For our latest contributor interview, we spoke with illustrator Marharyta Myronenko, whose work blends travel, memory, and the poetry of everyday life to transform fleeting moments into timeless art.
Do you have a favorite project or image in your collection? What’s the story?
Absolutely. My favorite illustration depicts a traditional Turkish breakfast, and it holds a special meaning for me. I created it during the time when I first started drawing while traveling, and it reflects a period of my life when I lived in Turkey for several years. I was deeply inspired by the richness of Eastern culture — so different from my own background — and that contrast was both fascinating and eye-opening.
Turkish breakfasts, in particular, felt incredibly vivid and symbolic to me: the colors, the abundance of small dishes, the atmosphere of sharing food together. Capturing those details allowed me not only to illustrate a meal, but also to convey the warmth and generosity of the culture itself.
What inspires you to create new work?
Very often, my inspiration comes from emotions and states of mind. Sometimes it’s nostalgia, sometimes joy, sometimes just a fleeting mood that I want to capture before it disappears. Creating art becomes a way for me to transform feelings into something visual and lasting.
Is your approach to creating visuals for Stocksy different from how you work on personal or client projects?
Yes, it is. For Stocksy, I chose the aesthetics of summer: beautiful details, sunny moments, picnics, a touch of travel, and a slightly vintage feel with elegant objects. The main difference is that these are illustrations I create purely for pleasure, exclusively for Stocksy. Unlike client or personal commissions, where the direction is often defined by external requests or a particular story, with Stocksy, I follow my own taste and inspiration. For now, that’s the main distinction.
Where do you think the industry is heading in terms of visual content? Are there any trends that you are excited about or are you tired of?
The visual content industry is moving towards greater personalization and emotional resonance. People are drawn to visuals that don’t just look beautiful but also feel meaningful and relatable. I’m excited about the trend of bold color palettes, experimental styles, and the blending of different mediums — when illustration interacts with photography, 3D, or animation to create unexpected combinations. It brings a sense of freshness and diversity to visual culture.
What outside of your field influences your creative approach – music, architecture, books, random things you see around you?
I have a deep love for architecture, and I’m always eager to discover something new in both art and architectural forms. But the sources of inspiration go far beyond that. Music, books, conversations, and the rhythm of the city all play their part.
What inspires me the most, however, are the small everyday details. It can be the shape of a shadow on a wall, an unexpected combination of colors in the street, the way someone moves, or a sudden reflection of light. The beauty of inspiration is that it often comes from the most unexpected places. And this unpredictability keeps my creative process alive and constantly evolving.
Are there any particular themes or emotions that you return to in your work?
In my work, I always return to the theme of joy and the brighter side of life. I believe that beauty exists in the simplest things around us — in a ray of sunlight falling across a wall, in the stillness of an early morning in the city, in the play of light and shadow on architecture. I try to pause and notice these moments, and through my work I invite the viewer to do the same: to slow down, to look closer, to rediscover the details we often lose in the rush of everyday life.
Another important theme for me is interiors and vintage objects. I love when a space holds items with history and character, pieces that create a unique atmosphere of warmth and nostalgia. For me, vintage is not about the past — it’s about the value and soul of things. It brings depth and individuality to modern life, connecting the present with something timeless and enduring.
That’s why I enjoy painting sunny interiors, urban streets, and city landscapes. It’s all about our daily surroundings, but seen through the lens of light and joy. My aim is to remind people that beauty is always close, often hidden in the simplest details — we just need to stop for a moment and allow ourselves to see it.
What does an ideal creative day look like for you?
Overall, my perfect creative day is a balance of inspiration, simple pleasures, and genuine human connection. It’s when life itself becomes the source of energy for creativity.
If you could create anything, with no limitations – budget, logistics, time – what would you do?
I would set out on a journey around the entire world. In every city I visited, I would pause, take time to absorb its atmosphere, and try to capture the rhythm of life there — the light, the architecture, the mood of the people, and the small details that make each place unique.
I would create a series of digital illustrations, almost like a personal visual travel diary. Each piece would reflect not only the places themselves, but also my impressions, emotions, and the way I experienced them. For me, it wouldn’t just be a collection of artworks, but a way of weaving together the beauty and diversity of the world through my own perspective. It would be both an outer journey across the globe and an inner journey of discovery.
Have you ever had a dream project come to life? If so, what made it special?
I don’t think I’ve realized my dream project yet — I believe it’s still ahead of me.
Do you dream of seeing your work somewhere specific?
I would love to collaborate with companies that share similar values — those that focus on positivity, the beauty of everyday life, and an appreciation for details. It could be projects connected to travel, interior design, books, or lifestyle. I like the idea that my illustrations could exist not only in galleries or online, but also in objects and projects that people interact with every day — from a book cover to elements of design in urban spaces.
Creativity is a way to stay in love with life.
Discover more of Marharyta Myronenko's work
