Artist in conversation: Princess karibo
Princess Karibo is a self-taught illustrator from Nigeria. She enjoys bringing her ideas to life through illustration. Most of her work is representational and focuses on giving black women a voice in the way that she can. Princess has illustrated a number of children’s books aiming to empower young readers and influence the way young girls around the world see themselves.
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What initially inspired you to become an artist, and how did you develop your unique style?
I used to see my sister draw as a kid and her being my big sister and wanting to always do everything she does, it brought up my interest in art. I also grew up in a family that appreciated art, especially my dad. I developed my personal style by looking at other artists I admired and thinking about what kind of art I wanted to put out there.
Do you have any rituals or routines that help you get into a creative mindset when starting a new project?
No I don’t, I just get right to it if I’m Inspired.
Can you share a bit about your journey into the world of illustration and how you developed your skills as a self-taught artist?
I started using different mediums from pencils, drawing portraits and then trying mediums like acrylic, watercolour, gouache and finally digital art. I finally stuck with digital art for awhile and now I’m going back to gouache because I do love the medium.
You work with various mediums like gouache, digital art, and watercolor. How do you decide which medium to use for a particular project, and do you have a favorite?
If I want to do big traditional project, I use gouache. It also depends on what style I want to use for a project and the project itself. When I do children’s illustration, I pick digital art as I have more room for mistakes.
Are there any particular artists or movements that have influenced your work?
I do love the artist loish, she’s a big part of the reason I started illustrating again.
How do you incorporate feedback from critics and audiences into your artistic practice, and how do you balance this feedback with your own artistic intuition?
I go back and look at my work and fix what needs to be fixed. I also have to be able to have discernment when it comes to critics and advice and how it will affect my work and apply it if necessary.
How do you stay motivated and inspired despite any setbacks or creative blocks you may encounter?
Sometimes I look at other artists works, I browse the internet (Instagram and Pinterest) for inspiration, sometimes visit art galleries to draw inspiration from the work I see there.
How do you feel about exhibiting your artworks with The Holy Art Gallery?
This is my first official exhibition, as I have been a bit scared putting myself out there. I am bit nervous and excited at the same time. I am excited that I get to also exhibit alongside other amazing artists.
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations as an artist, and how do you plan to achieve them?
I want to be able to improve my skills and also be able to paint what I want and be happy with the outcome.