Darling of the Month - A dream of nostalgia and pastel: Meet the fantastic Annya Karina!

A light summer breeze is buzzing around and it's time to show you the new Darling of the month.

This time I talked with the wonderful illustrator Annya Karina about her art and future dreams.
I met this charming lady via Instagram and immediately fell in love with her artworks. I love the pastel colours she uses and how she includes lovely little animal friends into her works. She creates dreams, I would say! Scroll down and have a look yourself!

Hello, Darling! Tell us a few things about yourself!

Hello! My name is Annya Karina Marttinen and I grew up in many places across Canada but currently reside in Southern Ontario. I am the bunny mama of three adorable little bunnies named Peaches, Oats and Olive. Illustration is my full time career but when I am not waking up before the sun to paint, I enjoy filling my closet with vintage clothing and reading in gardens. My partner is a photographer so I also spend a lot of time art directing and planning out shoots with him. Also, I am a vegetarian and obsessed with brunch. My passion comes from my introvert personality and the natural ability to be patient that comes with it. I was a very studious child so illustration and the alone time that comes with it is perfect for me!

Can you describe, what drawing means to you?

Drawing has become so natural to me and a huge part of my life from the beginning. It means I get to share my secret dreams and silly little stories I make up which are a reflection of my reality, my paintings become almost like a diary or a "daydream” diary.

Who or what inspires your artworks?

A lot of my artworks are inspired by things I read about or daydreams. I close my eyes and I can see my next painting in my mind so clearly. A lot of what I paint is taken from a feeling of nostalgia and reclusion. 

What do love drawing the most and why?

Rabbits and girls in bedrooms. It’s a reoccurring theme in my illustrations. I love drawing rabbits because they are my favourite creatures and I love everything about their company and mentality. Drawing girls is always something I have grown to love more and more because adding a human creates a story and personality to my paintings. It makes my paintings relatable. The outfits (most of the time drawn from another era) are my favourite elements to dream up, it’s almost like being able to dress up my own dolls and adding a quirky personality to go with it. Bedrooms are always the sweetest to paint, I think they are an intimate detail into daily routine which can be very endearing.

When do you find yourself drawing?

I love drawing in the early morning when my mind is clear and enthusiastic. I am a morning person and feel best when the day is taken on immediately. I do not understand the concept of “sleeping in”, or enjoy sleep at all. Whenever I wake up I have this huge burst of creative energy that needs to be used!

Who are your favourite artists?

In terms of children’s books, Gyo Fujikawa and Beatrix Potter always stood out to me. In terms of fine art I adore the works of Frederick Morgan.

Do you have any colours and stationery tools you favour?

Right now I am completely in love with peach as well as mustard. I pretty much use those colours in every painting recently. As for stationary tools, bakers twin and deco tape have always been necessities. I have also been carving my own rubber stamps. 

What are your future projects?

Right now I have been working on all over patterns for a SS16 children’s clothing line in Paris. These will be released next summer along with a little children’s story booklet that I will be illustrating as well.

What three things are the most important to you?

My partner, my rabbits and eating natural.

Whats your favourite music?

Some of my favourite artists include Sufjan Stevens, Ben Howard, Tennis and The Paper Kites.

The image of a perfect life is ... 

...living in quiet solitude in a little cottage far away from the city with a little family and my continued success as an illustrator. My house always has to be pristine as my partner and I are very particular when it comes to home decoration. A little garden to call my own would be included in my idea of a perfect life as well.

A person you want to meet someday and why!

I would want to meet or at least see a photo of my blood relatives. Both of my parents were adopted so they are as far back as I have seen in terms of lineage. It would be interesting to know where some of my traits came from. Other than that, I would want to meet Elle Fanning because I think she is absolutely delightful.

Wanna see more of Annya Karina's art? Check out her instagram, her blog,  

tumblr and shop!

Please note that all  photos are property of Annya Karina! 
Do not use without permission!!!

Also want to become a "Darling of the Month?

Send me an E-Mail at: talesofaflowerchild@gmx.de or just read here first!

Darling of the Month - Sina's natural way of life

Hello everybody! It's time for a new "Darling of the month". This time I talked with my friend Sina about cosmetics and her art. She's a real child of nature which you can find in everything she creates. I only know Sina by exchanging words, but she's such an inspiring soul and she makes me want to try out so many new things.
Read the interview with this pretty flower!


Sina, you have so many fantastic talents. This time we will focus on your selfmade cosmetics and artworks.

First of all, tell us a few things about yourself!

Well, I am a 25 years old vegan and grew up in the south of Germany. After finishing school I moved to Berlin and spent there 5 years.

I always wanted to study illlustration or restoration but in the end I ended up with studying "organic agriculture and marketing" in Eberswalde (a bit outside of Berlin).

Next to this I was working at a small organic farm and in the Prinzessinnengarten, an urban gardening project in the middle of Kreuzberg.

I really found another passion and inspiration in gardening and farming. The influences you always can find in my creative projects.

Two years ago I finished then my bachelor degree with a focus on urban farming in connection with environmental education. And a little bit over a year ago I moved to Sweden.

I am living now with my partner in Nyköping, a small town an hour from Stockholm. Since nine months I work as gardner on an organic, permaculture farm a little bit outside of Nyköping.

There I finally can try out what I learned during my study. My main responsibility is the planning and establishing of a vegetable garden.

When and why did you decide to produce your own cosmetics/skin care products?

The main influence was definatley my study. With learning more and more about organic farming and sustainability, I also got more and more aware about the products I'm using.

For me it was shocking how many horrable ingredients you even find in organic products (artificial scents, silicones etc.) . For me it is super important to actually know what I put on my skin and how it is affecting it.

We are always surrounded by toxics in our daily life so I at least want to treat my skin with products of high quality.

My mom is already making her own cosmetic products since I'm small and has a great knowledge about it. She was also a great inspiration and still always helps me out with tips.

For how long did you practise to make them?

I started already 3-4 years ago but then I did just from time to time an easy cream or body lotion.

With my move to Sweden it got more. In Nyköping you just have a small varity on organic products. So I partly was also forced to do my own products. Make up was one of these products. In a small town like Nyköping I just couldn't

find an organic make-up that suits my skin type and colour, so I started to making my own.

How often do you make creams/balms/salves etc.? 

I would say at least once a month. In the summer it will get more. I also like to make healing salves out of herbs like calendula or comfrey.

So I try to make a little stock of salves for the autumn and winter.

Have you ever thought of selling your products?

I did and I hope to do it in the future. At the moment I just have a very small kitchen so I just have not the capacity to do it in bigger amounts. It is also impossible to reach a high hygiene standard in this small kitchen.

But maybe later this year I will have the opportunity to do it.

What is important for you when it comes to cosmetics in general?

For me it is important that I know the ingredients. I want to know the effect on my skin, of each and every ingredient.

Besides of that it is important for me that the ingredients are mainly organic. I want to use oils and butters, that are free of chemicals. Just organic produced ingredients can assure this for me.

I'm vegan so I want to use just cruelty free produced products. No being should ever suffer for the product I'm using.

What's important for you while creating your own cosmetics?

I love the process of producing something with my own bare hands. We humans are so disrooted from nature and a self sufficiant life.

My goal is to learn more and more processes that bring me to a self suffiants life. Making my own cream gives me always a very independent feeling. I know I'm

not dependet on big concers that are producing cosmetic products.

Besides of this hygiene is very important for me. I just make small amounts so I don't have to preserve them. Therefor you have to be as clean as possible and deinfect all the tools and surfaces.

Which plants do you use preferably?

My favourite will always be the marigold. It's healing affects are great and they're so easy to grow in your own garden.

Besides of this I love to use comfrey, houseleek, yarrow, buckhorn and arnica.

I work on a farm so my hands are always dry and broken, these herbs are really my saviors.

Do you still buy some cosmetics in a store? If so, what are your favourite brands?

Yes I do. Products like shampoo or showering gel are really hard to produce by yourself and also not very affordable.

I personaly love the products from Dr. Bronner, I+M Berlin, Primavera, Weleda and Estelle&Thild Stockholm.

You also draw the labels for your cosmetics. When did you start drawing?

I always did. I was in a gymnasium with art in focus. So I had art as a main subject in school.

Then there are always times where I do not draw a lot. I have to feel stressless and inspired to do it.

What do you love drawing the most and why?

I love to draw plants. My whole life has it's focus on gardening and farming, so I love to also pick up these topics in my illustrations.

Guess you can find always something nature related in each and every illustration I did.

What tools do you use for that?

I use mainly fineliners and water colours. The last months I also experimented a bit with ink. But still I need more practice in that, I'm not very satisfied with the results.

Do you listen to music while you're drawing? If so, which one?

I do quiete a lot. It always depends on my mood I love dreampop, garage punk, black metal, punk, experimental and folk.

At the moment I am listening a lot to Makthaverskan, Hurula and The Sund Days. But it can change with every week.

I also made some mixtapes, you can check them out here: https://8tracks.com/alfarull

What's your next project? I bet we are all curious to hear about!

I'm currently working on a little fanzine about my favourite herbs. I hope to finish it in may and will then also offer it in my little webshop.

Besides of this I would also like to upload an easy liquid make up recipe. Hope to manage all this soon!

And here you can see some of Sina's wonderful artworks!

Artemisia Vulgaris

Hildegard von Bingen

Stinging Nettle

Charles Darwin

Hel, goddess of the dead

Wanna see more of Sina's talents? Check out her blog here!

Please note that all photos are property of Sina! Please do not use without permission!!!

Also want to become a "Darling of the Month?

Send me an E-Mail at: talesofaflowerchild@gmx.de or just read here first!

Darling of the Month - Step into Anastasia's world full of flowers and dreams

Finally it's April and here's a new talented young lady I want to present you. I found Anastasia through Instagram and her art really cought my eye. Her works look like directly taken from a dream - soft and gentle. I really love the way she includes flowers and leaves in and around her drawings.


Hello Darling, tell us a bit about who you are!
So, who am I? My name is Anastasia, I'm 18 years old and I'm from Ukraine.

I'm afraid and I don't want to say that I'm an artist, I'm just an observer of beauty. I really want to look at everything that has a soul and beauty and I want to share it with people. I want to show how I see it. And even if it doesn't work I still try to do it every day.

I like rain and fried macaroni, I have a favorite toy panda, his name is Pampidoo. I like to read, watch TV series and drink warm tea. Well, I am an usual person as you can see. After I understood that I can collect a herbarium all year long, I started to like all seasons. Even in winter you can find wonderful branches or leaves under the snow. I love the night, that's why I often draw it. It has a secret, mystery, you can hide in it. That is all what I love.

Your works always look very nature themed. Are you a nature child?
I think yes, but it happended recently. For one year I do something every day, like drawing, collecting something that has life. And my hands just started to draw the nature, leaves, flowers. I always saw the beauty of nature, but only now I want to take peace of it with myself. I guess something changed in me and I didn't even noticed.

When do you find yourself drawing?
I didn't want to associate my life with drawing. Sometimes I did cards for my friends, but I never thought about something more. And when I finished my school I had to choose the college. And as I don't have a lot of skills in different subjects, I decided to try to enter to the College of Art. And it worked. As a result I have been devoting oneself to creation for 2,5 years. Yes, it is suddenly and strangely. Life is so unpredictable.

What do you love drawing the most?

Girls, dreams, the night sky, kindness, hands (they are beautiful, especially hands of artists and musicians. I like to watch at someone's hands when he or she is doing something). I don't prefer something special, there are so many beautiful things in the world.

Do you listen to music while you're drawing? If so, which one?

My life is similar to a film with music, maybe compareable with a musical. Sometimes I can forget about music when I am drawing, and sometimes I can be inspired by it. But I always listen to music, IAMX for example.

Who or what inspires your artworks?

I can be inspired by different unexpeted things. I can walk along the street in the late evening under the starry sky, and all this thoughts around me, about what I would like to do with it, to swim in the sky, to walk, to fly above it. 

Or photos on the internet, a girl on the street, eyes, gestures, hand movements and then my head starts to create the image of the entirety. I can be inspired by words, phrases. Inspiration is in the simplest things. You just need to take a closer look. Our fantasy is unlimited.

Who is your favourite artist?

Vincent van Gogh. And it's a true love. I like him as an artist and as a person. I have already read his letters to his brother a few times and it feels like he is alive, his letters have a boundless soul.

Do you have any future projects in mind?

 I have a lot of ideas, I just need to develop. Something I just can't draw, but I'm on the way to do it. I have ideas about fairy tales, stories, but to be honest, I am clumsy in writing texts. Anyway I'm still trying and illustrating them. It's a experience full of pleasure. I like to write and draw letters. I have done a few recently for some people. I like to share the kindness.

Do you have a shop where you sell your creations or are you taking on customer orders?
No, I don't have anything like that. Some people ordered my pictures for a few times. I just redrew them and that's it. I think my works are not ready for such deals.

Wanna see more of Anastasia's art? Check out her Instagram!

Please note that all photos are property of Anastasia! Please do not use without permission!!

Also want to become a "Darling of the Month?

Send me an E-Mail at: talesofaflowerchild@gmx.de or just read here first!

Darling of the month - Meet Roosa and her beautiful art!

Today I want to present you the first "Darling of the month": My friend Roosa!
I am a real big fan of her wonderful paintings, everthing is so fine and delicate and I love the way she uses colours!  
Looking at her drawings is like floating away in another world for a while...Have a look yourself!



 
Hello Darling, tell us abit about who you are!

Hello! My name is Roosa. I'm 19 years old and I come from a little town in Finland. Currently I'm working as a practicing journalist in the local newspaper and planning to apply for college/university this year. My hobbies are drawing, painting, snail mailing and going to gym. I love art and collecting pretty things.


When did you start drawing/painting?

I don't remember the exact time, I think I have always drawn and kept drawing because I liked it. When I was a child I went to an art club for kids for a few years.

Do you listen to music while you're drawing? If so, which one?

Yes, I do! I usually listen to my favourite music at the moment but my music taste varies a lot. Currently I'm listening to a lot of Hard Rock and Metal.

Who or what inspires your artworks?

I get inspiration for my portraits when I see an interesting looking or a beautiful person and immediately think: "I want to draw her/him!" Inspiration for my other works just comes by picking up a pen or a paintbrush and letting myself go with it. Seeing good work of other artists also inspires me and makes me want to work harder to achieve greatness.

When do you find yourself drawing?

Usually in the evening or at night. For some reason I feel the most inspired at that time. I can draw regardless of what my emotions are but if I feel sad or angry drawing feels really therapeutic. I usually don't find the time to concentrate on drawing during working weeks so when I have a lot of free time I'm usually more productive!

Who are your favourite artists?

I always find it hard to pick only a few favourites, I just enjoy art in general. To mention some I like Marco Mazzoni who has a very unique and beautiful style to draw. I also like the magical paintings by J. W. Waterhouse.

Do you keep a journal for sketching some ideas?

Sometimes but not at the moment.

What do you love drawing the most?

Portraits! The past few years I've been focusing a lot on that and trying to learn to draw the human face better and better.

Where do you store all of your works?

In a big folder/bag.

Do you have any colours and stationery tools you favour?

Not really. I always just use what I have. ( :

Do you have any future projects in mind?

At the moment I'm just drawing for fun and there are no specific projects. However, if someone is interested in requesting an idea for a project/drawing I will be happy to hear about it!

Wanna see more of Roosa's art? Check out her tumblr site: roosamaria-art.tumblr.com

Please note that all photos are property of Roosa! Please do not use without permission!!

Also want to become a "Darling of the month"? Send me an E-Mail at 
talesofaflowerchild@gmx.de