We had the good fortune of connecting with Svetlana Vasina and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Svetlana, how has your work-life balance changed over time?

When you have a flexible schedule and are self-employed, balancing work and life is often challenging. Usually, my alarm is set for 8:30 am. I start my day with yoga or running (not always, of course!) and aim to get to my home office by 10 am. I always have a cup of coffee and jump on my laptop to go through emails and urgent tasks.
As an artist, my areas of work can vary a lot. Typically, I work on illustrations or canvases. Around 12/1 pm, I start to lose energy and become lethargic. At this time, I head out to grab some food and fresh air. This break can last for an hour or even 4-5 hours, but in this case, I will be working until midnight. In the evening, I have some ‘me’ time to relax, prepare dinner, watching Netflix.
I usually work on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and take weekdays as my days off, which allows me to enjoy less crowded streets and cafes.

And let’s not forget about vacation! If you overwork, you start making mistakes. The results of studies speak for themselves: healthy and happy employees work much more efficiently. Even just a good mood increases creativity!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
During the Covid-19 pandemic, it was a challenging time for everyone. I worked as an illustrator for a company in Moscow. Unfortunately, we experienced a significant decrease in orders. Like many others, I was self-isolated and spent my days at home.

However, I recognized the need for change and decided to start working on freelance platforms. I successfully built a client base, many of whom I continue collaborating with today. Later, my husband and I took the initiative to develop my website, which serves as a portfolio and organically attracts clients.

As an illustrator, I engage in a wide range of projects, including custom illustrations, portraits, and clothing designs. Moreover, I am also a visual artist with a bachelor’s degree in Art. Beyond digital illustrations, I frequently express my creativity on canvas, with several pieces finding homes in private collections worldwide.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The book ‘Introduction to Art Techniques’ by Ray Smith – is the first art book that my mum gave me

Website: http://svetavasina.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/svetavasina/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/svetavasina/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.