Me in 10 minutes:
How did you come to draw illustrations?
It was literally an eureka moment. Drawing illustrations – combining my passion for minimal art yet maximal sentiment – came to me one day (notably the day I first saw a post by Mari Andrew) and the next I had my first post up on @skybanyes. It’s fair to say this ‘eureka’ was fully backed up by three factors:
1) a lifetime of art loving and creating (of various forms, yet never illustrations);
2) my therapist prompting me to use art as an expressive outlet (seeing as it was, for years, so hard for me to ‘get things out’);
3) being a passionate life enthusiast, wanting to be able to light up and enjoy more of life – which was up until now spotted with loss, pain and distress, I had already embarked on a challenge of finding meaning… and peace.
Can you tell me about yourself in 10 seconds?
I am a life enthusiast and healing soul, I create emotional illustrations.. with a pinch of salt.
My illustrations are the output of a life lover ~ troubled soul ~ positive spirit ~ creative mind in self-discovery. An optimistic, passionate and forever curious student of life 🙂
Offering honest and bright perspectives with an brutally raw heart. Aspiring to inspire, enlighten and amuse you. Voilà, enjoy my Gallery!
Why has illustrating prevailed in your life?
Aside feeling less alone in my mental struggles, the pleasure of watercolours, and the nourishing possibilities of pen on paper, ultimately, my illustrations are a means to a fun way to make sense of things. With reflection, vulnerability and mindfulness as my tools, illustrating has enabled me to investigate, understand and express myself, while exploring the worlds inside and outside of me!
Coming upon many delights and insights (often with tears staining my art) I have felt a natural urge to share my creations with anyone who is curled on their sofa – in any corner of the world – thinking they are alone in what they are going through. With growing empathy and compassion, my desire for transmitting connection and positivity to others, through courageous sharing, self-healing and empowerment, is a daily drive for me.
What are your plans for the future?
I feel like my life has been a long ‘off-road’ drive to the ocean. Starting this was like finally reaching the shore and dipping one toe into the water. This feeling is unmet – a combination of pleasure, excitement and overdrive to dive deeper and further.
I’m planning, working, and dreaming about it every day. Don’t be afraid of the unknown for it’s what makes sky magical.
Wanna know more?
What do you do for self care?
My self-care first aid is mindful breathing. Taking a few deep, focused breaths is a simple yet profound aid for such a range of situations! The prime areas I have been investing in for self-care include: psychotherapy, sleep, exercise, meditation, books and sunshine. All my subsequent devoted time and efforts have been positively life-changing!
In the past, I spent the majority of my life battling with my own self. Taking in a lot of negative feelings from life circumstances that were out of my control or beyond my understanding and taking them out on my own self. Professional help, alongside personal work (self-reflection, self-compassion, self-forgiveness, self-acceptance) and the subsequent positive actions, have been key to my self-love journey. No doubt a slow, hard and ongoing process, that has been lifesaving and incredibly rewarding. Realising that life is really ‘too short’ and that I’m the prime responsive of living my own best life are equally my drive for wanting to be as healthy as possible (inside and out), and thus truly embracing and investing in self-care.
Were there any challenges you had to face with creating art?
There are two challenges I face (present tense) in this journey, which are intertwined. One of them is time. The time to work so hard on my creations (because being an artist is much more than the few hours you sit down and ‘draw’) while maintain a full time job to support me and allow me to do this in the first place. The other challenge is the well-established struggle of every single artists out there (shout out to y’all) to be taken seriously and fairly compensated for the work that we do – no, it’s no hobby nor piece of cake. (Cake? Did someone say cake?)
PS. I should mention, I didn’t forget vulnerability – but that’s now gone from a challenge to a strength!
Can I reach you directly?
Bits and bobs
I have a PhD + Postdoctorate in Physics, and it remains my full time day* job.
I currently live in Paris. No, I’m not French, but my gorgeous boyfriend is!
I’m part Greek, British & Australian.
* You see where I’m going with this…