JENY DATSKO

ILLUSTRATOR

A

BY ANA TREVIÑO

Issue 6

Jenya Datsko is a Russian illustrator based in Spain. Throughout this interactive feature you can hover over questions to read what Jenya had to say concerning her creative journey. You can move around images by zooming in and out to experience the smallest details of Jenya's spellbinding artwork.

As I mentioned above, I chose this specialization in art school. Illustration was always interesting to me, so I decided to develop my skills over this and dive into to know all the nuances. It is a great field to apply your imagination, plus my drawing style is very suitable for this I think.

How did you get into illustration?

I was born in a small town in the south of Russia and was living there till I graduated from the school. Later I moved to Saint-Petersburg to begin my studies. I studied economics and finance, because I was good at math and at that time I decided that it is more secure to have this kind of education. It is a common opinion. However, I always loved to draw and even during my university years I had joined many art classes and practiced painting in my free time.

In 2015, I moved to Spain and currently I live here in Valencia. At this new life stage I decided to give an opportunity to my art career and began to develop my skills. I have graduated from professional art school with a specialization in illustration.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I find inspiration wherever: nature, light, people, talks, travels and so on. Before I start, I always have some idea about the illustration mood or colors more or less, but I never know how finally it will be developed. And this is one of the things I love creating. The result can surprise you. When I draw I prefer to listen to music, it helps me and contributes new ideas in the process. The process normally takes from 3 to 6 hours.

What inspires you to create?

I didn't have to choose, this just came. I don't remember if I drew other things. I was always attracted to humans and especially women's beauty in painting. And partly, thanks to recent feminist movements, my work became more visible because people started to share it and identified themselves with my art.

Why have you chosen the female body and essence as your main focus? And how has the current wave of feminism and female empowerment movements impacted your artwork?

I have a mix of different songs for creating, but mostly these are songs with some mysterious sound, at least for me. It is difficult to explain but I have some songs that I listen to on repeat just when I draw and I really appreciate and cherish this music. There is no typical playlist like “relaxing music” or “music for creating”, it is music that touches something deep inside me and takes me to another reality.

Any playlists recommendations of what you listen to while creating?

The last two years were very important to me. I have finally found myself in illustration and I'm happy with the results I have now. The pandemic, like for many of us, was the time of transformation. When you stay alone with yourself, when the world has changed, you start to realize many things. This experience and time of isolation pushed my creativity and my skills to a new level.

How would you describe your artistic evolution throughout the years?

Not to be afraid of the result. It's better to do things and make mistakes, than to try to do something perfectly or even to not start.

What advice would you give younger self from 5 years ago?

Currently, I focus on digital illustration and negotiate collaborations with a famous brand. I also have always wanted to try to illustrate a book or story, so I plan to do this kind of collaboration too. Moreover, I would like to dedicate more time to acrylic painting and find my style that way.