Illustrator artist Perla Schippers, with simplicity and neat lines captures onlooker and explore day by day themes, drawing and then inking them, presenting for her followers balanced images and appearances. With cats, faces, houses, flowers, birds, more cats and landscapes, the artist generate balanced abstract drawings and some questions from the interview will explain her artistic path.
1.Who is the artist behind @LiefsPerla?
Perla Schippers is a 39-year old artist from The Netherlands. I have always been drawing. As a young child I used to run home after school, so I could start drawing. I got my drawing pad out even before I took off my shoes. This passion stayed with me all the way to high school, where I received the highest marks of everyone for art class. At one point I actually considered going to art school, but I figured having job security was more important than following your dreams, so I became a teacher. Drawing never left my life, however, and in 2018 I posted a simple zendoodle pattern on my Instagram account @LiefsPerla. The ball started rolling when I used hashtags and invested in my account. It has been so much fun drawing all kinds of different abstract styles and posting them online. In a couple of years I gained almost 80.000 followers. The community is so kind and warm on Instagram, it feels like home, being amongst other inspiring artists.
Illustration by Perla Schippers // @liefsperla
2. How do you find your inspiration for your themes?
To get inspiration for a new piece I usually scroll around Instagram or Pinterest and when the idea is formed, I start drawing with a pencil. I create the basic structure of the drawing and when I’m satisfied, I begin inking it in. My hand is pretty steady, so I can create neat lines, which I love. I’m a fan of balance in art. Themes I tend to explore most are houses, portraits, florals, zentangle patterns and fauna, mainly cats. All of my drawings are abstact. I couldn’t draw a realistic fruitbowl to save my life! I do like to mix it up, so no drawing ever looks like the one before it. If the last drawing I posted was a couple of cats, the next one will be something completely different, like houses or a floral pattern. This way I try to keep my account interesting and diverse for my followers. There is always something new and balance is key. In all aspects of life, by the way.
3. Do you have a mentor or a model of any kind?
I can’t speak for other artists, but I have never really had a teacher or mentor of any kind. I’m self-tought, but I do have great support in my life in the shape of a good friend. It’s nice to be able to discuss ideas and get feedback on artworks. Of course I enjoyed studying art in high-school, even though I only really liked the practical side. Looking at abstract art in a museum, for instance, is not something I enjoy often. I find a lot of pieces lacking balance. I have no respect for two huge blue canvasses, for example. There is no talent needed to create that kind of ‘art’ and I don’t enjoy looking at it. On Instagram there are a lot of artist whom I follow who are very talented and inspiring. Seeing their pieces and sometimes short videos in which they create said pieces makes me smile and gives me new insights, so I learn from other artists.
Illustration by Perla Schippers // @liefsperla
4. What does the ideal client/buyer/fan look like for your illustrations/artwork?
I think the diversity and balance in my pieces are what draw the followers in. I try to maintain a steady flow of new posts and, as said, the variety in my work keeps it interesting to follow my account. I enjoy interacting as well and complimenting other artists on their work. Between January 2019 and early 2022 I managed to post something new every single day. When my daughter was a couple of months old, I brought that back to posting something every two or three days. This way I can manage my job as a Technical Writer & Translator, home life, being a mom, keeping in contact with friends and family, while still spending time on my drawing. Like I said; balance is key.
Illustration by Perla Schippers // @liefsperla
5. How do you make the transition from hobby to business in the creative environment?
In my case there is a fine line between hobby and business. While I do sell a piece pretty often, it’s not my main source of income at all. I love knowing that something I created is gracing the walls or shelve of someone in a completely different country. Sometimes it feels a bit like a legacy. Even after my earthly life has ended, my drawings will still exist. I’m very flattered that people want to look at my art on a daily basis!
Illustration by Perla Schippers // @liefsperla
6. What movies, songs, podcasts inspire you?
Although my drawings are mainly in black and white, sometimes with just one contrast colour, the colourful Disney movie Encanto was inspiring to me. There are a lot of great florals in it and the cosy house is lovely to explore in an artistic way. Sometimes I wish I could draw more realistic things or use colour without my drawing suddenly feeling mediocre to me. But then I scroll on my account and I see that I have this balanced style which works for me. I like to be in control and using my markers and fineliners gives me that control. There is no line unintentional in my work, although I do manage to surprise myself with what ‘comes out’ at times. That is an aspect of being an artist which makes it so much fun! It’s great when a drawing becomes exactly what you intended, but it’s amazing when it becomes something totally different and it works!
Illustration by Perla Schippers // @liefsperla
Perla Schippers is on instagram page @LiefsPerla
The illustrations are send by LiefsPerla from her archieve.
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