GUNA MIKELSONE
Sand Artist | Book illustrator | Happy Person
My passion has always been art. I begun my artist's creer at the age of two when I won a big pink bear at a drawing contest. (I still have it at home). Ever since then my hobbies, education and job have all been related to art and creativity. So I can easily agree with Confucius: "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life!"
EDUCATION
Primary School
O.Kalpaks Riga Folk Art Primary School | 1997 - 2006
Diploma project | "Four seasons" pearl embroidered cusions
High School / College
Riga School of Design and Art | 2006 - 2010
Diploma project | "Data rain protective coats" fassion/design atributes
Academy
The Art Academy of Latvia | 2010 - 2015
Bachelor Thesis | „Children books written and illustrated by Alberts Kronenbergs in 1930s”
NOTABLE ART TEACHERS
Painting
Ivars Heinrihsons, Latvian neoexpressionism painter
Imants Vecozols, Latvian Still life painter
Graphics
Valdis Villerušs, Latvian Graphic artist
ACQUIRED ART SKILLS
Pencil Drawing | Ink Drawing | Illustration
Oil Painting | Acrylic painting | Watercolor painting
Photo Editing | Video Editing | Graphic Design
SAND ANIMATION TECHNIQUE
Sand Art Composition | Sand Animation Storyline creation | Live Sand Animation Performances
Sand animation is a unique type of art that not many artists practice yet, so learning it is a challenge. The skill for sand artists is acquired by learning from each other through the internet, using videos and descriptions. Also practicing and discovering techniques of your own is irreplacable part of learning. I have had the privilage of practicing Sand animation profesionally for almost 7 years now, which has allowed me to master the technique. But there is always more to learn and discover!
WORK EXPERIENCE
Since 2012 I have worked as a profesional sand artist cooperating in projects with creative staff of LTD Deserto (latvian Smilšu kino www.smilsukino.lv) and other professionals from culture and entertainment industry. Through these years I have performed more than 300 personalized shows for corporate events, private parties, weddings, charity events and conerts. I've had the pleasure to not only perform in my land - Latvia - but have also brought sand shows to USA and several European countries.
PUBLISHED ILLUSTRATIONS
Paralel to my sand artist career I am a children's book illustrator. Smaller or bigger projects - illustration is always like creating a new world!
o Illustrations for a book "Girl With Butterflies in Her Soul" (Meitene ar Taureņiem Dvēselē) by Anita Kampe, 2023
o Illustrations for a Children's book "Richie Rhu and Friends" (Ričijs Rū un draugi) by Kristīne Spure and Līga Rozentāle, 2022
o Illustrations for a Children's book "Richie Rhu in a Concert" (Ričijs Rū rīko koncertu) by Veronika Reinika and Lauris Reiniks, 2021
o Illustrations for a Children's book "Stories for Open Ears" (Stāsti dzirdīgām ausīm) by Daiga Kaže, 2021
o Illustrations for a Children's book "Stories for Open Hearts" (Stāsti atvērtām sirdīm) by Daiga Kaže, 2020
o Illustrations for a Children's book "Nine Evenings in Nice Conversations"(Deviņi vakari jaukās sarunās) by Daiga Kaže, 2018
o Monthly illustration for children's story section in Latvian catholic magazine "Catholic Messenger"(Katoļu Vēstnesis) 2017.05. –
o Illustrations for a Children's book "My Dear Latvia"(Mana mīļā Latvija) by Dace Priede, 2016
oIllustrations for a Children's book "We Have the Same Blood - You and Me"(Mums vienas asinis – Tev un Man) by Dace Priede, 2014
o Illustrations and coloring task sheets for a Children's book "Coloring Task Book"(Krāsojamā
uzdevumu grāmata), 2014
o Illustrations for a Children's book "Hedgehog and Squirel at a Sunday School"(Ezītis un vāverēns svētdienas skolā) by Vita Rudzīte, 2014
o Illustrations for AGAPE Latvia game cards "Perspective cards"(Perspektīvas kartiņas), 2012