'm discovering the landscapes of Josiane Lanthier and the pastel works of Clément Hoby. I really like the artist Tim Lahan for his concepts and graphic approach. I love the drawings and characters of the artist Kimi_and_12 (on Instagram). Vittorio Fiorucci and Lorenzo Mattotti are always good references for me.”
What element inspires you the most in the range project?
“I really like playing cards because I find it interesting to design an image that will then be separated into 12 more abstract pieces. I also had a lot of fun developing the poster because it made me think about what I would like to see on my own wall and why.”
Have you experienced any obstacles or barriers to your creativity? If so, what were they?
"It took me a while to decide on the general direction for my three objects. I wanted my objects to be both decorative and to convey an atmosphere of serenity and nostalgia."
How do you see the pairing of promotional items with illustrations?
“I believe it’s a way to unite the form (the visual) and the function (the usefulness) of an object to make it unique.”
Is this your first time doing this type of project? What was your impression?
"This is the first time I've been asked to design an object, and I'm very happy that it's an object designed in an eco-responsible way. I'm also very happy to be working with Alice, Catherine, and Alina, and I can't wait to see the results of our collaboration."
***We are in the last week of the illustrators' creations being submitted. We will soon begin producing the objects with their illustrations! In each box, you will be able to choose from 8 local objects to add to your set. The wall poster will be chosen at random in each and you will find the 4 illustrations in each pack of coasters. The card game is the result of the collaboration of the 4 artists, each developing an image on 12 cards of a symbol. You will be able to recreate the image in the form of a puzzle and play the card game with the 4 different styles. In our own way, this range reflects values of collaboration, mutual aid, diversity, inclusion and equity. We hope you will make it your own and share moments with family and friends, moments that make you feel good.
Learn more about this artist:
Aless Mc: https://www.alessmc.ca/