The Artist Behind the Art: Una's Unparalleled Illustrations

“Find the joy in this medium and if you like it, then practice and practice and you will make wonders.” - Una’s advice to watercolor beginners

Meet Una, a full-time artist, and traveler hailing from the picturesque country of Latvia. Her story is one of passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of creative freedom.

Una's artistic voyage began in an unexpected place—the bustling atmosphere of a kitchen. After completing high school, she dove headfirst into the culinary world, working her way up to become a skilled chef.

"The Open Book" in Watercolor

But amidst the sizzling pans and aromatic spices, Una nurtured a secret hobby—doodling. What started as a casual pastime soon transformed into a burning desire to capture the essence of her travels in beautifully illustrated journals.

"I really wanted to make some cute travel journals with photos and my drawings to remember the adventures me and my partner had."

The mundane routine of a 9-to-5 job left her craving more, a yearning for the liberty to explore her creative potential.

As fate would have it, Una's doodling hobby began to flourish. Through dedicated daily practice and a sprinkle of determination, her sketches evolved into intricate, mesmerizing drawings of buildings inspired by her travels and those of others. And thus, Inky Paper House was born, a platform where Una's architectural artistry takes center stage.

Pottery shopfront 'In Bloom' in London

Her medium of choice? Ink and watercolors. Una's preference for this dynamic duo stems from the boldness of ink and the fluidity of watercolors. It's a combination that mirrors her spirit—unapologetically bold yet flowing with unrestrained freedom.

"I really like how bold I can be with the ink and how flowy and free I can be with watercolors. So this combination is making me happy, and I think that is the most important thing."

Where does Una draw inspiration for her captivating creations? The answer, she reveals, is as diverse as the world itself.

"The secret of finding inspiration for me isn't one simple answer. For sure, it is the world, the buildings, the people, the food, the colors, new experiences."

Her unique approach involves finding clarity through activities like cleaning, which opens her mind to new ideas.

While Una doesn't attribute her inspiration to a single individual, the enchanting country of Italy holds a special place in her heart. The warm hues, ancient architecture, and delectable cuisine have undeniably left an indelible mark on her artistic expression. Moreover, her unwavering support and encouragement from her partner, friends, and family have fueled her creative fire.

"Flat White Kitchen" in Watercolor

Una offers insightful advice for aspiring artists eager to embark on their own creative journeys.

"For people who just start out with watercolors, get a good watercolor paper; it will change your experience. Find a brush you feel comfortable with... and, of course, some nice colors. Then just play around first; make some swatches, some flowers, some doodles. Find the joy in this medium, and if you like it, then practice and practice, and you will make wonders."

And for those looking to dive into the world of ink, she suggests,

"Find a good waterproof ink fine liner (if you want to combine it with watercolors) and then doodle something, make some strokes, make some scribbles. Feel the pen and let the magic happen."

Before the ink meets the paper, Una sets the stage for her artistic endeavors. A lover of music, she kicks off her creative sessions with a lively dance, letting the rhythm infuse her work with energy. Her go-to artists include Ultimo, Peter Raffoul, and Sonreal. When engrossed in her drawings, Una turns to sources of inspiration such as travel channels or podcasts on YouTube.

"La Guinguette d’Angèle" in Watercolor

In Una's art, we witness the convergence of creativity and courage. Her journey from a culinary career to a flourishing artistic endeavor serves as a reminder that passions can be nurtured and dreams can be realized with dedication and resilience. With ink-stained hands and a heart full of wanderlust, Una continues to capture the world's beauty one stroke at a time, inviting us all to explore alongside her.

Like Una, Find Inspiration Everywhere

Check out more of Una's unparalleled illustrations on Instagram! You can also get inspiration from her YouTube channel.

A London Pub

Are you seeking additional inspiration? Discover a wealth of stories from fellow artists just like yourself! If you're eager to share your own narrative, reach out to irick@altenew.com.

Through this blog, we want to give artists and imaginative minds a stage to exhibit their skills and exchange their distinct journeys with a broader audience. Conversations with creatives consistently unfold into a wellspring of motivation, which is precisely why we're enthusiastic about the prospect of receiving your stories!