An interview taken from our June Issue. In this special issue, we wanted to give light to artists, especially illustrators and painters, to know how to quarantine time affected their lives and their process. We wanted to showcase a different story, different arts to give a voice and platform for these creators.
KALTBLUT: It’s been almost 2 months since self-isolation has been enforced worldwide, how are you feeling?
TOMA: Like a random guy in a straitjacket, trapped between four walls but surprisingly appeased. My state of mind is very opposite since this quarantine and before that, I went from a super active partying guy always outside to an old chill granny with her cat, it’s enough to shake up my brain and question everything. You quickly feel ultra-small and helpless during this particular period. The best I can do is refocus on myself and share what makes me vibrate, my illustrations.
KALTBLUT: What have you been doing to pass your time in quarantine?
TOMA: I have been enormously productive through my lifelong passion during the quarantine. I tried to not lock myself in a circle of laziness, which would be rather easy. The past few months, before all of this, have been a bit chaotic personally and I have completely stopped drawing, unfortunately. So I had the opportunity to actively retake creating illustrations and I finally became a freelance illustrator. This period allowed me to reflect, to make a total introspection. Illustration is my future.
KALTBLUT: How has the situation affected your work?
TOMA: Well, I started my activity, it’s funny that I needed a break all over the world to finally get the click. I exorcise a lot of things through my illustrations during this time who were buried in me. I draw what I know obviously, from my own experience. My art is a reflection of my feelings and my emotions. I’m not very strong to exteriorize, except in my art – which I use as a tool. It helps me with that. However, something seems a bit rusty since the quarantine, the poor things experienced right now seems to exhaust the inspiration a little bit. I lose my mojo with the lengthening period. I want to live something to soak it up, it’s a little frustrating
Contact
Instagram: @tomaillustrations
Read the full interview here:
