Two names (and a pseudonym):
Yana Kazakova
Introduce yourself in a few words:
My name is Yana and I love to draw. It is my job, hobby and passion. I am a mother of two children, a dog and a gecko. I love being in nature, especially in the mountains. I also love to play sports and I am convinced that this makes us happier.
What did you graduate from?
I graduated with a bachelor's degree from the National Academy of Arts with a major in Book and Printed Graphics, and I did my master's degree at the New Bulgarian University with a major in Illustration and Graphic Technologies.
What is your professional experience so far?
I would say that my professional experience is diverse. I mainly illustrate children's books, do custom illustrations and storyboards for advertisements. I love working on projects with an environmental focus, so I feel that I am helping something change for the better. I have experience in graphic design, but I would say that this is not “my thing”. I have done the graphic elements and captions for many of the videos and films that my husband has shot. I was also the main set designer for a TV show.
But still, personal projects are my favorite. I am part of the team of the “Vitan the Frog and Friends” Foundation. We visit many schools, kindergartens and organize workshops with a scientific and creative focus and introduce children to interesting facts about different types of animals. This transfer of knowledge and experience makes me feel fulfilled.
Tell us more about your work (style, technique, interests, way of working):
My style is distinguished by the fact that I mainly draw with colored pencils. When I started experimenting with materials, I felt that they suit me the most for the details that I like to do. Recently, I also started doing digital illustrations, but the feeling cannot be compared to the real material. My style is largely driven by the assignment I have. I would say that I prefer to draw animals and natural settings. I find it interesting to play with the hair of my characters, I draw them funny hairstyles or turn the hair into a part of the natural environment – water, plants, clouds . . .
Exhibitions/participations/performances/awards:
I have two solo exhibitions at SOHO – “PENCIL” (2014) and “Calendarium” (2024), I have participated in the exhibitions of the Biennale of Illustration and in other group exhibitions.
Illustrated works:
"The Giraffe That Didn't Fit in the Book" (author Yana Kazakova, published by ELA Association, charity project),
"Stories from the Big Yard" series (author Ivan Radenkov, published by Siela),
"The Taste of Adventure" (author Ivan Radenkov, published by Enthusiast),
"Bulgarian Folk Tales - Key to the Emotions of Our Children" (author Nadezhda Mileva, Petya Terziivanova, published by Enthusiast),
"How do you spell 'salmon'?" (author Veronika Lyubenova, ed. Vlyubenova),
"The Ninth Life of Burks" (author Veronika Lyubenova, ed. Vlyubenova),
"Goodbye Scary Slipper" (author Slavi Stoev, ed. Robertino)
"The Road from Me to the Cherry" (author Paola Peretti, ed. Exlibris)
"The Belichkovs" (author Anna North, ed. Marmot)
"Financial Literacy for Children with Peggy and Mozy" series, (author Mladen Zapryanov, ed. Adviza)
"The Frog Vitan" (author Emilia Zafiraki, ed. Lisiche)
"Betty and Letty" (author Emilia Zafiraki, ed. Foundation "The Frog Vitan and Friends")
"The Wings of the Swan Duck" (author Nevena Bozhkilova)
Who is your favorite illustrator?
Rebecca Dautremer, Quentin Greban, P. J. Lynch and many others. I also have favorite young Bulgarian illustrators, but I will keep them a secret...
What is your favorite illustrated book?
It may sound strange, but I don’t have a favorite illustrated book. Nowadays there are so many beautiful publications that I can’t stop at anything in particular. There is a wide variety of styles and great layout.
What book do you dream of illustrating?
I would like to illustrate an adventure book.
Facebook/Instagram/:
@Yana Kazakova Artworks
@yana.kazakova.artworks
And here are some of Yana’s works...
Add comment