Olga Szczechowska is a painter and illustrator who creates minimalistic collages. She also does graphic design sporadically. However, minimalism remains her trademark. We met to find out what their daily work looks like.
Olga Szczechowska, photo Radek Zawadzki
Your morning routine
After waking up I turn on the radio – it helps me to get up. Breakfast with coffee is really important to me – I can’t start the day without it.
The first thing you do when you come to your studio
One of my studios is the apartment I live in. I call it the clean atelier, I make my collages and computer projects here. The dirty studio is a painter’s studio where I paint.
Instagram, Fb or no social media?
Instagram!
Magazines/books you read
I read a couple of books all at once, which I don’t like doing. But I can’t seem to break the habit. Recently, I’ve become really interested in the history of Polish illustration and design; so I’m currently reading “Ilustratorki, Ilustratorzy”, published by Marginesy and “Ballada o dziewczynie “(eng. Ballad about a girl), published by Karakter. I also have Krzysztof Komeda’s biography on my nightstand.
Three objects which are essential at your work
Scissors, paper, computer.
What are your favourite tools to help you to get the job done?
Scissors, paper, computer, coffee. 🙂
What inspires you and motivates you to get your work done?
Everything inspires me: my surroundings, architecture, nature, everyday objects, Instagram photos of others, and lately, design. I’m motivated by successes and customer and audience satisfaction.
One funny story from your work
I can’t recall any, maybe I’m just super serious at work. 🙂
The project you are working on right now
Right now, I’m working on an illustration for a culinary magazine. I’m also constantly working on improving my portfolio – my boyfriend laughs at me saying that I have a million of them.
Olga Szczechowska
What do you love about your job? What sucks?
In my work I value the freedom, the fact that I don’t have to wake up at 8am and work 8 hours every day. But it’s all give and take, unfortunately. The uncertainty, lack of financial continuity, and the questions whether what I’m doing has purpose are the worst.
Hand-made or mass-production?
Hand-made, of course.
Do you work individually or with a team?
I work alone, definitely; but very often I hassle my boyfriend with questions like: what do you think about this? what should I fix?
How do you rest and relax after work?
I like taking short trips, even single-day trips, somewhere not far. Meeting with friends is always a treat. And tv series, unfortunately. But if I’m sick of everything I visit my parents, and there, watch TV and look at the garden. 🙂
Do you have advice for anybody who wants to work in your field?
Three things are very important in my opinion: patience, self-betterment, and a little humility.
