“Whatever you want to make, just make it.”: Anja Slibar, Catapult Artist for February 2019

“Don’t focus on what’s popular; focus on what’s there for you to try.”

The idea for Catapult Artist was born from a desire to bring more attention to the incredible writing pieces the magazine publishes, to celebrate the work of emerging and established artists together, but also to provide a visual branding solution to the gloriously multi-faceted organization that Catapult is. Celebrating one artist each month allows us to do all of this while providing some visual consistency to our brand via the website and social media channels.

I had discovered Anja Slibar via Instagram and have been following her for some time. Her clean, stark, high contrast images would always provide a breathing space and pause during my admittedly long periods of scrolling. I could not wait to see how she would visually narrate the concepts of the pieces and to see her work impact our feed and grid and the experience of users looking through our books, our classes program, and also these stunning magazine pieces.

The results have been striking, conceptually satisfying and have sent waves of excitement through Catapult each week in February.

Please tell us about your desired medium(s) and how you use them together to get the effect you’d like.

I am a big fan of ink on paper. I use India ink, which is waterproof, so the lines are really sharp. I like high contrasts in my illustrations. They produce almost like a chiaroscuro effect, but in a graphic drawing.

I will start with an underdrawing in pencil, then ink it. Underdrawing is pretty simple—just a guideline for the main image. After it’s done, I scan the artwork, then clean it up and retouch it in photoshop. Lately, a lot of work is fast-paced and requires a lot of drawings, so I started using an iPad together with the Apple Pencil. They actually save me quite a few steps in the process, but still offer great results. So it depends how much time I have to finish the artwork. If I get a lot of time, I will use ink. Otherwise I’ll go ahead and make a digital illustration, which I later on convert into a vector image to finish it.

Can you tell us a bit about your process from start to finish?

An important part for me is looking for photo references, which takes a lot of my time. I like to research and use references according to time and location. Once I gather those, I like to have a day to think about them and put them together in my head. After that, I start drawing, usually in the next two days, and I start looking at the photos that inspired me the most.

Besides that, I don’t really do sketches. I think they’re a waste of time. I’d rather make a few versions of the final drawing, which leaves me with more options I can offer to a client and lets me recycle the versions that don’t get selected.

We love the pieces you created for the magazine. What did you enjoy about the process? Was there a particular piece you felt a real connection to that you’d like to speak about?

I enjoyed the one about father-daughter painting relationship. I got to research some of his drawings and it was great to look at and compare the illustrations, knowing the people in his artwork were the artist and his kids. It was like having an art history lesson.

I also enjoyed the Berlin story about a doppelgänger couple because I spent some time living in Berlin when I was in college. It’s a great city so it was fun reading and imagining where things described in the story would be happening.

How do you refill the creative tank? What kind of practices, rituals, outings, sights, etc. do you partake in?

Honestly? Sleep. Sleep helps the most. I find it impossible to force creativity. There might be days, or even weeks, when I don’t feel inspired or don’t even draw at all. And I just let it pass, or work on something that’s not related to drawing. Otherwise, as a creative person, I do enjoy watching inspiring movies, visiting a gallery or a museum. Sometimes, I think that hampers my creative output because I then feel pressured to create something amazing. I don’t like that; I like it when things come to me organically, from my life. That’s why I would not rush back home to create after seeing something amazing!

What/who inspired you to become an illustrator?

Since I was a kid I always knew drawing would be my “job.” I just didn’t know for a long time that an illustrator would be the form. But that became clear to me after finishing my BA in graphic design. I knew that could not be enough for me. I went to study illustration at TaiK, University of Arts and Design Helsinki (now the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture), where I got to work with amazing professors that showed me that being an illustrator can be a profession.

The approach they had was amazing: They showed us weekly inspirations from other illustrators; they encouraged our own styles; and they gave us realistic tasks, not imaginary jobs. They would connect with a local bookstore and offer a book cover illustration, or get in touch with the Finnish airline to create a campaign for the season. I realized that there are so many things you can apply illustration to.

For those looking to get into the field of illustration what are your recommendations based in your experience?

The only thing I wish I did differently was to start earlier with more professional illustration. So start early. Don’t doubt yourself. Draw what you feel like drawing. I think you gotta be a little selfish in illustration and force your style and inspiration. Make products out of your illustrations. That’s very helpful to be closer to the public. Make t-shirts, tote bags, bandanas, pins—whatever you want to make, just make it.

And while you’re doing it, try different techniques. Try different mediums; you’ll be surprised to find out you enjoy something much more than the rest and that will give you a different stroke. And maybe that’s what you need to stand out. Try collage, try realistic drawing, try colors, try ink, try printing, try different variations of digital drawing. Don’t be focused on what’s popular right now. Focus on what is out there for you to try.

Describe a typical work day for you:

It starts with replying and sending out emails, then a post for Instagram and checking the to-do list for the day. Make breakfast, do work, go to the gym and, after doing most of the work, get a treat, something that I like. Afterwards, work on personal illustrations—evenings are great for that because it’s quiet. I often drift away and look for inspiration or put together ideas of what I want to make. I have a draft of everything I want to make and I’m chipping away on that one slowly.

What illustrators/artists/books/insert anything else here, that are exciting you and inspiring you right now?

I am a little bit obsessed with the music of Dyan that I just discovered. And I am really into animation right now. I am learning how to make images move and am enjoying it so much. I did two music videos last year. One is coming out soon and the other one has more than three million views on YouTube and will be screened at SXSW! So exciting! Can’t wait to make my own animated movie one day!