More than three months ago, an event appeared on Facebook that was going to take place further in time and space, i.e. on March 1, 2018. The event was titled "Coloring Book "Ink Potions" by GloryArt". And here, today Gloria Shugleva introduces us closely to her already implemented project:
How was “Ink Potions” born?
The idea was born in September last year, when little by little I started thinking about the InkTober challenge (you draw an ink drawing every day on a preliminary list of topics). But I wanted to act on my own list of topics and in the end it turned out that there were many young artists who joined and uploaded their drawings on my topics. It was cool, you feel part of something and you share the emotion.
At first I thought, "I'll make a mini art book" with all the illustrations, but then I realized that that wouldn't provide as much value as a coloring book where the person can get involved in the drawing process and create the drawing together.
You're missing the "publisher" factor - why? Is it easier or harder to self-finance or sell your publication "green"?
To be honest, I "had really stepped up" to find a publisher and wrote to 5-6 publishing houses, but the answer was always "we're not going in that direction right now", "thanks and good luck with the project" or no answer. It was unpleasant to find out that they don't support you, but in the end, if you don't believe in your dreams yourself, who else would believe. I know artists who publish in zines, art books, comics in small editions, self-financing through kickstarter or pre-order. There's always more than one way for things to happen. Yes, it's harder to be your own editor, art director, manager, publisher, the guy who pays, but good things don't come easy. That's how it got to the moment (today) when I'm sitting at the printing house and choosing paper.
Tell us a little more about the book – concept, story, illustrations, working method and the reactions you get.
I am fascinated to see that people (of all ages) enjoy the idea and order the book, both for themselves and as a gift, and it is not only my mother and friends who support me. I am very grateful and this inspires me to create more and more things that will make me and others happy.
Since I am crazy about Harry Potter stories, witches, mermaids, mythology, etc., I did not hesitate about the concept. It features magical creatures, magic. For each of them I used the same brush, ink and paper. I wanted them to be small parts of something bigger and more complete when I looked at them.
This is your first authorial project. Why do you start with a coloring book, which in turn has a story, but no narrative?
I am not very good at words, words somehow escape me. An author can talk and write for hours, but I on the other hand like to say 2 words and that's it. But if you look closely, each of the illustrations tells a little about me (this information has not been shared until now)
You are the creator of the site сreativU and an active vlogger. What are your more global impressions about books, illustration and the art world?
As someone who is just getting started (my experience as an illustrator is a few years), I can say that there are many people who draw or are interested, but do not take action and do not fight for their goals for the simple reason that they do not know how. In other words, there are no role models, and even if there were, they lack media support and few people know about them. That is why I created creativU, where 3 years ago I started writing about Bulgarian artists and projects. A year and a half ago I started my YouTube channel, where my goal was to show what goes on behind a drawing, how much work it takes and at the same time how much fun it is. These things would have been so useful to me when I was little (and there was no internet) and there was no one to learn from.
What are your next art plans and what will you prepare for Inktober 2018?
Mermaids are swimming in my head.
Interviewed by Milena Radeva
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