It is with great pleasure that I introduce you to the graceful, gentle illustrative work of Sandra Dieckmann. We are so lucky here at Cohabitaire to have caught up with Sandra who kindly shared a bit about herself, her love of animals, nature and her beautiful art… hope you enjoy, and please – feel free to say hi to Sandra while you’re here!

My story is 28 years young and started in a rural setting in the north of Germany. There I walked across the rainbow, lived in the tops of evergreen trees and flew with the birds. I slept under a blanket of twinkling stars and swam in deep black lakes at night (or something like that).

Suddenly and much too soon I was older, mom had died, home wasn’t home and the world was waiting. I took a suitcase, then a plane and in 2002 touched down in London. I worked here and there and decided after a couple of years to wake up from my slumber. A pre-foundation, a foundation, half a BA(Hons) in Fashion Design, a BA(Hons) Graphic Design and finally some Illustration I graduated in 2009 after six years first class honours from my degree.

Those are all statistics and I don’t like statistics very much.

Fact is I’m still here and I never intended to stay. I’m glad I did though.

The circumstances of my life have put me in a place that I love and that I call home. Here and now I work as a part time manager for the RSPCA and the rest of the month draw and draw and draw. It’s a real nice balance. I love being out in the community and raising awareness for animal rights and when that week is exhausted I enjoy returning to my new home studio to work on commissions and self initiated projects. Call me a freelance illustrator if you may. Things have been really wonderful lately, sometimes overwhelming and always busy. If the illustration work increases even more I might have to make the step to go full time but I deal with that then.

Obviously evolution is a fact of life. There is no denying it and I think regarding this particular question the audience would probably be more objective.

To me everything I have done had it’s time and place and was right at that moment. Sometimes every artist will look at past work and think: Oh my, that was poor! or yes, I still think think this works! Creating visuals as a perfectionist is a fight with constant self-criticism.

I always want to express myself in a way that is understood and in a way that lies within my own aesthetics. I tend to work very much in detail. Now more the ever. I love sitting over a piece of work for hours and letting it grow and to me it takes on it’s own life. As a self observation I’m really enjoying working on and with patterns at the moment. Animals have always been my main subject but I have recently started sketching human faces. I’m really open to whatever takes my fancy and grabs my interest.  Who knows where the wind will take me now … it doesn’t just stop blowing ;-)

In what ways does nature inspire or influence your work?

I do, I am, I draw what I love. Living in the big smoke is about the opposite of what I depict in my images.

I have been asked before if the city may act as some sort of catalyst and I think it must do.

Does living in an urban environment help perpetuate my theme of nature and animals?

Yes, I think the city enhances my longing for space and nature extremely. I dream and crave green and space and quiet moments and the beautiful creatures that live in the world. I’m not someone that is in love with London. I love what I have here and I’m drawn back to it whenever I try and escape.

Can you share with us the most recent/favourite piece and explain a bit about it?

My most recent piece and a favourite of mine is Tukota, the story of the White Bison. It is an illustrated book in progress and a work of love. My mother who passed away was absolutely in infatuated with bison and I’m doing this book for her as well as myself. It’s in memory of a beautiful strong woman and a playful retelling of the legend of the white bison who spoke to the native American Indians.

The narrative is not planned in any way, I’m experimenting with hand lettering, pattern, space and pattern and other things I’d like to explore further. I’m also taking my time with this project. I work on ideas whenever I get the time and while I’m working on commissions enjoy going back to learn more about the legend.

What’s next for Sandra Dieckmann?
At the moment I’m working on a really enjoyable commission for an American company. Then a book illustration in August and I was asked to meet about illustrations for a movie. Otherwise I can’t wait to find the time to work on Tukota and other little projects that are in the pipeline. For me personally … just riding the waves.

Cohabitaire quick five!

1. Morning bird or night owl?
Definitely a night owl! Until dawn brakes I won’t fly back into my nest.

2. Fruit or vegetables?
If I had to choose: Vegetables. I think there is more variety and they are less sweet so you can have them more often.

3. Beaten track or road less travelled?
Road less! Find your own way. Security and repetition no thank you!

4. Tropics or mountains?
Mountains! Always!

5. The most amazing nature I’ve ever seen was….
…the woodland and fjords of Scandinavia

All illustrations © Sandra Dieckmann.com // visit Sandra’s Etsy store

About Ingrid Schroder

A Sydney-side freelance graphic designer, photographer & yoga teacher - I find myself turning to nature for guaranteed revival from the crazy pace of city life - be it digging in my garden, capturing natural beauty through a lens, floating in the ocean, practicing yoga or out exploring this incredible planet we all call home. Follow me on twitter @Cohabitaire