Anca Pora
“Omule : Hi , tell me how everything started.”
“Anca : Hi! Everything started I think somewhere in the 9th grade when i made my DeviantArt account and started drawing mostly portraits (which were not very good i might add) of my favorite musicians at that time. I was very into rock music back then.”
“Omule : What is like to be an illustrator?”
“Anca : Being an illustrator is sometimes challenging but always interesting and new. I love experimenting with new techniques so it never gets boring.”
“Omule : How would you describe your style?”
“Anca : My style is all over the place really. I sometimes feel like painting something super realistic other times i like to paint in a more relaxed way, almost childlike. I think eclectic and very colourful are two terms that describe my style perfectly.”
“Omule : Where do you get your inspiration from?”
“Anca : As cliche as it might sound i get inspiration from everything around me. I love plants and cats so i find it relaxing to paint them. I also like browsing through runway looks so i sometimes do fashion illustration. I like creating patterns and incorporating nature elements in them.
I also think travelling and seeing new places is a great way to get inspired. The point is that you have to keep working and inspiration will come naturally.”
“Omule : What is your ideal creative environment?”
“Anca : My home studio is where i feel most in my element. I like listening to music while i work and totally zone out while i paint. Having my cat around is also nice. My home studio is pretty small but i think making your work space user friendly and aesthetically pleasing is what matters most.”
“Omule : Do you have any favorite artists from your industry?”
“Anca : I have several artists i look up to. Sara Faber, Holly Exley, Agnes Cecille and Sha’an d’Anthes from FurryLittlePeach are just a few of my favorites”
“Omule : Favourite place to go on a holiday.”
“Anca : Anywhere in Italy or Barcelona.”
“Omule : Five things you can’t live without.”
“Anca : My phone, my watercolours/gouache paints, my planner, my eyeliner and my cat (technically not a thing but still).”
“Omule : I know you have a Youtube channel . What can we find there? ”
“Anca : My Youtube channel is a more recent project i started about half a year ago and you will find sketchbook tours, tutorials, speed paintings , some tips and tricks , my studio tour, vlogs from design fairs and lots of other exciting things.”
“Omule : How do you promote yourself?”
“Anca : My favourite tool for self promotion is my instagram account. It’s quick and easy. I also use Youtube ,Facebook and Tumblr as a promotion tool. I think it’s important to just put your stuff out there since social media has taken over the world and the right people will find you eventually.”
“Omule : Do you have any kind of creative patterns and routines ?”
“Anca : I like to make a cup of coffee before starting a painting. Mornings are when i am usually most productive. I work on my illustrations during the weekend most of the time since i also have a full time job. I wouldn’t say i have a routine. I just fit in work whenever i have the chance.”
“Omule : What kind of books and movies do you like?”
“Anca : I either read psychological thrillers or books about illustration or from illustrations. Nothing in between those two categories. Right now i am loving everything from Adam J. Kurtz. Movies i would say the same as books. Thrillers and Horror movies are my top picks. Se7en is a really good one. Also The Girl with all the gifts.”
“Omule : What superpower would you like to have and why?”
“Anca : Teleportation so I can easily go wherever i want on vacation.”
“Omule : What would be a great achievement for you?”
“Anca : Illustrating a book would be amazing. Also growing my Youtube channel is a future goal for me. I also love making patterns so making some cool products such as apparel or home decor would also be awesome. The possibilities are endless.”
“Omule : How do you usually start a new project ?”
“Anca : If it’s client work I like to talk as much as i can with the client to have a general idea of what they need. After that i either make some moodboards or some sketches depending on the client. Once everything is clear and everyone is happy with the concept I start working on the final piece.
If it’s personal work i just browse online for some reference pictures if i need them and i immediately start painting because that is my favorite part of my job . I usually hope for the best and just trust my instincts .”
“Omule : Have you encountered ups and downs so far?”
“Anca : Absolutely. I have had some periods where i felt unmotivated or lack luster . I have had clients rejecting my work. But i have also attended awesome design fairs and worked with some really cool people. Every job has it’s ups and downs.”
“Omule : What kind of feedback have you received so far ?”
“Anca : It has mostly been positive feedback. The people that like my work are more likely to engage in a discussion with me rather then the ones that don’t . I’ve had a few trolls here and there but nothing too major.”
“Omule : What do you like the most about your work ?”
“Anca : The actual painting part is my favorite part as i have mentioned earlier. I like the fact that it clears my mind and it’s just me and a piece of paper. Everything kind of fades into the background. It’s almost like therapy i think.”
“Omule : Who is on the guest list for your ideal dinner party?”
“Anca : Hmmmm... Tough choice. I would say Ryan Reynolds because he is hilarious. Jamie Oliver for some delicious italian cuisine. ZHU or Borns for some bangin’ music And my boyfriend and closest friends because that’s always the best company.”
“Omule : What is your favourite kind of project?”
“Anca : Any project involving cat portraits or pattern making.”
“Omule : Do you have favorite documentaries series , or podcasts?”
“Anca : I really like crime documentaries on Netflix such as The Jinx, It was him or Making a Murderer.”
“Omule : PC or Mac? Pencil and paper or tablet? Photoshop or Illustrator?”
“Anca : PC, Pencil and Paper and Photoshop.”
“Omule : How do you see your dream collaboration ?”
“Anca : I would love to collaborate with Borns on an album cover. I love his aesthetic.”
“Omule : Favorite places to visit and why ?”
“Anca : Italy because of the food. London because of the variety of cultures. Barcelona for the beach.”
“Omule : If you had the power, what would you forbid ?”
“Anca : Animal Cruelty.”
“Omule : What made you want to become an illustrator or artist?”
“Anca : I am not really sure. I just always had an inner voice telling me i should put something on paper . Once i actually started with my first drawing i started developing my skills and never stopped since.”
“Omule : Can you remember some of your earliest influences?”
“Anca : As i mentioned before i was very into rock music when i was younger so Marilyn Manson was one of my favorites. I remember seeing some of his watercoluor paintings and thinking i want to do that. Yup he also paints.”
“Omule : Which of your projects has been most important to developing your personal style?”
“Anca : My master’s degree sealed the deal for me when it comes to illustration. I studied design in Cluj and went to Manchester for a semester where i did fashion illustration. That was the moment i knew that i want to make painting and drawing a full time thing.”
“Omule : Would you say that keeping things simple is your strongest skill?”
“Anca : I would not . My illustrations are more on the decorative side rather then simple. I like to add a lot of elements and loads of color. So for me more is more .”
“Omule : Which illustrators or artists working today do you admire the most? ”
“Anca : Same as my favorite artists in the industry.”
“Omule : What criteria do you use to critique your work?”
“Anca : I don’t usually like to critique my work. Once i am done with a piece i am usually on to the next .My motto is just do it and hope for the best. ”
“Omule : How much attention do you pay to the feedback of others on your work?”
“Anca : I like hearing what people think about my work so i always listen. If it’s constructive criticism i like to take it and think about how i can improve. If it’s positive feedback... well that’s always welcomed !”
“Omule : Cheers !”
