Interview: Sergey Steblina

Sergey Steblina's Illustrationen gemein ist ein Hang zum Anime-Stil, die Motive könnten allerdings unterschiedlicher nicht sein. Daneben entwickelte er auch eine kleine Liebe zur Photographie, die er wiederum in völlig verschiedenen Photos zeigt. Im Interview konnte ich mehr über ihn, seine Hintergründe und seine Zukunft erfahren.

Jeriko: Hi Sergey! To start things off, could you please introduce yourself to the audience?

Sergey: My name is Sergey Steblina. I work as graphic designer in small company in Odessa, Ukraine. And every day I expand my boundaries in sphere of art, trying photography, illustration, music, type art and CG. When I am not drawing or photoshooting, I compose music.

Jeriko: Since when are you doing illustrations? Could you describe your typical workflow?

Sergey: I've started illustrating about year ago. As you can see, my illustration is not academically interesting, it is more improvisation. I make no sketches, I just take a pencil, an ink pen, draw some interesting shapes until they start showing me some funny characters or an idea. Then I scan the artwork and finish it in Photoshop with one type of hard brush. That's it.

Jeriko: Where do you draw your inspiration from? Perhaps there are other artists who influence you as well?

Sergey: I've tried a lot of techniques of different illustrators. My favorites are Shepard Fairey, Miu Mau, Feng Zhu and Andrea Offerman. But there are many people who I also admire, such as Feodor Sumkin.

Jeriko: Your portfolio shows four "robotic" insects which immediately caught my attention, is there a particular story or background behind them?

Sergey: There is practical idea behind them: I wanted to compete with myself and draw one illustration per day, day by day. The day before I saw some robotic artworks, don't remember where and some "Organics In Nature" book on my shelf. So, I've just combined two ideas.

Jeriko: Your Flickr-Profile has a focus on photography, however the pictures show a wide variety of different objects/persons. How would you describe your style?

Sergey: I try to explore my imagintaion, take photos of what I like, to explore my taste and vision. I'm in love with Lomography. Always take a compact camera with me everywhere I go. But for some reason I've bought Canon EOS Mark II to compare different styles. I have no background in photoshooting, and have no person to help me out, to guide or advice something. And I see no style or personal taste in my photos. I am falling down too much, make huge mistakes in photography, trying to catch my style. I am studying it.

Jeriko: How do you find your subjects?

Sergey: I don't. It comes spontaneous, if it is not commercial work. If it is, I just accurately read the brief from client, it has all ideas in tasks. But, for example, right now I am thinking about neat idea to combine Lagerfeld fashion with mechanical creatures, giving them personality of celebrities. Very fun idea. [Jeriko: Can't wait to see that!]

Jeriko: What kind of equipment do you use?

Sergey: Pen, ink pen, photoshop, Lomo compact A+, Canon EOS mark II, FED, Yashica MAT-124.

Jeriko: When you photograph, do you have a theme in mind?

Sergey: Usually not. I believe that my photography won't work with accurate planning. The project "One Week: Depersonalization" pictures a girl with make-up, long eyelashes and wig. This session is result of situation, when people we intended to shoot did not show up. So we took everything we had and made fun of it. Next project sessions, such as Criminal sailor are planned and look not good. I want it to be redone.

Jeriko: I really like the style and execution of the One Week Project "Marionette", could you tell me a little bit more about it?

Sergey: All that sessions are made with help of one person, Nina von Stein. She did all make-up and helped with ideas. One day we were at the knitting store and I saw a huge skein. I told Nina, that we had to do something with it, maybe stick it to the fingers. We bought the black skein, divided it into long-long pieces, and experimented with it. Then I called my friend (sailor, by the way, that's why we picked sea theme for background) and agreed to meet the day after on the beach. That's all.

Jeriko: You’ve obviously got your portfolio, a Flickr account, a Behance profile and there also your blog. Any other presence on the web you’d like to publicize? Social networking?

Sergey: No. These are resources I visit the most. All new works are there.

Jeriko: As you use the Internet to showcase your photos, are there any other websites you feel have influenced you, opened your mind or shown you new ways or techniques?

Sergey: Design.ru [aka Art Lebedev]. Guys just blow away my mind with every project. Especially Cmart.

Jeriko: Of all the pictures you've taken, or at least the ones showcased on your website, can you name a couple or one that you have a special love for cor connection to?

Sergey: Mumiy Troll CD design. Ilya Lagutenko is very-very creative and inspiring person, good client and well-known russian musician. "8" album I love the most, because it is "handmade".

Jeriko: Do you have any specific plans for the future direction of your artwork?

Sergey: I have to improve my skills in every direction. So all I need is a person, who could shorten my way a little bit. Next step is Europe. I'd love to work in Europe.

Jeriko: Your portfolio states that you're open for non-commercial work, does that mean you're doing all this "just for fun"?

Sergey: That means I am willing to participate in projects with no budget, if they are really cool and interesting. For example, some social prints, or fun web project.

Jeriko: I always ask my interview partners to give me a final question for the next partner. My last interview was with Kim Holtermand from Denmark, his question was: "Could you describe your workspace?"

Sergey: Desk full of stuff, junk, notes, food packages, devices, coffee cups and ashtray? Everything else is organized in my head.

Jeriko: So what would be your question for my next interview partner?

Sergey: Can you work, when you are very angry?

Jeriko: Thanks a lot for the interview! Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Sergey: Keep going, keep going, fall down, keep going, fall down, keep going, fall down, fall down, keep falling, keep going, fall down, keep going, keep it always going.