Well, I’m sure that you all remember the Worldwide Wednesday blog series from last year, well, it’s back!

This month I have a couple of exciting people to introduce you to and both are from right here in the UK.

This first Worldwide Wednesday feature introduces Yulia Brodskaya.

Yulia is a highly regarded paper artist and illustrator. She uses two simple materials-paper and glue, and a simple technique that involves the placement of carefully cut and bent strips of paper -to make lush, vibrant, three-dimensional paper artworks.

As before I sent Yulia the standard list of questions of this series – here is what she had to say.

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Please can you provide a brief introduction to yourself, where in the world you are and let everyone know what you currently do in the arts/crafts industry.

My name is Yulia Brodskaya (31), I’m currently based in St Albans, Herts and I’m a well-known paper artist and illustrator. I use two simple materials-paper and glue, and a simple technique that involves the placement of carefully cut and bent strips of paper to make lush, vibrant, three-dimensional paper artworks.

Paper always held a special fascination for me. I’ve tried many different methods and techniques of working with it, until I found the way that has turned out to be ‘the one’ for me: now I draw with paper instead of on it.

Soon after discovering my passion and unique style, I was lucky to swiftly earn an international reputation for my innovative paper illustrations and  build an impressive list of clients in just a few short years, from Hermés to Starbucks to Godiva, Target, Sephora, The New York Times Magazine and many others (more than 100 projects over the 5 years).

When did you begin working in the creative industry and what was the seminal or defining moment that put you on that path?

My background is in graphic design, but I always had a tendency to more hand-made styles, especially paper. It took me a while to find my own way to combine my love of paper with my experience/knowledge of graphic design and illustration – surprisingly the whole process took quite long.

I started to use edge-glued paper technique more than 6 years ago – I don’t always call it quilling because I have actually discovered a new way of using the basic technique – as if I’m drawing with paper instead of on it (traditional quilling is constrained by the use of basic shapes so it is a bit different).

Quoting other people, I made it more cool, modern, gave the technique a new life – it became much more popular after my experiments…

Is what you do now what you imagined you would be doing when you first started out?

I was certain that I’d stick to graphic design and all things digital to make a living and all my other crafty activities will be just a hobby

Thinking back through the years, what memorable responses have you had to your work?

I get loads of emails from fans and people who appreciate my art: from students to people who practiced quilling for years and so on. People send me photos of the tattoos that they made based on my designs, many people write that my work has inspired them to try paper art and so on – I can’t reply to all the email unfortunately, but I really appreciate every one of them – they keep me going and creating.

What has been most important to you as an artist or crafter – a mentor, support, knowledge, advice, information, funding, family, friends … etc?

The support of my family.

How have you changed during your career and do you see room for more changes in the coming years?

My style is constantly evolving, I believe it is visible if you compare the earliest samples with the recent ones; right now I’m interested in making even more 3D paper art using the same technique, so I keep on experimenting.

What work do you most enjoying doing?

Self-initiated projects.

Who/What inspires you the most?

Nature (e.g. tropical fish, birds, butterflies, flowers etc)

How would you describe a creative life? Fun, challenging, rewarding … etc?

A combination of all these things!

What wouldn’t you do without?

Paper.

What are you working on at the moment?

Apart from some commercial illustrations I’ve started another personal piece, a part of the old people portraits series that I’ve been working on for the last couple of years.

I’m really excited about this once, can’t wait to see how the final things is going to look like – the only challenge is that it takes very long time to make so I have to be patient and just keep working on it.

What future project(s) are you most looking forward to?

The ones when I get a lot of creative freedom and get a lot of exposure at the same time.

What are you doing when you’re not creating? What hobbies (creative or non-creative) do you have?

No other hobbies for me, I just spend time with my two little kids.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I love crazy roller coaster rides.

Do you have any tips or inspiring words for others?

Just keep going and always stay true to yourself.

Where else can we find you? (Blog, website, twitter, facebook etc)

• http://www.artyulia.com
• http://www.facebook.com/paperdesignart

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So there we have yet another super talented artist working on some amazing projects. What did you think? I personally love Yulia’s style and ability to express an image through such a large range of colour.

Thanks for stopping by for this little adventure and I hope that you’ll join me for the next Worldwide Wednesday feature.

Best wishes,

J :)