Your Full Name
My name is Katja Kahila, also known as Samiraku.
Tell us about you
I’’m the kind of person who tells terrible jokes and laughs at all the wrong times, and who never ceases to be amazed at the life around her. I love small pleasures in life like a leisurely cup of tea over a good book, or walks in the woods after rain. They’’re the fuel of my life.
In your opinion, what would be the secret ingredients to become a great illustrator?
Passion and heart. You must love what you do. Being technically great or determined can only take one so far, but art that has been created with passion and heart can transform into magic that has the ability to stop someone in their tracks and really make them to take a look, even change their outlook in life.
Where are you located?
Currently I work and live in UK, though I’m originally from Scandinavia.
What is the most fascinating part of being an illustrator?
Witnessing an idea come to life is the most fascinating part for me. I don’t think I’’ll ever tire from seeing how the first sketched lines evolve and become something else. Whether by me or someone else, I love seeing art created.
Where do you get inspiration from?
The life around me is my best source of inspiration. I am curious to no end, and being blessed with an overactive imagination also helps. Music is a great influence to me too and it sets the hue for my work.
How do you promote/sell/showcase your work?
Currently all my work is on the deviantART community website, though with time I am likely to expand to other art communities too and as my work progresses I will set up a portfolio.
What are your long-range goals in your life?
I have for a while now been plotting to combine my different creative interests and work. I am working on a graphic novel and writing a screenplay for it as well. To me that is the harvest of the many paths that I’ve explored.
What types of assignments/projects are you attracted to the most? Why so?
I am mostly a portrait artist, and I love painting film, book and game characters in semi-realism and realism. The transition from one style to another fascinates me to no end. It is a game of ‘what if?’
Who is an illustrator that you look up to? Why so?
Mario Wibisono. Also known as Raynkazuya. I find his fantasy art and hyper-realism spellbindingly beautiful. It is art where heart and technique are in lovely balance.
Describe a difficult work/project situation and how would you overcome it?
I’ve a mind for puzzles, and I like finding the missing pieces and connecting all the dots. I break challenges into smaller pieces and tackle them in priority order. I’ve had work damaged to extents that some would have thought beyond repair, but the above method has always helped me. And no matter what happens, my strategy is panic later, work first.
What do you think about the Internet and how it is affecting our lifestyle?
Internet appears to have become an irreplaceable information and communications tool. I appreciate what it offers, but I feel concern for those who have become dependent on it. The temptation to lose your mundane self within its virtual walls can be seductive. Ultimately the internet cannot replace true human interaction such as receiving a real hug, or a handwritten letter. As a tool it’’s the best creation since the zipper, but for enforcing it to be the only method of communication and reaching out to the world can be trap for many.
If you could turn back time, how would you do things differently?
For five seconds there I was tempted to add art schools to my background, but, no I wouldn’t change anything. Everything that has happened in my life has shaped me to who and what I am now, and it is a very comfortable zone to be in. The only thing I would tell my younger self is to relax more. Worrying diminishes creativity.
How do you keep your work fresh? Do you need to consciously adapt your style or does it progress naturally?
I’m letting my style progress naturally, although I am always mindful of what I need to improve on. Trying out different tutorials is usually a fun way to test what else I can do, although whilst I usually learn valuable techniques from them, my style seems to have settled into it’s natural progress route.
Name 3 of your favorite (art) books/ magazines.
- ‘EXOTIQUE 4 Collector’s Special Edition’;
- ‘Fantasy– the Best Art Works of Chinese CG Artists’; and the
- ‘Advanced Photoshop, the Premium Collection magazine’
What is your life motto?
You learn from mistakes, don’t be afraid to make them.
In what kind of a work environment do you do your best work?
I prefer the dark and quiet when the rest of the world sleeps, no distractions of any kind. It can be very meditative and my work results are usually more explorative, compared to old trusty standard methods that I rely on when working in midst of chaos.
What do you like the sound of? Why so?
I’m fond of the combined sounds of coffee maker and washing machine. It means that my chores are done and that the rest of my day is free for me to do what I like. But the sound of rain at night is the most soothing and fresh of all.
If you have online portfolio, what is the URL?
http://samiraku.deviantart.com
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