Today we’d like to introduce you to Yev Haidamaka.
Hi Yev, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am an illustrator and educator from Ukraine, currently based in Savannah, GA, teaching and practicing Illustration. I grew up in a small town in Central Ukraine, surrounded and inspired by nature and my home, which is what I’m still depicting in my work as an illustrator.
My journey in the US hasn’t been very straightforward, but it most definitely has been an exciting one. As a Fulbright scholar, I first arrived to Savannah in 2015 to get my MFA degree at SCAD. I have worked as a freelancer internationally well before that; however, my time in the US opened up many new opportunities: I’ve worked in Reader’s Digest Magazine, Society of Illustrators NY, gained trust of many new clients in the US and Europe. In 2019 I joined SCAD Hong Kong as a full-time Professor of Illustration and moved to Savannah again in 2020.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have been moving across oceans and continents for quite a while, and nothing about being away from home is easy, but under normal circumstances it surely is exciting and broadens one’s horizons.
As somebody who is very attached to my home in Ukraine and whose family and friends live there, I can definitely say that the last year has been extremely challenging in ways that are hard to describe in a short article. Russian invasion of Ukraine has been a turning point for so many of us: it has been scary, it has been tense, it has been everything you imagine if you think of your home being taken away from you.
However, I am proud to say that this year me and my fellow Ukrainian artists made everything we could to not only go through this with dignity and strength, we also made it our goal to spread awareness, raise money and fight misinformation through our art.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an award-winning illustrator who works in the areas of Publishing (focusing on Children’s Books), Surface Design, and Advertising with clients from all over the world. My children’s bookwork is focused on whimsy of the everyday life, childlike view of the world where every little thing can become a big adventure. In my other commercial work, I make sure to communicate with the client to determine their needs for each project and make sure I can create something visually and conceptually special.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
After arriving in the US for the first time, I quickly realized that networking is part of the culture here. People appreciate when you are open and curious but also know what you want and offer something in return. What has worked for me in networking efforts is (as simple as it sounds) being genuine and making connections with people that may extend beyond projects and business ventures.
Contact Info:
- Website: yevhaidamaka.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yevhaidamaka/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yevhaidamaka/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/yevhaidamaka
