Featured Artist: Liiga Smilshkalne

Welcome everyone to yet another featured artist spotlight! It’s such a treat to interview all these wonderful artists on our site. So I’m going to get right to it, let me introduce you to Liiga Smilshkalne. She’s an artist and Illustrator from Latvia. Liiga describes her art as strange shiny things of a fantastical nature… Which is pretty spot on, if I do say so. 
 
Who are you and what do you do?
I'm a woman from the slightly mysterious land of Latvia who spends outrageous amounts of time drawing strange things that would be very difficult to explain to my extended family.

What kind of art do you enjoy doing the most (digital, traditional, paint)?
Digital! I love mucking about with color right off the bat, painting over things in many, many layers, and it's a lot easier to send over to the client when I'm done.
That said, I do very much enjoy the feel of pen on paper for thumbnail sketches. Sometimes, it's even a glitter pen.


You’re a new addition to the crayon box... What color would you be?
I think I'd be that greenish white that glows in the dark. I'm pretty pale.


What inspires you?
The weird, and the unconventionally pretty. My favorite art briefs are the ones about things that could not and should not exist, but we're just going to go ahead and make the exception for this particular illustration here.
Also there's this very round crocheted bee that a friend sent me. It sits on my desk with beady eyes full of mystery. Quite encouraging.


What's your favorite song to jam out to?
Oh this is tough. I think it might be 'Le Bien Qui Fait Mal' from Mozart Opera Rock. It's very punchy.


If your style was edible what would it be, and why?
I've been told it's reminiscent of gummy bears because of the lighting choices.


A penguin walks through that door right now wearing a little hat. What do they say and why are they here?
"Oh dear oh me, has anyone seen my hat? It is quite small and I cannot find it anywhere. Please, call me if you see it." It leaves before my cat or I can respond and doesn't leave a phone number.


What are some hobbies you do when you’re not doing art?
I like to play video games to wind down from all the drawing. Well, a video game at any rate - I only have the brain for one at a time. Currently it's Warframe. I also enjoy running. Sometimes I even sleep! Not too much though. Terrible hobby that one, too addictive.


What superpower would you have, and why?
I would like to be able to create a little time pocket for myself, where I could do whatever I'd like to do while the rest of the world is on pause. I'd be able to get so much done, and also slack off at the same time!  There would, however, need to be some kind of a loophole to prevent super fast aging in respect to normal time, and also make the internet work.


How do you know when your art is finished (if ever)?
Oh that's easy! When the deadline hits. Otherwise, there's always One More Thing.


You can see more of Liiga’s art here: https://www.inkedgaming.com/collections/artists/liiga-smilshkalne

 
Peace ✌
Hannah
Inked Gaming