@monika_forsberg

Instagram: @monika_forsberg Website: www.walkyland.com  

1. What's your story? Where are you from?

I'm Monika and I'm from Sweden but I've lived in the U.K. For So long I can't really say what I am ( if specifying by nationality).

2. Tell us about your aesthetic.

I'm a bit of a chameleon, I do a bit of this and a bit of that. I use quite a bit of colours because I'm a pale person. I disappear in monotone palettes. I like patterns and stories. And mathematics.

3. What is your favourite medium and why?

I never had the confidence to call Myself an artist. I was never great at art ( but I loved making it) and so I ended up making animations where singular pictures wasn't important but the sequences of imagery put together. It's quite tiresome to draw 1000000 drawings just because you're too insecure to draw 1. So I got a grip and started practising drawing. And I used marker pens because I needed something that felt familiar and secure( as kids I drew w marker pens). So. Marker pens!

4. What is your artistic process like?

When drawing for Myself ( not commission work) I draw all the things that people commissioning me never ask for such as crazy staring women in hats or badly dressed cats. Or patterns. I start from nothing and produce a small Mountain of drawings and scan them in and then I'm Done. I listen to Audio books whilst I draw and even when I write. I find it hard to concentrate if I'm Concentrating on concentrating.

5. Who and/or what inspires your work?

Everything. My mum. Memories. My family. I don't go out a lot so I often imagine things and draw them. Well I go out everyday. But maybe not into town. Inspiration is everywhere. Especially in London. When I go to Sweden everything is too perfect and I don't feel Inspired. So Chaos is inspiring.

6. What role does art play in your life? How does it change the way you view the world?

I started to draw because it was fun. Then I drew because I was shy. Then I didn't draw because I had no big things to tell the world . Art school told me that context and substance was key and I am so shallow I have no profound stuff to say. But I have itchy fingers so I started to draw again but just for fun. And then I became an illustrator. It's a huge part of My life. I always made things. Except from when I didn't ( and I was v unhappy then).

7. Where did you study?

Royal College of Arts

8. Where do you see yourself in five years? Working in an agency?

I see myself having a studio. I hope I will. I wish I will have a studio. And draw lots of fun things and work with great people

9. What about in ten?

Maybe running a marathon? Jokes aside. I hope I'm Having fun. With work travel and family.

10. What do you hope to achieve with your art?

I don't know If I have an agenda. To Make a living from it. Yes. That.

11. Now, tell us a little more about you as a person: what is your favourite food?

Risotto maybe. Or fish. I'm not sure. Best food is when someone Else cooks It. It's so nice to eat food other people have cooked. But I like Making risotto.

12. Favourite book?

I really like Kristen Hersh's autobiography. Apart from that... There are so Many books I can't think of a Single one. I read Jane Austen pride and prejudice Several Times. I liked that one. But then I love Charles Bukowski. Too. And... I yet to read Another roadside attraction by ( tom something?) I got that book 22 years ago and I think I would really love it. I just not read it yet.

13. Favourite genre of music?

I sort of got Stuck on American bands like pavement, codeine and ween. But also love Leonard Cohen and billie Holiday. And a lot of 80's pop. I don't listen to music much. It makes My head so clear and focused I cannot think.

14. What are your hobbies?

Swimming in cold Water and watching football ( soccer) and collecting stamps

15. If you weren't an artist, what would you be?

A doctor. Doctor Forsberg.