Interview with Kareena Zerefos

If you havent seen her work before, then Kareena Zerefos will enchant you with her delicately crafted images

What is your name and where are you located
Kareena Zerefos, Sydney Australia

Where did you learn your craft?
Self taught illustrator, but I studied design at the College of Fine Arts, and also printmaking and visual communications at the University of Alberta in Canada.

What is your artistic medium of choice? Why that medium?
A 2H pencil, a 2B pencil, gouache and Letraset, on archival paper. When I started out I just used whatever materials I had lying around, being from a design background this is what I had, so I guess it’s what I’m familiar with. I do use better papers now though, rather then just whatever I happened to find at Reverse Garbage.

Have you always been focused in this particular area?
No. Growing up I used to draw a lot, but then at art school I became too intimidated and self-conscious to draw, so I was more focussed on graphic design and photography. I worked as a graphic designer for the last few years while developing my illustration style, and a few months ago I left that to focus on illustration full-time.

Whose work do you relate to most? Who inspires you?
There are quite a few contemporary female illustrators whose work I relate to through themes, or techniques, at the moment I’m inspired by the work of Carson Ellis and Cecilia Carlstedt.

What was it like being involved in the Grrrlz exhibition?
It was great to exhibit along side so many fabulous female artists. Our styles, materials and techniques were all so varied, but it came together really well.

Favourite music while working?
This changes all the time. Generally anything bittersweet. The Stills, Sebastien Tellier, The Church, Verone, The Shins, Iron & Wine, Whitest Boy Alive. Right now I’m listening to Death Cab.

Favourite directors?
Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Michel Gondry and Alan Ball.

What is your favourite work(that you created) and why?
Probably ”˜his name was sebastien.’, or one of the children with rats on their heads. I think because of the attention to detail I had when drawing the childrens’ eyes.

What do you do in your spare time?
Lately in my spare time I’ve been catching up on sleep, looking for a new place or watching episode after episode of six feet under… but otherwise, I go for peking duck at 1am after drawing all day; go to yoga; try to decide between getting an Italian greyhound or a staffy; look through family photo albums from the 60s; and watch my boyfriend make blueberry pancakes on a Sunday morning.

What’s coming up on the Horizon for you?
I have my first solo show at the MTV gallery opening Tuesday 3rd June. Besides that, I’m hoping to move into a bigger apartment and get a puppy.

related links

www.kareenazerefos.com

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