Surrealism knows no bounds when it comes to Tel Aviv, Israel based illustrator Lidia Tomashevskaya’s works. The world in Lidia’s personal illustrations is inhabited by stunning fantastical creatures and dreams, and it often requires multiple viewings to find various magical elements hidden inside it.

Lidia was born and brought up in Saint-Petersberg, Russia and moved to Tel Aviv to study design. We had a conversation with her about work and life. Read on:

Tell us something about your childhood.

I was born in Saint-Petersburg, Russia – an amazing, beautiful city. I was raised by my mother and grandfather. My mother is a very talented artist, and she would often teach me drawing. My grandfather taught me to love reading. He was one of the greatest and most clever people I have met in my life.

I ended up going to a school which was very close to my house. I often got bullied in school and was considered a “weirdo”. I met my best friend there at 14 though, and we are still friends.

What influenced you creatively when you were growing up?

I think cartoons influenced me a lot, from Sailor Moon to beautiful Russian cartoons. I was also influenced by the books I read which ranged from fantasy books to Scottish ballads. I used to also draw pretty and fashionable clothes for my best friend and myself in paintbrush – hundreds of dreamy looks that we couldn’t afford then.

You moved from Russia to Israel to study design and illustration. Tell us a bit about that.

I formally studied only design. I studied illustration on my own. While it was fun to study design, it was a bit hard for me because I was working and studying at the same time. But I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to get that education. Now, I have a dream to study animation.

What are some of the main influences in your work? 

I am very interested in Russian folk art. I love Russian patterns and naive illustrations which I think are great and very spiritual.

Your work is also inhabited by a lot of animals.  

Yes, I love animals and birds. I think they are really beautiful. Sometimes, I use their images as symbols – birds as freedom, wolf as depression and anxiety, and fox as soul.

Summer 2015

Animals 2017

Yes, I love animals and birds. I think they are really beautiful. Sometimes, I use their images as symbols – birds as freedom, wolf as depression and anxiety, and fox as soul.

What’s your personal favorite project so far? 

That would be the ‘Bird king and the spirit of the forest’. This illustration is inspired by African masks and pagan costumes. I think this scene looks like a weird fantastic dream. This is my favorite work so far.

Bird king and the spirit of the forest

How do you balance between commercial and personal projects?

Unfortunately, right now I don’t have a lot of commercial projects. I’m working at a studio as a designer and in my free days, I draw for myself. I really want to became a full-time illustrator soon.

How does Tel Aviv inspire you and your work? What do you like and dislike most about it?

I don’t like Tel Aviv as much I like Saint -Petersburg and Jerusalem. But it is a fun and youthful city with a lot of cute and authentic shops and cafés. And then there is the sea; I love the sea. And I also love the old Jaffa Port. It reminds me of my favorite computer game The Longest Journey, where the world was divided into two worlds – Stark which is the place where technology wins and Arcadia where the world of magic wins. Old Jaffa reminds me of Marcuria, the capital of Arcadia.

Tell us a bit about your daily work routine.

It’s nothing very special really. I use Pinterest a lot. I also end up watching some stupid Russian or Ukrainian talk shows while I am working. I barely use the working table, and often end up working on my bed.

Who are the visual artists/illustrators around the world that you really admire?

I like Andrey Remnev, Akira Kusaka, Roger Ballen, Mar Hernandez, and Réka Bucsi. They are all modern artists that I really admire.

What are the some of the things that have deeply inspired you over the years?

I think I have been inspired by some of the traumatic experiences I have had in my life – like being betrayed, being depressed, surviving depression, and some other such experiences which are too personal.

May-June 2017

Summer 2015

What’s on your mind these days?

From time to time, I used to make these cute illustrations because I knew that people would like them and they were fairly easy for me to create. But now I want to create more thoughtful and honest work which I would be truly proud of.

What are you currently working on?

I’m working on a series of portraits of women who repatriated to Israel from Russia, fighting with antisemitism in Russia and now fighting Russophobia here in Israel. This is for an exhibition.

I think I have been inspired by some of the traumatic experiences I have had in my life – like being betrayed, being depressed, surviving depression, and some other such experiences which are too personal.

End of 2016 works

You can read the rest of the issue four here.