How does one study languages and become a full-time illustrator?

Justė Urbonavičiūtė [Justə Urbpnəvit∫iu:tə] aka Kissi Ussuki is a freelance illustrator based in Vilnius. Her work is gaining traction not only in Lithuania but all around the world too. We sit down to chat about how a 20 something year old woman with an English language degree decided to make a living drawing illustrations. In her words: she couldn’t think of a nicer way to spend her days, and she also hated the idea of getting a job. How did she make it work?

DO YOU REMEMBER THE DAY WHEN YOU DECIDED TO MAKE DRAWING YOUR FULL-TIME JOB?

It’s hard to recall it as I’ve been drawing from an early age. But I do remember how my style developed to what it is now. About six years ago one of my New Year’s resolutions was to experiment more with paint. I went over to "Meno mūza", a huge art store in the heart of Vilnius, and bought the prettiest colors I could find - turquoise, lilac, and pink. That’s when I started to get closer to my style and colour palette.

DID YOU OFTEN HAVE TO THROW OUT THE DRAWINGS AND START OVER AGAIN?

There were times, yes. But then I gained a sense that you never really need to tear up and throw out the work, you can simply come back to it in the future and change it to a completely new piece of work.

You can read the full article in -What do people do? magazine, order at our online shop.

WORDS: VIKTORIJA APRIMAITĖ

PHOTOS: UGNĖ HENRIKO