{"id":2584,"date":"2024-11-11T10:12:47","date_gmt":"2024-11-11T10:12:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kittlb-26937.roald-dfw.servebolt.cloud\/community-ilona-repkina\/"},"modified":"2026-02-08T15:54:26","modified_gmt":"2026-02-08T15:54:26","slug":"community-ilona-repkina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kittl.com\/blogs\/community-ilona-repkina\/","title":{"rendered":"Unlocking creative income with Ilona Repkina"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Turning art into creative income is something many designers aspire to \u2014 and Ilona Repkina has done just that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our Kittl community is overflowing with diverse talent, ways of working, and creative perspectives \u2014 and we\u2019re excited to be able to share them with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, get to know Ilona Repkina, a Ukrainian designer and artist who specializes in pattern design. IIona currently works out of her home studio in Kyiv. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She specializes in bespoke design that feels anything but commercial, despite having found success showcasing and selling her work on online marketplaces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We caught up with her to learn more about her journey, how she balances self-initiated projects with designing for demand, and her tips for unlocking income as an artist. More after the jump.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id2584_6b6ba2-92 .kb-table-of-content-wrap{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id2584_6b6ba2-92 .kb-table-of-contents-title-wrap{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id2584_6b6ba2-92 .kb-table-of-contents-title{font-weight:regular;font-style:normal;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id2584_6b6ba2-92 .kb-table-of-content-wrap .kb-table-of-content-list{font-weight:regular;font-style:normal;margin-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;}<\/style>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad2f72ca wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.prismic.io\/kittlblog\/ZzeIK68jQArT07T5_Copyofilona2_2000px.jpg?auto=format,compress\" alt=\"A picture of Ilona Repkina - Kittl\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.prismic.io\/kittlblog\/Zy0IRK8jQArT0i4c_IIonaRepkinapatterndesign.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&amp;w=1800&amp;h=1200\" alt=\"IIona Repkina tropical collection pattern design\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kittl.com\/@ilonitta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Keep up with IIona&#8217;s work on Kittl<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Meet Ilona<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Hi Ilona, introduce yourself to the community!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;m Ilona Repkina, a pattern designer, watercolor and graphic artist. I&#8217;m from Ukraine. I was born in Kyiv and I live in Kyiv, and I work from my home studio. I have two kids and a husband (who\u2019s also a graphic designer).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.prismic.io\/kittlblog\/Zy0Lp68jQArT0i5k_Gold-and-Black-Waves-Lines-Flowers17.jpg?auto=format,compress\" alt=\"Ilona Repikna specializes in pattern, watercolor, and graphic art - and making her art as part of her creative income - Kittl\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-column.kb-section-dir-horizontal > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kt-info-box2584_b36589-73 .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap{max-width:unset;}.kt-info-box2584_b36589-73 .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap{border-top:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-right:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-bottom:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-left:5px solid var(--global-palette7, 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#eeeeee);border-left:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-infobox kt-info-box2584_b36589-73\"><span class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap info-box-link kt-blocks-info-box-media-align-left kt-info-halign-left\"><div class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-media-container\"><div class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-media kt-info-media-animate-none\"><div class=\"kadence-info-box-icon-container kt-info-icon-animate-none\"><div class=\"kadence-info-box-icon-inner-container\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-kb-custom-9633 kt-info-svg-icon\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 20 21\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><g clip-path=\"url(#clip0_1680_2910)\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M5.82963 2.61528C6.9361 1.50881 8.43679 0.887207 10.0016 0.887207C11.5663 0.887207 13.067 1.50881 14.1735 2.61528C15.28 3.72174 15.9016 5.22243 15.9016 6.78721C15.9016 8.08514 15.4056 9.4153 14.3725 10.3557C13.776 10.9548 13.5002 11.383 13.3841 11.9637C13.2866 12.4511 12.8125 12.7672 12.3251 12.6697C11.8377 12.5722 11.5216 12.0981 11.619 11.6107C11.8352 10.5297 12.389 9.79364 13.1152 9.06748C13.1263 9.05632 13.1378 9.04546 13.1495 9.03491C13.7702 8.47627 14.1016 7.64805 14.1016 6.78721C14.1016 5.69982 13.6696 4.65697 12.9007 3.88807C12.1318 3.11917 11.089 2.68721 10.0016 2.68721C8.91418 2.68721 7.87132 3.11917 7.10242 3.88807C6.33353 4.65697 5.90156 5.69982 5.90156 6.78721C5.90156 7.44437 6.013 8.19252 6.88796 9.06748C7.5219 9.70142 8.16637 10.5221 8.38409 11.6107C8.48157 12.0981 8.16547 12.5722 7.67807 12.6697C7.19066 12.7672 6.71652 12.4511 6.61904 11.9637C6.50342 11.3856 6.14789 10.873 5.61517 10.3403C4.32346 9.04856 4.10156 7.79671 4.10156 6.78721C4.10156 5.22243 4.72317 3.72174 5.82963 2.61528ZM6.60156 15.1205C6.60156 14.6235 7.00451 14.2205 7.50156 14.2205H12.5016C12.9986 14.2205 13.4016 14.6235 13.4016 15.1205C13.4016 15.6176 12.9986 16.0205 12.5016 16.0205H7.50156C7.00451 16.0205 6.60156 15.6176 6.60156 15.1205ZM7.4349 18.4539C7.4349 17.9568 7.83784 17.5539 8.3349 17.5539H11.6682C12.1653 17.5539 12.5682 17.9568 12.5682 18.4539C12.5682 18.9509 12.1653 19.3539 11.6682 19.3539H8.3349C7.83784 19.3539 7.4349 18.9509 7.4349 18.4539Z\"\/><\/g><defs ><clipPath id=\"clip0_1680_2910\"><rect width=\"20\" height=\"20\" transform=\"translate(0 0.120605)\"\/><\/clipPath><\/defs><\/svg><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"kt-infobox-textcontent\"><span class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-title\">Art style<\/span><p class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-text\">Ilona specializes in patterns, watercolors, and graphic design.<\/p><\/div><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How would you describe your illustration style?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Bright, festive, maybe floral and ornamental. I create celebration milestones, so designs to brighten up everyday people&#8217;s lives and make the world more positive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I can create in different styles, but my main ones are black-and-white line art graphics and floral watercolors. I don&#8217;t like when someone tells you that you have to have only one main style. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I believe that every person has the ability to create in a variety of styles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What&#8217;s your favorite theme or subject to illustrate? How does Kittl fit into your workflo<\/strong>w?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As a commercial designer, I choose themes based on demand, trends, or hot keywords that people are typing in search. Personally, I love illustrating the dynamic lines of nature. Lines inspire me a lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I love Kittl&#8217;s AI features, they are truly amazing! I especially adore generative styles. Kittl AI can create very realistic line art graphics.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-column.kb-section-dir-horizontal > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kt-info-box2584_bf001b-fa .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap{max-width:unset;}.kt-info-box2584_bf001b-fa .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap{border-top:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-right:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-bottom:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-left:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-top-left-radius:30px;border-top-right-radius:30px;border-bottom-right-radius:30px;border-bottom-left-radius:30px;background:#e0f2ff;padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);}.kt-info-box2584_bf001b-fa .kadence-info-box-icon-container .kt-info-svg-icon, .kt-info-box2584_bf001b-fa .kt-info-svg-icon-flip, .kt-info-box2584_bf001b-fa 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1024px){.kt-info-box2584_bf001b-fa .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap{border-top:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-right:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-bottom:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-left:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kt-info-box2584_bf001b-fa .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap{border-top:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-right:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-bottom:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-left:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-infobox kt-info-box2584_bf001b-fa\"><span class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap info-box-link kt-blocks-info-box-media-align-left kt-info-halign-left\"><div class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-media-container\"><div class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-media kt-info-media-animate-none\"><div class=\"kadence-info-box-icon-container kt-info-icon-animate-none\"><div 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class=\"kt-infobox-textcontent\"><span class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-title\">Heads up!<\/span><p class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-text\"><em>Ilona&#8217;s Premium design templates are available now<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id2584_08b0d8-35 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id2584_08b0d8-35 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id2584_08b0d8-35 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, calc(15% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem) * 2 )\/3)))minmax(0, calc(70% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem) * 2 )\/3)))minmax(0, calc(15% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem) * 2 )\/3)));}.kb-row-layout-id2584_08b0d8-35 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id2584_08b0d8-35 > .kt-row-column-wrap > div:not(.added-for-specificity){grid-column:initial;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id2584_08b0d8-35 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr) minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id2584_08b0d8-35 > .kt-row-column-wrap > div:not(.added-for-specificity){grid-column:initial;}.kb-row-layout-id2584_08b0d8-35 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id2584_08b0d8-35 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-3-columns kt-row-layout-center-half kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column2584_d0cd2f-e3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:8px;padding-right:8px;padding-bottom:8px;padding-left:8px;}.kadence-column2584_d0cd2f-e3 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column2584_d0cd2f-e3 > 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.kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:8px;padding-right:8px;padding-bottom:8px;padding-left:8px;}.kadence-column2584_f8064b-13 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column2584_f8064b-13 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:16px;border-top-right-radius:16px;border-bottom-right-radius:16px;border-bottom-left-radius:16px;}.kadence-column2584_f8064b-13 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column2584_f8064b-13 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column2584_f8064b-13 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column2584_f8064b-13 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column2584_f8064b-13{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column2584_f8064b-13 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column2584_f8064b-13 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column2584_f8064b-13 kittl-template-block\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-row-layout-id2584_665224-4f > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id2584_665224-4f > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id2584_665224-4f > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id2584_665224-4f > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id2584_665224-4f > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id2584_665224-4f > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id2584_665224-4f alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column2584_a1032c-b4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:8px;padding-right:8px;padding-bottom:8px;padding-left:8px;}.kadence-column2584_a1032c-b4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{border-top:1px solid #e0e4eb;border-right:1px solid #e0e4eb;border-bottom:1px solid #e0e4eb;border-left:1px solid #e0e4eb;}.kadence-column2584_a1032c-b4 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column2584_a1032c-b4 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:16px;border-top-right-radius:16px;border-bottom-right-radius:16px;border-bottom-left-radius:16px;}.kadence-column2584_a1032c-b4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column2584_a1032c-b4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column2584_a1032c-b4 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column2584_a1032c-b4 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column2584_a1032c-b4{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column2584_a1032c-b4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{border-top:1px solid #e0e4eb;border-right:1px solid #e0e4eb;border-bottom:1px solid #e0e4eb;border-left:1px solid #e0e4eb;flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column2584_a1032c-b4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{border-top:1px solid #e0e4eb;border-right:1px solid #e0e4eb;border-bottom:1px solid #e0e4eb;border-left:1px solid #e0e4eb;flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column2584_a1032c-b4 kittl-template-block\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kittl.com\/design\/Modern-Art-Deco-Handmade-Soap-2fXaMjo9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.prismic.io\/kittlblog\/ZzeIia8jQArT07T8_1731481989764.jpeg?auto=format,compress\" alt=\"\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Modern Art Deco Handmade Soap. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kittl.com\/design\/Modern-Art-Deco-Handmade-Soap-2fXaMjo9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#0087e6\" class=\"has-inline-color\">Use Template<\/mark><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column2584_0e6335-52 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:8px;padding-right:8px;padding-bottom:8px;padding-left:8px;}.kadence-column2584_0e6335-52 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column2584_0e6335-52 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:16px;border-top-right-radius:16px;border-bottom-right-radius:16px;border-bottom-left-radius:16px;}.kadence-column2584_0e6335-52 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column2584_0e6335-52 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column2584_0e6335-52 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column2584_0e6335-52 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column2584_0e6335-52{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column2584_0e6335-52 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column2584_0e6335-52 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column2584_0e6335-52 kittl-template-block\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>You mentioned you&#8217;ve<\/strong> been in the creative industry for 10 years, which is huge. But you don&#8217;t<strong> actually consider yourself a freelancer. Say m<\/strong>ore?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, you&#8217;re right. I don&#8217;t like to freelance, that&#8217;s why I work only with microstock platforms and marketplaces where you don&#8217;t have contact with customers directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How did you build your business?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I create three main types of digital assets: elements, designs, and patterns. And I have five main places I sell them. The \u201csecret\u201d is combining these assets to sell on as many platforms as I can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example: I sell individual elements on microstock, but I also create designs with these elements and sell them on marketplaces. I can also combine elements into a seamless pattern, and sell those patterns on Spoonflower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some designs work best for POD (Print on Demand), where I sell my designs on goods: t-shirts, posters, calendars, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How To Diversify Income As A Graphic Designer (Where To Sell)\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/VQf4M1Woh9A?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Let&#8217;s<\/strong> say you&#8217;re working on a project and you feel creatively blocked. What&#8217;s<strong> your go-to routine for getting back into your creative <\/strong>flow?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You will laugh: I clean up my computer. When I open folders with previous designs, I always find something interesting, either some theme that I want to continue, or files that are not uploaded to all platforms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s an endless process of creating, uploading, designing and redesigning. Cleaning work device and uninstalling unused apps, can also remove distractions at work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can check quick tips <a href=\"https:\/\/cleanmymac.com\/blog\/uninstall-programs-mac\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">how to uninstall programs on Mac<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If I have no motivation to draw, I go to Pinterest and promote my designs. That&#8217;s also a very important part of my workflow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What inspires you?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>My kids find inspiration for me! They are catching trends faster than me, so I just spend time with them and end up coming across something interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I also have a lot of inspiring, talented people around me, including my close friends. As I mentioned, my husband is also a professional designer. His style is totally different from mine and allows me to see things in new ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.prismic.io\/kittlblog\/Zy0QAq8jQArT0i7A_IIonaRepkina.png?auto=format,compress\" alt=\"Creative income: Ilona Repkina created a vector seamless pattern of a Bohemian Mandalas - Kittl\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Any creatives we should be following?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I know, you want me to say some names. Currently, I follow a lot of fine art artists. Two Ukrainian women: Lilit Sarkisian who paints with acrylic, and Delnara El, a watercolor artist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the design sphere, I adore <a href=\"https:\/\/www.littlepatterns.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Maggie Enterrios<\/a> &#8211; she draws amazing colorful line art patterns on her iPad with Procreate. Her designs are so detailed! You definitely have to see her work!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Thank you, Ilona!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.prismic.io\/kittlblog\/Zy0N-68jQArT0i6g_Unlockingcreativefreedominfographic.png?auto=format,compress\" alt=\"Unlocking creative income infographic with IIona Repkina - Kittl\"\/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Turning art into creative income is something many designers aspire to \u2014 and Ilona Repkina has done just that. Our Kittl community is overflowing with diverse talent, ways of working, and creative perspectives \u2014 and we\u2019re excited to be able to share them with you. Today, get to know Ilona Repkina, a Ukrainian designer and&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":8553,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[621,470,620],"class_list":["post-2584","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips-tricks","tag-editors-picks","tag-news","tag-recommended"],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":1,"label":"Tips &amp; Tricks"}],"post_tag":[{"value":621,"label":"Editor's Picks"},{"value":470,"label":"News"},{"value":620,"label":"Recommended"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/www.kittl.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Ilonarepkinakittl-1024x470.jpeg",1024,470,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Kittl","author_link":"https:\/\/www.kittl.com\/blogs\/author\/kittl\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":1,"name":"Tips &amp; Tricks","slug":"tips-tricks","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":1,"taxonomy":"category","description":"Unlock quick wins and clever design solutions with Kittl, packed with bite-sized tips, practical shortcuts, and creative hacks to level up your design workflow. 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