{"id":820713,"date":"2025-08-15T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/?p=820713"},"modified":"2025-08-14T11:44:15","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T18:44:15","slug":"carolina-pelaez-kropsiland-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/carolina-pelaez-kropsiland-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"Carolina Pel\u00e1ez on her nature-inspired vector illustrations, art school, and why she prefers freelancing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Wacom released the Wacom Movink OLED pen display in 2024<\/a>. Since then, we've watched as tons of creatives have utilized the professional-grade power of the Movink's OLED display, slim and sleek form factor, simple connectivity, and included Pro Pen 3 to create incredible work at home and on-the-go. We've long been fans of the work of Colombian artist Carolina Pel\u00e1ez<\/a>, known online as Kropsiland<\/a>. Her dynamic, colorful, nature-inspired work covers textile design, branding, design research, and illustration for all kinds of brands.
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\u201cMy work always was inspired by Colombian biodiversity and culture, the direct contact with nature, exotic fruits, flowers and animals,\" she says. \"\u202fI create illustrations full of details and bright colors formed by solid vectors, trying to bring all these handling colors, emotions, textures, and the stunning\u202fnatural beauty details to my work ... [I want] to strengthen environmental awareness and a sense of pride for our natural heritage.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Carolina<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We wanted to see what she'd do with a Wacom Movink in her hands, and she created a few Spanish-language videos for us about how to work smart, how she creates merch, and how she uses references. We also interviewed her (in English!) about her background, process, and what she thought about the Wacom Movink pen display<\/a>. The videos, that interview, and examples of her work are below. Note: the interview below has been lightly edited for length and clarity.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How did you discover your passion for art? Were you a creative kid?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I do believe that my creativity was trained from a young age. My mother was a primary school teacher, and taught me many art techniques, sparking my curiosity to explore different forms of expression. She kept me busy with little creative tasks like DIY \u201cart attacks\u201d and puzzles!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You got a degree in design. What was your experience like? Would you recommend college to young creatives who are thinking about a creative career, or these days can artists be self-taught?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I'm a complete nerd, and I love studying! I do believe that college is a place of expansion and openness to the possibilities that exist in the real world of creativity, far from the ideal of \"living for the love of art.\" In my case, I\u2019ve greatly valued the support, professional seriousness, and knowledge I\u2019ve received from past teachers. I was always aware that I was the one who enjoyed acquiring that knowledge and saw creative potential in that information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, I do believe that we should take charge of our learning and expertise, nurturing our skills and interests in a self-taught way, with discipline. I think that's what makes the difference between a very good artist at what they do; they have surely dedicated a lot of time to studying and practicing their craft. Some knowledge is not acquired in college, but through experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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