YOU ARE A SNACK AND A STAR

Sibel Balac’s playful illustrations and animations showcase her love for travel and intercultural dialogue. The German-Turkish artist plays with traditional notions of femininity to create new and affirmative interpretations of self-love and positive embodiment. Dive into today’s upbeat feature to learn about Sibel’s inspirations, ongoing projects, and future aspirations.

Growing up in Germany, a multicultural country, has influenced your work positively. How do you incorporate diverse influences into your illustrations, and how does fostering connections with creatives from around the world enrich your artistic practice?

Yes, I believe you could say growing up in Germany, surrounded by its multicultural richness, has been a good source of inspiration for my art. Being raised with a multicultural background, being half German and half Turkish, and having friends from various backgrounds, has naturally shaped the way I see the world. I love infusing my illustrations with this diversity, drawing from everyday experiences and the colorful tapestry of cultures that surround me. I want my characters to evoke a feeling of playfulness and light-heartedness for everyone. Also, connecting with creatives from around the globe is like opening a window to a world of inspiration and possibilities for me. It’s all about celebrating our differences and finding common ground through creativity.

You mentioned enjoying drawing women and playing with their body shapes. Can you discuss how you challenge traditional representations of femininity in your art, and what message or emotions you hope to convey through your depictions of women?

Absolutely! Shaking up traditional ideas about femininity is a big deal for me. I love drawing women in all shapes, sizes, and vibes (though I’m always looking to improve!). My goal is to spread messages of strength, self-love, and embracing our unique selves in a way that’s totally fun and lively. Each lady I draw has her own story—whether she’s rocking some serious confidence, showing a bit of vulnerability, or just feeling pure joy. It’s all about creating this amazing, fun connection between the viewer and the portrayed character.

Your work covers a wide range of topics, including fashion, feminism, travel, and cultural matters. How do you choose and explore these themes in your illustrations, and are there any particular stories or experiences that inspire your artwork?

I would say my work is simply a reflection of my interests and experiences. When selecting themes to explore in my illustrations, I’m drawn to subjects that resonate with me personally. This can range from tackling important issues like redefining beauty standards to capturing the essence of different cultures through travel-inspired pieces (I’m a huge travel enthusiast), but also things that fuel my inner fangirl, such as nostalgic memories from the 90s in which I grew up, fashion trends, indulging in anime, immersing myself in pop culture, vibing to music, exploring global cuisines, and even finding creative sparks in the amazing worlds of video games.

Personal projects seem to be an essential part of your creative process. Can you share how you approach developing and executing personal projects, and how they contribute to your growth as an illustrator?

Personal projects are like my creative playground. I dive into topics that really interest me, experimenting and honing my style along the way. Plus, they often catch the eye of potential clients who are looking for similar vibes in their projects, which is pretty awesome for keeping the momentum going in my career.

Looking ahead, what aspirations or goals do you have for your artistic career? Are there any new themes or techniques you’re eager to explore in your future illustrations?

I’m really excited about delving deeper into digital illustration and experimenting with mixed media techniques. Landing dream clients and projects is a goal of mine, and I can’t wait to explore new mediums like animation or 3D art. A big dream of mine would be to see my characters depicted as large 3D objects in an exhibition or similar, giving them a stage to shine. Additionally, I would love to expand my presence in the Asian market in the next few years. Watching my illustration style evolve over the past three years has been such a joy, and I’m genuinely looking forward to seeing where it goes from here.

Our current theme is named “Sugar Rush”. If art is like eye candy, what would be your favourite sweet treat?

Oh my, it’s hard to only mention one, but literally everything by Little Thunder! Unfortunately, she doesn’t name all of her artworks, but I highly recommend her art book “Scent of Hong Kong”. It’s the sweetest treat you’ll ever get, I promise.

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Bio

Sibel Balac is an illustrator from Stuttgart, Germany, whose work is celebrated for its vivid illustrations and empowering depictions of women. With a focus on femininity, diversity and culturally inspired themes, Sibel’s bold style provides a dynamic and striking language for all kinds of media. Driven by a passion for travel, Sibel incorporates diverse influences into her work, fostering connections and promoting intercultural dialogue. She invites us all to appreciate the richness of humanity through her art.

Credits

Artist / Sibel Balac @sibelbalac_

www.sibelbalac.de & www.behance.net/sibelbalac

Interview / Markéta Kosinová

90s-Artwork  / Sibel Balac + Jonas Hurrle (@jonyonyonjon)

 

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