Christine Sleta
@christinesleta
christinesleta.art
What is your artist statement?
All my life I knew who I wanted to be. I wanted to show the beauty of the world, in the way I saw and experienced it through the use of my art. My curiosity for different cultures and people has enabled me to capture the beauty, not necessarily found on the outside, but on the inside. I would always experiment with different styles and techniques with my traditional art, but last year, I focused more on fashion digital portraits. Even when it comes to art in fashion, both the outfit and model are equal and therefore, should work in tandem. That’s why I pay a lot of attention to the facial expressions of the models I choose to illustrate. Because of my study in fine arts and how I choose to express my art, I believe my style is quite unique. I believe my formal education has seeped through to my more recent fashion illustrations as well, thus entwining both worlds into one.
What are your inspirations?
My main inspiration is people and what makes them who they are—especially the little, often ignored things. From a few freckles on the face to the way a smile curves or the skin wrinkles, the few strands of hair that gently rest on a cheek or the bridge of a nose. It’s these unique little things that catch my eye and make me want to draw them. I never know what will inspire me today, tomorrow, within the hour or the next minute.
What does your work process look like?
As a full-time freelance illustrator, most of the time I work every day. Depending on how busy my day is I’ll work from home or at a café. I will work anywhere I can find a table with good Wi-Fi. I start a new piece of work by looking for inspiration—usually on Pinterest or Instagram—then I choose a playlist because it helps me find the right vibe for drawing, and of course, I grab a coffee. I always try to do about 70 percent of an illustration in one day. Once I get started, it’s actually really hard to stop.
If tomorrow was the end of the world, what would you do today?
I would pack my watercolors and sketchbook, book the first ticket to Crete, Greece, and spend the day painting the Knossos Palace with its breathtaking landscapes during sunset.
What are the top 10 tracks on your recent playlist?
“Teardrops” by Bring Me the Horizon
“I Won’t Give In” by Asking Alexandria
“Unsainted” by Slipknot
“It Was You” by 12 Stones
“Move Along” by The All-American Rejects
“Hey Look Ma, I Made It” by Panic! At the Disco
“Lemon to a Knife Fight” by The Wombats
“Brand New Kids” by Boston Manor
“World Away” by Tonight Alive
“White Flag” by Normandie
