QatART handmade community March 2015

DOMINIKA BOZICLes Chérubins les-cherubins.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/LesCherubinsArt Instagram @lescherubins www.lescherubins.littlemajlis.com

Dominika is a co-founder of QatART and a member of the board team. She is also an artist, an illustrator and a designer. We wanted to find out how she is managing creating lovely products for her own brand and still having time to lead the community. Here is the interview with Dominika that took place at our market at Katara on 6th March 2015.What is your background and when and why did you decide to start your own small business?  I graduated with a degree in fashion and textile design but I have never worked in that field. I worked as a window decorator, interior decorator; my last job was in marketing and advertising. I started painting while I was still at university but it became my daily occupation after my husband and I moved to Qatar in 2011. I have always dreamed of becoming a freelance artist. After we moved, I had time to pursue my artwork and started my little brand “Les Chérubins” (French word for cherubs - little angels).

QatART handmade community March 2015

The feedback regarding my work at my first bazaar in Doha in November 2011 was great, so I continued participating in other markets, fairs and bazaars around Doha. I shared a vision with Gabi Pezo, a fellow artist in Doha, to establish a handmade community in Qatar and showcase our talents at our own markets. That’s how QatART came into being.

What sort of products do you market? Mainly paintings and illustrations – both original and re-prints – as well as cards, bookmarks and gift tags. I also paint on pillows and clothes and make hand painted soft toys as well as brooches.

How does your work differ from others of its genre? All my work is made with a lot of attention to details. I like working on smaller surfaces, which allows detailed design while still finishing items rather quickly. With my level of detail, large pieces would take a lot of time. Also, I always try to put something unexpected and extraordinary into my work, like an unusual subject or a color.

How do you stay inspired? Inspiration is everywhere surrounding us. I always look for something cute, colorful or extraordinary and imagine how I can incorporate this into my paintings. I also follow many artists and bloggers on social media, especially those ones, who focus on items for children.

Where do you buy your art or craft supplies? Most of my supplies are from Doha, some I buy when I am traveling back home (in Croatia) or elsewhere.

How does your creating process work? First, I make a rough sketch and then start imagining it in my head by adding colors. Once I have formed a clearer picture, I start painting and add more details if needed.

What's the best thing about setting up your own brand? The freedom. I can work for 24 hours without getting bored or tired. I really love and enjoy the process of designing and creating.

Who are your customers and where do you sell your work? Most of my customers are expats but I have few local customers as well who appreciate and buy my work. I sell my artwork through Facebook or my personal blog as well as at markets and bazaars in Doha. Recently, I opened an online shop on Little Majlis – an Internet marketplace focusing on this region (www.lescherubins.littlemajlis.com).

Why do you like being a crafter and a designer in 10 words or less? I love creating cute things.

Name something you do in your spare time. I enjoy going for a walk, spending time on the beach and meeting friends for lunch. I also go for motorbike rides with my husband. Riding is like a meditation for me. During the ride, I have time to think and get lots of new, fresh ideas.

Any exciting news to share? Yes, I am participating in a group exhibition opening on 7th March at Qatar Foundation, Recreation Center. The exhibition is open to the public and runs until 26th March. Come and visit!

What recent  project have you enjoyed doing? I love making hand painted toys and creating different characters.

How do you organize your time to be able to crete as well as run the QatART community? I am not very well organized and sometimes I catch myself spending too much time on the computer. I am trying to make plans for a week in advance with to-do lists, but sometimes it is difficult to stick to the plan. Regarding the community, we have a board team helping with different things. We also meet twice a month to discuss matters that concern our community.

Do you have any plans for future for QatART? Yes, my wish is to have a proper website and eventually an online shop with works from our members. Also increasing our membership base; we are currently 68 people. Furthermore, it would be great to have one big market at least once a year in an indoor, air-conditioned setting. At the moment we are limited to cooler months as our markets take place outdoors. Tell us 5 words to describe yourself. Creative, straight forward, open-minded, proactive, detailed.

What are your 5 favorite findings at our market today? 1. Illustration by Something True 2. Necklace by Catalina Francia 3. Basket by Per Tu 4. Pillow by Touche textile 5. Granola by The Vegetarian Treehouse

QatART handmade community March 2015