Eleonora Arosio
“Nobody becomes an artist in one day”
The bold and fabulous Eleonora Arosio is an illustrator who will light up your ordinary day with the most incredible artistic circus performers. As a travelling nomad, she experienced different cultures, so it is no surprise that she is on a mission to spread the message of empowerment and equality. This is something that you can instantly notice in her art, which is breaking stereotypes and allows an open mind to find peace. Before you dive into the interview, we have to thank her friend Stefano for encouraging her to join Lake. ❤
Eleonora’s art pack is now available in Lake.
In what way do your Italian roots, combined with your expat experience in Amsterdam, Australia, and most recently in London, influence you and your design aesthetic? Have you found your favorite corner of the world to settle in for years to come?
People travel to see different things, embrace new cultures, discover more about themselves and others. I think moving around and living in a place for more than 6 months makes that experience ten times better and ten times more intense: this is what I bring home from Italy and the other beautiful countries I’ve lived in, which have such different natures, colors and people. And no! I still haven’t found a place to call home, even though I definitely still have a soft spot for Melbourne.
Australia with my twin
Netherlands
Apart from portraying a variety of sports, your illustrations often convey messages of women’s empowerment and feeling good in your own skin. It makes me think that you like to create meaningful art. Can you shed some light on the importance of empowerment in your illustrations?
Definitely, I believe the most important thing right now is to be able to speak to younger generations and shape their minds, so they won’t perpetuate cliches that we have been told all our lives and are now struggling to dismiss. Illustration is close to my heart and because it’s gaining in popularity in the era of Instagram, it’s essential that it’s used to spread a message of empowerment and equality.
“I believe the most important thing right now is to be able to speak to younger generations and shape their minds."
What was it like growing up as a twin and when did your first creative memories start to emerge? I can’t help but think that you both found your calling in art.
First of all, my twin and I are non-identical, so we don’t feel each other’s pain like identical twins do - just kidding! But unlike regular siblings, we had to grow up at the same time, which meant that we went through the same phases, friends, and clothes simultaneously. To me it’s always been like having a best friend by my side from day one. In my family, I was the creative kid and even in kindergarten, teachers would go to my mum and say, “She’s gonna be an artist!” and here I am now - but I’m not exactly a Frida Kahlo like they probably expected. My sister was a bit of a late bloomer, she’s always been very introspective and creative in her own way, but it was only when we finished high school that she decided to get into fashion, which later evolved and mixed with photography.
Besides selling prints, you often receive commissions for magazines, and on top of that, you are not afraid of animating your work. What is your favorite thing to do and why?
My favourite would probably be selling prints; there’s just something about a person wanting to pay for your art, hang it on the wall and look at it everyday. Editorial illustration and animation, however, also come really close to the top - I love everything I get to do with my job.
“There’s just something about a person wanting to pay for your art, hang it on the wall and look at it everyday."
What an opportunity it must have been to create a mural for Tictail! How did it come about and what were your feelings towards it?
The Tictail team is amazing and incredibly supportive of my work, so they asked me to design a mural that would speak to the people of New York. I think universally we can say that having more women, minorities, and LGBTQ+ people in power would really make a difference in the world today, so I tried to gather all of that in one single illustration with a single important message: we are stronger together!
What do you think was one of your biggest struggles in pursuing a career in art?
Managing everything. There is so much to do in this job, it’s definitely not just about drawing.
Let’s talk about your art pack in Lake, which is inspired by the circus. There are many great circus performers to color and I love that anyone can create a story around them. The theme is really interesting and I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it in your illustrations so far. What’s the background story for creating this art pack?
I wanted to follow a theme for it. I think that’s a fun way to look into a specific topic, to draw the line but still have the freedom to explore it and be able to play with it. As soon as I thought: “CIRCUS!”, I knew that was the right way to go, because it’s just such a diverse and colorful theme. I knew I would have fun drawing it just as much as people would enjoy adding colors to it.
How have Instagram and other social media affected your business?
They affected it SO much! I mainly use Instagram - I’m not exactly a pro at Twitter and Facebook is more about personal connections and keeping in touch with family and friends. Instagram not only affects the way my art is promoted, but also the way I get inspired by all the other amazing illustrators and whatnot. Plus, it is not easy for freelancers to make work friends (most of the time our workplace is our home), but Instagram gave me a chance to meet some incredible people who inspire me, people I get to share experiences with and who I now consider friends.
“As soon as I thought: “CIRCUS!”, I knew that was the right way to go, because it’s just such a diverse and colorful theme. I knew I would have fun drawing it just as much as people would enjoy adding colors to it. "
We are very happy you became a part of Lake. What convinced you to join us?
I actually have to thank my friend Stefano, who loves the app and messaged me about it, encouraging me to send an email to you. I tried it and fell in love with it too. I thought it was a good opportunity to do something different from my colorful illustrations and see how other people would pick their own palette and finish the drawings in their own way.
Any final thoughts for those who are also making their way as artists?
Keep doing it! Especially if you’re just starting out and your first drawing is hideous (you should have seen mine!), but it’s a long journey and that’s just how art works. Nobody becomes an artist in one day, so be curious and always keep a pencil in your hand.
Do you like Eleonora’s art? Download Lake and color her illustrations.
Intrigued to know more about Eleonora? We got you covered.