I first saw the work of fashion illustrator Laura Laine on the Finnish fashion blog Tundra. I quickly became enthralled with her hauntingly beautiful and amazingly detailed drawings. Shortly after, I came across her work again in the NY Times Style magazine and again I lost myself in the beauty and melancholy of her characters. I had to know more about the girl that could make me feel so cheerful not to mention how she managed to bring these characters and their gorgeous flowing hair to life.
When did you decide to become an illustrator?
Originally I studied fashion design in the University of Art and Design Helsinki, but I felt from the beginning that designing was really not my thing. I only liked illustrating the designs for the portfolios, and only after the first course of fashion illustration I felt I had really found a perfect field for expressing what I wanted. It was just a bit later that I realized I might also be able to make a living doing illustration. Fashion is something I find extremely inspiring and like to keep as part of my work, but I have never regretted of giving up the actual designing.
Originally I studied fashion design in the University of Art and Design Helsinki, but I felt from the beginning that designing was really not my thing. I only liked illustrating the designs for the portfolios, and only after the first course of fashion illustration I felt I had really found a perfect field for expressing what I wanted. It was just a bit later that I realized I might also be able to make a living doing illustration. Fashion is something I find extremely inspiring and like to keep as part of my work, but I have never regretted of giving up the actual designing.
Where do you find your inspiration?
Different things at different times inspire me, but mostly things related to fashion, literature or art. Browsing through magazines and traveling to Italy.
How would you describe your style?
My drawing style is something I'm not so conscious about, I just do what I feel like at the moment. Lately it's been twisted-bodied girls with a melancholy attitude.
Do you have a mentor? If so, who?
No, but I sometimes wish I had.
Is there a dream project you wish to pursue one day?
I would love to do work for some fashion company or magazine I really love. I might be also interested in doing something with animation some day.
Finnish illustrator Laura Laine is 24 years and lives in Helsinki. Her work has been published in numerous international publications and has done some work for Escada, Zara’s and others. You can see her work at upcoming exhibitions in the United States at Gallery 1988 in San Francisco in August and at Thinkspace Gallery in Los Angeles in November. For further information on future appearances, please visit her site.
Finnish illustrator Laura Laine is 24 years and lives in Helsinki. Her work has been published in numerous international publications and has done some work for Escada, Zara’s and others. You can see her work at upcoming exhibitions in the United States at Gallery 1988 in San Francisco in August and at Thinkspace Gallery in Los Angeles in November. For further information on future appearances, please visit her site.
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Fantastic!!
ReplyDeletewhat an amazing artist, great interview!
Wonderful blog! Thanks to Michael I found a fellow American doing a wonderful job of unraveling the layers of Finnish Design.
ReplyDeleteTruly magnificent work. This young artist is very talented. Tomorrow's superstar! She can be confident that she will be living out her dreams one day soon!
Margaret
Cate, Thanks! Laura will be thrilled receive such lovely comments!
ReplyDeleteMargaret, Welcome to CDD and thank you for your kind words! I will forward your comment to Laura. I am certain she will be thrilled to receive she positive feedback!
Charlie
I love her work! I think we can use her for a project coming up. Her work is very fresh and new. How did you find her? We have so many assistants looking for new talent and I have to come to your website and there they are! Sonera should hire you...
ReplyDeleteNina
Nina,
ReplyDeleteShe is amazing! She is doing the artwork for my blog and I am totally blown by her talent! When saw the artwork I was ectastic, cloud nine!
On her site you can find the link to her agency, give them a call if not give me a call and I will hook you two up.
Charlie
Use the colors of the designs; hold great meaning and value to the viewer's perspective. The colors do not deal with emotions; use a color that you want to convey the feelings of visitors. For example, the colors may be difficult to use the design that requires immediate attention to visitors, while the soft and subtle colors can be used in a normal design.
ReplyDelete