Today on the blog, we meet with an incredible artist who creates illustration influenced by the games from her childhood: Toma Vagner.

Developing her skills between the small Russian island of Sakhalin and New York, Toma soon became a renowned illustrator.

From rubik’s cubes to Jenga to paper cut-out dolls, let's discover her amazing illustrations all powered by Prodibi!




A few words about you. How did you start creating illustration?

I'm from a small island in Russia called Sakhalin. I came to New York in 2013 to study art and have been living here ever since.

Now I work as a full-time illustrator, but I also make a lot of personal drawings and series of images on the side. I've always been drawing, so illustrating for a living came about rather naturally.





Did you try other art forms? Or drawing has always been your favorite one?

I'm all over the place and have quite a few hobbies (not all of them related to art - chess, juggling, playing the guitar). In terms of art forms, drawing is what I do and enjoy the most, and practiced for the longest time.





Where do you get your inspiration from? Are you inspired by the work of other artists?

I have an eye for good design and well-made things; they encourage me to create my own work. There are many inspiration sources for me, most of them are outside of the illustration field.






On the other hand, the way I approach making images doesn't come from a mere inspiration, but from a drive on the inside, willingness to sit down and make something good just because I want to, and have a list of ideas and things I'm obsessed with. I used to say that I'm inspired by Japanese bubble gum wraps and IKEA manuals - that's true, but these are just a few of a myriad of visuals that I'm fascinated by.

It all comes down to what you have to say. Inspiration can be a nice push to bring yourself to start working, but you never know if you'll be inspired today or not. So I prefer to rely on my work ethic instead.





Can you briefly explain your creative process for a great image?

The image starts with an idea. Sometimes it's almost a ready composition in my mind, and other times all I have at first is a vague subject or an object.






Some of my subjects in the past included a rock-paper-scissors game, Jenga, make-up, guitar pedals, lost guitar pick, and so on. I make an image out of the theme I keep thinking about at the time. I use many photographs as a reference if I can't get my hands on the real model or object.

I draw with a ballpoint pen and color digitally or using acrylics. I play around with the image and keep working on it until I'm fully satisfied with the result.

Is there a particular client you dream to work for or a specific goal you wish to reach?

It would be great to create something for Nine Inch Nails, maybe a tour poster. I'm a big fan.

Other than that, I'm just curious to see where my path will take me. I'm often surprised when I open my email box - names and clients that I'd never expect to see there are interested in what I do, and I couldn't ask for more.





Read on: Hidden paintings behind the glass, a modern photographic reinterpretation of botanical illustrations by Samuel Zeller

and
Artworks of fascinating and colorful Japanese urban scenes by artist Erin Nicholls

Do you have projects for the future like workshops, travel, etc.?

My future is a bit uncertain now - I'm applying for artist visa so I can stay and keep working in the US, so my plans will depend on that.

If approved, I'll participate in a couple more Comic Cons around the US next year.

I'll keep doing what I do nevertheless.




To see more from Toma:

Her Website
Instagram
Facebook

All photographs copyright Toma Vagner and used with her permission.

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