Nadzeya Makeyeva

Nadzeya Makeyeva (Nadia) is an objective artist & illustration designer with a focus on hand-drawn graphics from Minsk, Belarus, who lives and works in San Francisco, CA. She's a member of the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles, the Belarusian Union of Designers, and the Content Authenticity Initiative. Also she's the founder at Chrysalis Mag — Belarusian contemporary art magazine.

Nadzeya is inspired to work with design-focused organizations & publishers to create diverse types of illustration in different styles and techniques. She specializes in long-term intricate hand-drawn illustrations with a large number of fine details. The amount of time spent on one piece of the artwork can reach up to 60 hours.

She would love to work on project or long-term basis. She's always open to commissions & collaborations so please feel free to contact her anytime.

Artist Statement
I am an objective artist who delves into the realms of contemporary Pop Surrealism, infusing my graphics and illustration art with its distinct essence.

As a graphic artist, I specialize in manual graphics, book illustration and printamking. Graduated from the Academy of Arts where I was learning for six years, I possess the skill to draw in any technique or style. Initially, I explored different paths, contemplating whether large-format gallery graphics, classic Marvel-style comics, or traditional watercolors suited me best. For my diploma project, I even ventured into manual-drawn huge size lithographic series. My works are characterized by a distinctive style, this kind of art belongs to the Belarusian graphic school what is known for its strong academic drawings and realism.

Upon joining an advertising agency, my interest shifted to digital illustration. Here, I embarked on a journey to develop my own style, combining the freehand drawing with plain pencils on paper with the coloring offered by digital tools. This type of analog approach has brought a peculiar and interesting stylization effect to my drawings over time. Despite the dominance of flat illustrations in the market, I persevered, spending a decade refining my current style. This decision was bold, as it required time and dedication, while clients sought quick results.

When describing my style, I find that my characters exude the qualities of plastic sculptures within a plastic realm. This minimalist effect resonates deeply with me. Interestingly, when attempting to define my style, I am reminded of Robert Sheckley's tale, 'Restricted Area.' It revolves around a planet resembling a colossal wind-up toy, adorned with a giant key on its equator. Inhabited by whimsical, psychedelic creatures emitting endearing sounds, my imagination envisions each creature with a small personal key. This touch of strangeness and cuteness transcends reality and exists only within the realm of childhood fantasies, distinct from the notion of puppets.

In essence, my artistic style is a fusion of manual graphics with refined digital elements. Through a unique approach, I seamlessly blend the tactile quality of pencil on paper with vibrant colors and precise digital illustration. My aim is to create illustrations that evoke a sense of enchantment, wonder, and surrealism. The enchanting world of nature, particularly its magical creatures, serves as a profound source of inspiration for my artwork. Drawing from the realms of mythology, folklore, and science fiction, I breathe life into fantastical beings and captivating portraits. In the process of creating these ethereal characters, I find solace and authenticity, reconnecting with the dreams of my childhood and rediscovering what truly matters.

I specialize in creating intricate & unique illustrations & art. The turnaround time for each of them starts from one week. Every piece of my work is hand-drawn manually. Each of them is initially sketched on paper with simple pencils and subsequently, if the task or concept requires, they are colored and refined using graphic editors. My art is not a result of AI generation. I condemn the unauthorized creation of compilations based on artists' works that violate copyright laws.

Education

2005-2011 — Belarusian National Academy of Arts / Graphic Arts / Minsk, Belarus
2008 — Grafikens Hus / Printmaking / Mariefred, Sweden
2002-2005 — State College of Arts / Decorative Arts / Minsk, Belarus

Selected Clients

Adobe, Forbes, Entertainment Weekly, L’Oréal, Volkswagen, Quanta Magazine, Tatler, Simons Foundation, Big Picture Press, Bonnier Books UK, Casterman, Interscope Records, Pureology, Salle Privée, Wondery, WPP, Havas, Superunion, Hugo & Marie, Generation Why, Goodbye June, Untitled Future, etc.

Activities & Exhibitions