The Italian Artist, is a freelance illustrator and painter. She claims that felt pens are her best friends and her illustrations are the proof. Vibrant and bright, Sofia’s drawings are inspired by real life situations, people, animals, etc.

Sofia’s business card is also creative, AF. One side of the business card has a smile printed on it. Such a cool way to spread smiles, right?

We explored more about Sofia’s work and projects in a fun interview with her.

JWB: Tell us about yourself and your work.

Sofia: I’m an Italian illustrator based in Dundee, Scotland. I’ve studied Fine Arts in Milan where I got a lot of exposure, and I started understanding that you can do art with everything and with any medium you like, not only canvas and acrylics. Later, I realized I was interested in Illustration, that too,  magazine illustration which is why I pursued Masters in Editorial Illustration at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna.

I like felt marker, colors, bubble soap, books, music and smiling. 

JWB: Which media houses and other publishers have you worked with?

Sofia: I worked for Pizza e Pasta Italiana Magazine, 1977 Magazine, Creative Dundee, Chicken and Broccoli Magazine, The Skinny Magazine and more…

JWB:You are more into drawing faces. Do you have any live inspiration to draw them?

Sofia: Could be silly, but my live inspiration to draw faces is people around me. I love to see how they approach each other, what they wear and their poses/expressions. Face features can tell a lot about their characters.

 At the very beginning of my studies in University, I started with the family pictures. Most of my works were distinguished by a prevailing smile that hid some deep feelings: absence, malice, jealousy, etc.,  in short, everything that we might find hidden behind a smile which more often than not is an untrue happiness.

So far, the style changed, but the subject still interests me more.

JWB: What age do you love to draw the most? And why?

Sofia: I don’t have a particular age to draw: I can draw children, teenager, adults and so on if they interest me.

JWB: Your ‘Women in Innovation’ digital sketch is very intriguing. Elaborate on the concept.

Sofia: “Women in Innovation” was a contest where I’ve two of my illustrations were selected.

Job Match: The woman of the twenty-first century can work in different professions and make progress in any and every career. This message is represented by a childhood game because the future is our young generation.

Farzi la scorza: it’s an interpretation of an Italian idiom which means ‘to be strong.’ So thinking about the past, the woman fought for her rights. The future woman will be more strong because she will be capable of following her dreams and realizing them.

JWB: Your Project GLI ULTIMI SARANNO I PRIMI looked very impressive. How did you come up with the project and what was its impact?

Sofia: ‘Gli Ultimi Saranno I Primi’,  is a special mention for ‘Up_Nea 14 Lo stato dell’arte (ai tempi della crisi),’ curated by Annalisa Bergo and ‘Nudoecrudo Teatro Association’ at Fabbrica Borroni. (Bollate, Italy). This project aids to write an own opinion about the society. We interviewed candidates who wanted to participate. And, they were ordinary people who had suffered from a moment of pain in their personal lives due to several causes. Their thoughts were written under a portrait of them. These works were placed, as posters, around the streets of Bollate city.

In my opinion, the 21st-century artists must attend to the people.

For this reason, after careful consideration, I directed my attention and my work to the public.

Surprisingly, I had a lot of interviews, and this allowed me to do almost hundred posters which I placed all around the city. My exhibition was very well-received by most and people came back to me with compliments and a few of them also sent me their interview so as to participate in the project.

JWB: You are spreading smiles with your project Take a smile. What makes you smile the most? Would you take your smilefie and send it to us!

Sofia: Ha-Ha! Good question. Umm…  friends, good food, cakes, Aperol Spritz! 

I took a smilefie with my friends when we had Sunday lunch! 😛

JWB: We loved your art on lighters. How did you come up with the idea? Is it available online somewhere?

Sofia: I was in a tobacco shop, and there was a long queue.  I looked at some lighter and thought that they have a really funny shape. Don’t you think? 

That’s how the idea came up, and I created a little collection of animals!

Till now, they aren’t available online but if anyone wants them, they can drop me an email, and I’ll make them.

JWB: We also looked up to the animal embroidered mouth warmers. What other forms of art are you into?

Sofia: I’m a curious person, so I like to experiment with different kinds of art and craft. I have a screen printing frame, and I would like to do a collection of t-shirts and jewelry with my illustrations in the future.

I love illustrated design, packaging, sculpture, engraving, games, dance and a lot of other things.

JWB: You posted a ‘what’s your mood on Monday illustration.’ What’s your idea to get over the Monday blues?

Sofia: What helps me most with the “Monday blues” is to do what I like most at that moment. It could be a drawing, an illustration or going out and inhaling some fresh air. 

JWB: ‘Running inspired me in my life!’ Tell us more about it.

Sofia: It’s been almost a year since I joined a runner club. Since then, running is inspiring me in my life and my job to always challenge myself to get better.

If you don’t challenge yourself, and get out from your comfort zone, you won’t be better.

JWB: Would you define your art as a feminist one?

Sofia: No, I don’t think so. I draw what I know best and what I like.

JWB: In which color would you paint a strong independent woman?

Sofia: Red and/or orange.

JWB: Future Projects

Sofia: I’m working on some little commission, but a big project here in Dundee is coming soon, and It will involve people as well! I can’t tell you more!

JWB: Preferred medium of illustration

Sofia: Colourful Pen marker

JWB: Rainbow or monochrome?

Sofia: Rainbow! Is there also a treasure? 

JWB: Who is your art critic?

Sofia: Myself! I’m rarely completely satisfied with my illustrations. He-He!

JWB: Have you ever drawn a valentine card? Would you like to share the photo and story behind it?

Sofia: I drew a Saint Valentine illustration but, could be a card if you print it. I was thinking about the love at first sight because I had it with my boyfriend.

You can see her entire work here.

Photo Source: