Posted by Nate Williams

New and upcoming three-dimensional illustrator, Kira Shaimanova, is a recent graduate of OCAD University. She discovered her unique sculptural style after taking a month long doll making class. Shaimanova has since continued creating more whimsical characters and eventually added sets and photographed them to make each piece come together. Shaimanova is optimistic about her future prospects and hopes to one day work for a big publication, such as the New York Times or Rolling Stone, as well try creating a stop-motion film with her characters.

More about KIRA SHAIMANOVA at: Profile / Interview

Top 5 Influences/Inspiration:
Tim Burton, Mark Ryden, Red Nose Studio, Liz Lomax and my loving cat Marsha.

Top 5 favorite things in life:
Bangs and braids in my hair, dessert (ie. waffle and ice cream), pets, traveling the world and LOVE (yes I’m a romantic).

Top 5 bands/singers:
Coldplay, Kings of Leon, Human Highway, Pheonix and Chester French

What are your top 3 favorite web sites?
Facebook.com (I’m an addict I’ll admit to it), PerezHilton.com (need my daily dose of gossip) and Behance.net (so many great artists all over the world).

Please describe a typical day?
If I don’t have a piece already started I’ll do some sketches or go to Chapters/ Indigo for inspiration, look through some magazines and catch up with what’s going on in the world today. On a usual day if I’m creating a personal portfolio piece with no deadline,  I’m a slow worker, I want everything precise and perfect.

What is working environment like?
I have a tiny crammed room that used to be just a computer room, but over time I took over and made it my mini studio. I have a computer, printer, some music, reference books, a drafting table and all my creating supplies packed in this room.

What is your process for coming up with new ideas?
I like to be around creative people a lot, it gets me inspired by simply seeing the great projects they’re coming up with. I usually run my sketches by my friends and see if they get the reaction I was looking for, if they do, that’s the sketch I go for. I always want to be in love with my concept before I begin, I have to be really excited about it and visualize it in my mind. I usually get a massive drive to recreate what I see in my head and make it come to life. I also collect a lot of fashion photography photos, new and old, to get inspired by colors and lighting.

Your work is a mix of art + ___________? 
My work is a mix of art + painting, sculpture, assemblage, photography, lighting and craftsmanship.

What is something new you have noticed or learned recently?
I have recently learned a new way creating my characters bodies. I realized that by using wire and stuffing the character with cotton instead of sculpting the entire body, the character is more mobile and flexible. This allows me to move the character’s body to adapt to the set for the perfect shot.

Can you suggest 3 artists or illustrators we should check out?

• Winston Chmielinski  http://www.wi-ch.com/
• Elizabeth MacGrath  http://www.elizabethmcgrath.com/
• Lisa Lichtenfels   http://www.lisalichtenfels.net/

More info about Kira Shaimanova

• location: Toronto, Canada
• website: www.kirashaimanova.com
• facebook fan page:     http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kira-Shaimanova-Sculpture-Illustration/108813239153471?ref=ts
• personal blog: http://kirasillustration.blogspot.com/