During the daily routine of wake up and check social media, scrolling through Instagram introduced this refreshingly creative individual. With a growing 12,000 followers on Instagram, Kot Bonkers inspires timelines all over the world through illustration.
The best things in life are simple. This idea rings true for Kotryna “Kot Bonkers” Michaliovaite, an illlustrator who doesn’t consider what she does as work, but as something she enjoys and does when she feels like it. |
Her motivating and, at times, provocative work is an artistry that she views as a form of therapy. With each illustration, you will find yourself diving into the inner thoughts of Kot. There is no static or fixed theme, but there are evolving, pure and honest ideas.
We got the chance to speak with Kot, the crazy cat lady (presently, she owns 4), about her motivations, her wish for the state of creativity and what goes on behind-the-scenes of her fantastic work. |
"I think humans are limiting themselves and our true potential is limitless."
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How long have you been illustrating? Did you always want to do this?
I’ve been always more or less creative, I don’t know what is considered as an official start of illustrating. Ever since I can remember myself, I was always doing something creative. I always wanted to do what I enjoy, no matter what that thing is.
Where did you grow up? Did it influence your illustrations in anyway? I grew up in several places in Europe. Moved quite a few times due to my mom’s work. I guess every single place has its good and bad sides, and all of them had taught me something. It’s hard for myself to objectively tell whether where I grew up influenced my illustrations… I suppose everything I have experienced and every place I’ve visited, have influenced me in one way or another, even if I do not directly realize it. Did you go to college? Nope. Not planning on it. At least not as long as education is a privilege for the one’s who have money. |
What are your illustrations about? What ideas do you hope to depict?
My illustrations are about what you think they’re about. (smiles) I sit down and draw daily. It’s a visual diary, visual archives of my life, also a therapy. It’s more of a habit than anything by now. Instead of writing or talking about what inspired/disappointed me during a particular day, I draw it instead.
What motivates you to illustrate?
It feels natural to me. Feels good, so I do it.
You seem to include a lot of hip-hop figures such as Missy Elliot, Snoop, Flavor Flav into your illustrations. Why?
Well, I also include a lot of movie reference, and political references, and religious references. Also, I’ve done drawings about Nietzsche, Mona Lisa, Mike Tyson, etc. I just draw anything or anyone that pops to my mind. So I guess, Missy Elliot, Snoop Dogg and others also popped to my mind, same way as Jesus or Donald Trump.
My illustrations are about what you think they’re about. (smiles) I sit down and draw daily. It’s a visual diary, visual archives of my life, also a therapy. It’s more of a habit than anything by now. Instead of writing or talking about what inspired/disappointed me during a particular day, I draw it instead.
What motivates you to illustrate?
It feels natural to me. Feels good, so I do it.
You seem to include a lot of hip-hop figures such as Missy Elliot, Snoop, Flavor Flav into your illustrations. Why?
Well, I also include a lot of movie reference, and political references, and religious references. Also, I’ve done drawings about Nietzsche, Mona Lisa, Mike Tyson, etc. I just draw anything or anyone that pops to my mind. So I guess, Missy Elliot, Snoop Dogg and others also popped to my mind, same way as Jesus or Donald Trump.
Do you have any illustrators that you look up to? Any artists?
So many! I admire anyone who expresses themselves creatively. Artists like Kerry James Marshal, Spencer Tunick, Egon Schiele, Marina Abramovic, Tony Gum, Wales Bonner, Samuel Fosso, Jamel Shabazz, Nick Cave, Yayoi Kusama, Lee Bull. So many. I could go on forever. What are the goals you most want to accomplish in your work? I don’t really see it as work, or something that requires accomplishments. I love doing it, and that’s an accomplishment good enough. I do it when I feel like it, because I enjoy it, and if good positive things come out of it - even better. I’m thankful that me sharing my work has brought amazing & creative people to my life. |
How has social media impacted your work?
Social media is good because it gave me more visibility and access to interesting bright people all over the world. Social media just reflects our society, I think. Say, the censorship on Instagram just mirrors the ridiculous censorship in ‘’real’’ life. What is your perspective on art in the present day? I just love art and to see creative people expressing themselves. Hope that never stops. Do you have any upcoming projects that you want to talk about? I’ve recently started [an] apparel project with Joshua Gibson, who owns a printing studio called Level Press in LA. It’s been fun and demanding so far. We’re working on more new stuff to come. Anything else you’d like to just say? I wish we didn’t consider everything we do as ‘’work’’. That bores me to death. I wish creativity was celebrated more and people stepped out of their boxes and comfort zones more often. Now we all feel like copies of one another. I think humans are limiting themselves and our true potential is limitless. |