Artist Feature: Aleksandra (ASV Illustrations)
Creator of precious ponies, clown cats, and fairy rats whose adorableness melts my brain.
I discovered Aleksandra in my trusty ACEO feed on BlueSky, and OMG. Her little starry-eyed critters resonate with my My-Little-Pony-meets-Lady-Lovelylocks-loving little girl’s heart so deeply. She gives form to the wishful imaginings of everyone who’s ever daydreamed of holding a tiny pegasus in their hand, or imagined a fairy cat peeping from beneath a nodding daisy. I can’t even. I mean, LOOK:
I want them all, haha! I’m always excited to see what beautiful little cutie Aleksandra creates next. You can’t look at these darlings and not think, “Yep — the artist’s heart is in there, and she must be a wonderful human.” And you’d be right. Let’s meet her!!
Welcome, Aleksandra! Tell us about the artist behind the art.
Only now as I am approaching 30 do I feel like I’m finally finding who I am and I really love her. I’m very confident and outgoing and just love people. I’m not good at sitting still and doing nothing, so that lead to me having multiple creative outlets — I’m able to do something with my hands and brain at all times. My approach to life these days is to just go for it, if you want to do/try/learn something new — regardless of what people make think of you — and that’s gotten me quite far 😊
How long have you been creating?
I’ve been making art my entire life; as a young child it was my favorite activity from the time I could hold a pencil! I fell out of it in high school and college when I felt like it “wasn’t cool”, and regrettably even got rid of all of my old sketchbooks. I never pursued art as a career and instead went with biology and public health — I now work as an epidemiologist. But after having a baby, I felt lost and needed to find myself again. I began to reconnect with the creative side of myself again. Since then, I’ve gotten back into painting and drawing and pottery, and have since even learned to work with stained glass and to crochet and knit! ACEOs are brand new to me and they feel like they are a great way to branch out and connect with people.
ACEOs are a low-stakes, small-format way for me to make something new and small everyday, even if I’m low on time — and it’s been SO good for my mental health.
Instead of doom-scrolling, I’m doodling now!
What materials/supplies do you use?
I prefer a thicker paper, like a watercolor paper, and I like to use alcohol markers, Prismacolor pencils and gouache. I love mixed media.
What is it about creating ACEOs that gives you that awesome jolt of dopamine?
I just love that there are people out there that find my art aesthetically pleasing and want to own it! It makes me happy to think that looking at my work made someone feel happy.
What are you learning in life, right now?
Put yourself and your happiness first, and everything else will follow.
Also, don’t become complacent — always strive to improve yourself. Even if it’s learning a new medium, a new skill, reading a new book, etc.
Jenivieve: Is there a book you’re reading right now, that you’d recommend?
I’m currently reading “The Botany of Desire” and “The Song of the Dodo.” I’m trying to read more nonfiction this year. I’ve always been interested in evolution and extinction and both of these cover that, and the role humankind has played in specific scenarios. Both are very interesting and very informative and I highly recommend them.
What are some of your artistic influences and inspirations?
Honestly, my cats. I have four (Belmont, Misfit, Zaya, and Linus) and I am SUCH a cat lady. Whenever I have an art block I just draw them and usually something comes of it! That’s why I have so many cat ACEOs 😊
Jenivieve: I relate to this so much — my dear orange-and-white-creamsicle-kitty is the main source of my inspiration, too. Have you ever managed to take a photo of all four cats at once? (i.e., have you actually herded cats?)
And, if yes, could you share a photo with us? 😆
Haha, never! But I’m always happy to share pictures of them for all the world to see. ❤️ Here are all of my cats, from left-to-right: Linus is the black one (the old man), the lynx point Siamese is Zaya (princess of the house), Misfit is the tuxedo (the dumpster goblin), and the fluffy one is Belmont (the most perfect gentleman).
Clown Cat 1 [Sold]
This was my first ACEO ever!
“Butterfly Besties” [Sold]
“Little Outlaw”
This one is directly inspired by my cat, Misfit :)
Winter Cat 3 [Sold]
I LOVE to color calicos!
Year of the Horse 1 [Sold]
This has been my highest-selling card yet! I’m a horse girl, so this is only the first in this ongoing series!
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our fellow artists?
If you want to make ACEOs, go for it!!
If I’ve learned anything, it’s that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and there is a market for EVERYONE’S style. ❤️
Thank you so much, Aleksandra!
The little ACEO format suits your style so wonderfully — little magical creatures captured on little magical cards. It’s fun seeing what cute thing inspires you next, and we look forward to seeing more of your art in the future!