Maria Nachaeva
Bengaluru, India
Maria Nechaeva, a freelance illustrator from Siberia, is currently based in India. She holds a BA in Visual Communication from the Arts University Bournemouth , where her illustration work began gaining recognition. Her playful, retro-inspired style is deeply influenced by her upbringing near Lake Baikal and the taiga forests. She has worked on murals, magazine illustrations, comics, and packaging designs.
Artist Interview
Q: Your work is full of playful characters combined with a very retro comic aesthetic. What draws you to this combination, and how do you use it to tell meaningful stories in your illustrations?
A: I’ve been drawn to retro visuals since I was a child. My grandmother’s house was filled with USSR children’s books that featured amazing illustrations, and I also remember flipping through collectible postcards with fine art paintings. I loved looking at the characters and imagining their stories. I started appreciating comics early on as well, especially Mickey Mouse magazines. The world created by those comics was mesmerizing, and I often reread them. The visual language of those comics, with their expressive faces and postures, could convey so much without the need for words. I think these childhood influences have shaped how I choose to tell stories in my illustrations today.
The playful characters and retro aesthetic allow me to create a sense of nostalgia and fun. The combination of these elements creates a visual language that is both accessible and engaging, inviting viewers to connect with my illustrations on an emotional level.
Q: What was your journey like transitioning from studying Visual Communication to becoming a freelance illustrator? What did you take away from your time in an Art University?
A: The transition from studying Visual Communication to becoming a freelance illustrator was challenging. It took me a few years to navigate the business side of freelancing and build my confidence. The Visual Communication course I took was focused mainly on graphic design, but my tutors recognized my strength in illustration and encouraged me to pursue it further. The course taught me the principles of creative thinking, how to research information, and how to communicate those findings visually. These skills have been incredibly helpful , since they can be applied across many different creative fields.