DETAILS AND SYMBOLS
My style owes a lot to my pens: they unleash my creativity and give freedom to my expression. Their precision allows me to create by using the tiniest dots, the thinnest lines, and the most detailed shapes. For me, drawing them is the most profound form of meditation.
I love deeply, and I try to think in broad contexts. It is another reason why I chose to express myself and my affection towards nature through tiny symbols. They form the background of a still life; instead of drawing a simple tree, I turn to abstract leaves full of dots, which carry the original, concrete meaning. Similarly, I am drawn to the symbolism of geometric shapes. Although they are static by nature, in my drawings, they portray movement and direction.
Together, the details help complete a still life taken out of nature's reality, which forms our surroundings: plants, animals, people, or even entire ecosystems. The symbols are a reminder that even the smallest dot carries its significance.
THEMES
Nature. The word that defines everything I love. It is rooted deep inside of me.
I grew up in a small village in Eastern Slovakia called Obyce, where I have always been in close touch with nature. A meadow surrounded by the woods is right above my parents' house, and during warm summer evenings, wild animals often wander directly to our doorstep. Just across the street from the house, there is a farm where my grandma had worked her entire life. Every day after school, she taught me how to take care of animals. I remember petting each one that didn't run away from me. :) Flowers, plants, and trees oversaw all these adventures and accompanied me on hiking and fishing trips with my family.
As an adult, I moved to the capital for my university studies. The feeling of disconnection from this energy inspired me to draw natural themes, which was an easy, almost subconscious choice. Particular topics depend on what interests me most at the time.
MY TECHNIQUE AND PENS
I used to be happy with almost everything I had sketched as long as it was drawn with a pencil. However, I began to notice the disadvantages of pencil drawings: to me, they started to seem a little dull. If I wanted to take a photo of one, the details would be almost invisible. If I tried to put more pressure on the pencil, it would smudge and stain the paper. I couldn't make it work.
To figure it out, I started experimenting. I bought various types and brands of black pens and markers and carefully started to liven up the sketches with bolder lines. But not every pen was compatible with my style - I needed one as thin as the delicate stroke of a pencil. It was a long journey, but I managed to find the perfect fit. Soon, I completely replaced pencils with the precise Micron graphic pens.
A similar process took place when creating my commissioned pieces, such as weightlifting belts, surfboards, or helmets. That is when Posca markers came into play and gave wings to my ideas. They are easy to work with and have an unrivaled richness of color.
