Monika Libelula is a woman we have admired and supported for a long time. An artist whose passion is painting and whose favourite technique is watercolour and drawing. Did you know that Monika is the author of the subtle drawing of her hands that appear on the packaging of our Extreme Retinol and Extreme Hyaluron masks? Aren't they unique?
- Mathematics or philosophy?
The choice is very simple, The former is my Achilles' heel. Philosophy is about people, life, the search for truth, the pursuit of knowledge, pondering and ideas, someone's views and thoughts. Because I am also interested in psychology, I like people, so to some extent philosophy is close to me.
- What is the sense of touch for you - a woman, an artist -?
The sense of touch is for me the most important and authentic of the senses. Through touch, love, longing, desire - life - is born.
- I know that you have been involved professionally in a completely different field. Where did painting come from for you? What was the path to your profession?
I was previously a make-up artist and wedding stylist. My palette was colourful shadows and blushes, I painted women's faces and also did bridal updos. I have been painting since I was a child, my love for drawing and painting is in my genes. One day I decided to exhibit one of my works on social media. I was approached by many ladies who wanted to have my painting at home. After a year, I received an offer to illustrate Andersen's Fairy Tales. And so my adventure and new work began.
- You love fashion and run your fashion/lifestyle Instagram @monamoontoutch - where do you get your inspiration from?
I'm an artistic soul but I'm also quite down to earth, some people say that doesn't go together... Maybe that's also why I love contrasts in life, in interiors and in painting. That's why one day I paint a landscape on canvas, the next a minimalist graphic in black line. I like different styles, I don't stick to one. Every day I have to create something, it gives me incredible joy. A day without taking a picture or illustration is not complete for me. That is why I have a second insta account, where I create fashion styles, show interiors and places that inspire me.
- What inspires you in art? In painting pictures?
In art, I am inspired by everyday life, people, light. I have moments when, for example, while doing my usual thing, I suddenly see a place, an image, an object that I immortalise in a photograph and then on paper or canvas. I am also open to contact with people, I help them to choose images for a given interior, I advise them on colours. This is the reason why new ideas are often born in my head and I do not complain about a lack of inspiration, because life and contact with people is my own inspiration.
- What inspired you to collaborate with handy lab? What shared ideas brought together a talented artist and a brand focused on hand care?
I was inspired to work with handylab by the very idea of a product for the care of my hands, which are not only my business card but also my working tool. I know how important their care is in my work. The common ideas are femininity and softness.
- How is your creative process and how did the design of the handy lab. product packaging come about?
In my work, there are times when, before I reach for a brush or pencil, I take a photograph of a place or object in different light to see the shape and shadows, and this was the case with the handylab hand, which I photographed beforehand and then transferred onto paper.
- What gives you the most joy in creating?
For me, touch is the most authentic form of expressing feelings and through it we can learn a lot about the other person. Touch is hands and hands are touching.
