Simply stated, Now On View celebrates and showcases the artists of Society6 and their work. Get to know them—and then get lost in their gallery.
As a way of introducing yourself, who are you and what do you do?
My name is Barbara (aka Barlena),and I’m an illustrator and graphic designer. I grew up in a small town in Austria, surrounded by the beautiful Alps. When I attended graphic design school in 2014, I knew that I had found my true passion. Besides graphic design and illustration, I’m also very much into surface pattern design. Lately, I’ve been investing more time in improving my skills in pattern design.
Current City: Munich, Germany
How did you make these?
My sketches always start with pencil and paper. I’ll refine the final sketch with a fine black marker. Then, I’ll scan it and edit it in Photoshop. I also add the colors digitally.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I get inspired by a lot of things, from nature to a song I hear on the radio. Sometimes it can be something I dreamed or an interesting talk with family or friends. I love getting inspired by interior and fashion stores by checking out their prints and patterns. What I try to do when I decide on a drawing is to keep it simple and minimalistic.
What is the best advice you’ve gotten as an artist or the most important thing you’ve learned?
I am not the competitive kind, but at the same time I want to improve everyday. I’ve learned not to be afraid of starting over on a drawing or a project. Sometimes it takes several tries until you can see and feel what you intended to express. Also, keep your early drawings. Not just as memories but also to see how you’ve grown as an artist—how you’ve evolved and the trends or vital moments you’ve followed. Your skills will grow and transform together with your artistic self. So, get out there and show the world your creativity!
Social @barlena.art
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