Katharina Madesta

QUESTION: What drew you to illustration/design? KATHARINA: We had crayons in kindergarten, watercolor in elementary school and a ballpen in high school and therefore I was able to broaden my repertoire. QUESTION: Do you have any formal design training? KATHARINA: I studied Design in Munster for 2 years , then worked in Hamburg in the animation studio Toons-n-Tales. And afterwards I finished my diploma in Hamburg, majoring in illustration. QUESTION: Where do you live? KATHARINA: In Berlin - Alt Treptow. In the channel triangle between Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg and Neukölln. QUESTION: Can you describe your studio for me? KATHARINA: My studio is only half a block away from my apartment and I have a view onto the wide sidewalk and cafés. I share it with a graphic designer and a make-up artist. I have a very large desk and a massive collection of colors, paintbrushes and papers. QUESTION: What is your biggest inspiration? KATHARINA: The internet. I can spend hours, surfing on art-, illustration- and design blogs without getting bored. QUESTION: How do you get the best ideas? KATHARINA: With concentrated idleness, relaxing in a chair, reading, writing or sketching- with or without music. QUESTION: What technique do you use? KATHARINA: I prefer pencils or a ballpen and finish it with watercolor or acrylic color. More and more I also use the computer. I like to try new techniques, like woodcut f.e. QUESTION: Tell us about a favorite project you have recently completed? KATHARINA: I drew a children´s book about the forest for a swiss publisher called Beachlin. It was a pretty open briefing and I had a lot of freedom to experiment with water color. QUESTION: What would be your dream job/Commission? KATHARINA: I would like to work cross media and get together with other people to make little animations. I am taking first steps in this direction with a friend currently. Also I would like to make a graphic novel. QUESTION: Who are your illustration heroes? KATHARINA: I really like the paintings of Shaun Tan, as well as the work of Uwe Heidschötter, Claire Wendling, Peter Brown and many others. I get very excited about different styles and techniques.