Meet Bulma!

As we kick off our relationship with this electric new signing to the agency, we grab some quick Q&A time with Bulma to see what makes her tick…

Bulma, welcome! Let’s start with some scene-setting, tell us about your work space...

I got an office room in my home and I made it into a little creative oasis. I got a lot of plants, cute little memorabilia from my travels and a couple of posters from other artists ( I want to hang even more work from other creators - I want my studio wall to be like a little gallery). 

My desk is typically super clean. I can not work in clutter, the desk has to be completely empty - just my iMac and keyboard with a mouse. I go with the saying - ‘clean desk, clean mind!’ If I could relocate anywhere around the world, I would probably choose New Zealand, some cute little lodge with dramatic scenery (think ‘Hobbit’ or ‘Avatar)’. Gosh, I would probably be spending a fortune on the rent!

You’ve got such an approachable, upbeat vibe going on with your work, how did that style develop?

I think my style emerged over time, by continuous practice and hard work. However, one thing that remains constant in my work is my subject matter - quirky characters and simple storytelling through bold shapes, and wee bit of humor! With my work I always tried to try to instill a positive emotion and that feeling of lightness or easiness.

Where does this visual eye come from, a family trait? Or are you a creative black (or technicolour) sheep?

I think it's hard to pinpoint one source of creativity. In my family we do not have any artists, but my parents always encouraged me to create and do little crafts at home when I was young, so I believe that's when I became comfortable with expressing myself through art. Later in life, I think my creativity came from different life experiences, be it an arts class in 8th grade, a random magazine that I picked up on my travels, or a beautifully illustrated christmas ad on TV.

So when did it become obvious that this was the path for you?

Although all my life I loved to draw and do little crafts, my illustration career started pretty late (in my late 20s). I had actually chosen a completely different career path and studied and worked in Marketing and Advertising. However, during evenings after work I would sit and draw as a way to relax, so my husband bought me an iPad for my birthday and encouraged me to try drawing digital illustrations and share it online. My following quickly grew and shortly after that I found myself receiving numerous client requests. Encouraged, again by my partner, I quit my job for good and have been illustrating ever since!

So you’re sitting down, Apple Pencil in hand, how does the process start for you?

Like for many artists, my process is not always so straightforward, it's more like a bumpy road actually. Sometimes I start with a vision for a certain client project, I go on creating drafts and sketches only to realize it was not the best and somehow is not working. I then have to adapt or change direction completely, look for new inspiration and redo my work. So I would say an idea is not enough - that idea needs to be nurtured, developed and tested and go through a lot of hard work and adaptation.

Are there any dream projects or collaborations you’ve got your sights on? And what have you loved working on recently?

I absolutely love working with brands and developing engaging characters and visuals for their storytelling and identity (I studied marketing and advertising, so I guess that’s where all the love for commercial work comes from). So my dream client would be a brand that has a strong brand presence and uses illustrations to enhance their identity. On my list of desired clients I got a couple really big names like Airbnb, Lush, Nike, MTV, Uniqlo (maybe one day!) I’d also absolutely love to collaborate with Yu Nagaba (aka Kaerusensei), a contemporary Japanese illustrator. I admire the monochrome, clean lines and simplicity in his style -  it is understatedly cool.

In terms of recent gigs, It's hard to pick one project, as I really do have many favourites. But I could say that I love it when the client allows me to experiment and pushes my stylistic boundaries - and sometimes the result can surprise even myself. For example in this recent project for Adobe, the client wanted to play with mixed-media and whilst having my usual character style - adding some 3D elements, textures and brushes.

And how has your cultural background informed your creativity?

I do believe that popular Western culture is strongly reflected in my art. I love giving that contemporary, clean, high-street aesthetic to my work, drawing inspiration from modern city life, fashion, and dynamic urban environments. Growing up in Lithuania, just after it got independence post-Soviet Union collapse, I witnessed a culture in transition - one that was actively shaping its identity while looking towards the West for inspiration. This aspiration influenced not only the way we dressed or the music we listened to, movies we watched, but also how we perceived creativity and visual storytelling. Naturally, this perspective seeped into my work. My illustrations often capture the energy and style of a cosmopolitan world, reflecting both the admiration I grew up with and my own interpretation of modern Western aesthetics.

More zingy from Bulma here.

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