Thanks mate, gald to help good people, My name Konstantin Shalev, i live in Russia, Krasnodar city, i was educate in Kuban State Uneversity and end my education one year ago, after tryed to work on design studo Platzkart, but no one there needed my skills, and i was fired by my self from there, now i’m siting home draw illustrations like a fulltime Freelance. Also, I would like to say that I love skateboarding.

Cool! We were impressed by your drawing skills. Tell us more about that, how did you start drawing, did you always like it, what were the steps you followed in order to get where you are now?

When I went to University after school, I have never drawn before, all was new for me, then i got educated in University for 4 years. Ri really wanted to draw illustrations, but those dummy people use Corel Draw, I thought that kills creativity on first steps, and they can’t learn use programs, but i always wanted  to use illustrator, and learn it by myself, trying trying and trying. But one thing i want say thank to my art teachers who helps me go in right direction, I want to thank my teacher for painting Pushkov.

No mate, i never been involved on same projects, i was warned about climate change but in the place where i live i dont know about anyone who was warned about it. People from over there  are talking about it, but i didn’t see  anyone doing something like Gaia does. i dont know how i can help, i can only draw, hope it helps gaia.

I see. Through Gaia, we’re trying to celebrate our planet, not to lament about its state. What do you think about expressing our ideas through art? Do you think that people could be informed through art of a social issue like the climate change is?

I still don’t know how works, but i thought that’s a good idea using art to get peoples informed even if many don’t care about it. I like the idea, and Gaia has  great artists to show people good motivation.

In Russia, only friends help each other. People on the street don’t care about your problems, and if you need help  there’ll rarely be someone who’s going  to help you. I’m not trying to say that all people are bad, they only care about their problems there, or making problems. i believe that not all people here are like i said, maybe i dont know them, but i clearly can say that i haven’t seen peoples who do something good for nature here. Like Gaia does.

I see..Are there any specific cultural aspects that shape your identity? And your work?

You can look at my work and compare with artists from other countries, and feel the difference, i dont even think about how that can influence on my works, i just draw the way i like. and thats all =) but maybe i can include some russian words at my works.

Continue working on myself, develop my style, and sure conquer the galaxy!

What i always wanted is make the world look beautiful!