Here at Slowdown Studio we love collaborating with emerging and established artists from across the globe. We recently had the opportunity to chat with Yamila Yjilioff, the artist behind the new Secret Garden Art Print. Yamila's work is drawn to quiet, contemplative spaces such as warm environments shaped by texture, nature, and the kind of stillness that's hard to find in a busy city.
Who do you think is the most exciting emerging creative in your city?
One of the creative projects I’m most excited about right now is the ceramics by CULTO STUDIO, created by Fatima Guercio. I love her aesthetic and how the products are presented!
Where are your favourite places to go in your city?
In my city I really enjoy walking around my neighborhood, going to the river to have some mate while watching the sunset, and I also love the Argentine Atlantic Coast
What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself when you were starting out in art?
The advice I would give to a younger version of myself is to make space for mistakes, because that’s where magical things happen. Don’t lose your spontaneity! Through mistakes, you begin to understand yourself, and they are necessary for growth. It’s also completely liberating to embrace mistakes as part of the artistic process.
What are you listening to in your studio at the moment?
In my studio I’ve been listening a lot to Tamaryn, Cocteau Twins, and Slowdive. Listening to these bands feels almost like floating; it transports me and connects me deeply with my creativity.
Secret Garden Art Print by Yamalia Yjilioff
What inspired your design for this latest print design?
This piece is very special to me, as it was created at a time when I felt very blocked and creatively frustrated, maybe due to too much visual overload and spending too much time working digitally. I needed a break from that. So I decided to sit down without distractions, just with music, paper, and acrylics. That afternoon, I listened to the album Milk and Kisses by Cocteau Twins for the first time, and I feel like it awakened something in me. It felt like a moment suspended in time. I painted for the duration of the album, and when I finished, I felt completely inspired again. Now I try to reconnect with that feeling every time I draw or paint.
What's your favorite way to slow down?
My favorite way to slow down is going for a walk, wandering through beautiful streets, and ending with a coffee. I also really enjoy sitting down to read with my cat, Pipa.
What's the most memorable book you've read in the last few years?
Lately I’ve been catching up with Argentine author Samanta Schweblin. The first book I read by her was Mouthful of Birds, and I loved her writing style: intimate, yet unsettling and disturbing. I both enjoy and feel frustrated by the way she leaves things “outside the frame”; it keeps me making guesses. It’s addictive.
What has been the happiest/most rewarding moment of your art career?
The most rewarding moment of my artistic career was probably when I created my Domestika course. I didn’t feel prepared at all. Impostor syndrome and the fear of exposing myself in that way were stronger than ever, and at one point I even thought about saying no...but I did it anyway, and achieving that was huge for me.
How does living in your city influence your work? Is there anything about your city that has defined how or what you create?
The city I live in, Buenos Aires, is full of creative energy. It’s a very vibrant place, and at times quite noisy. The area where I live has a nice balance between buildings, trees, and green spaces. I like to notice and enjoy the moments of calm and silence that exist within all the city’s noise, and that’s usually what I try to capture in my drawings. But what inspires me the most is that my illustrator friends live here. We’ve gotten to know each
other over the years, and we support and motivate one another. When we get together, we draw, share books, organize activities and trips, and talk about our doubts and insecurities. They’re all awesome people. Having a group of friends with whom I share this passion is incredibly inspiring and energizing.
What are you most excited/looking forward to this year?
What excites me most is the launch of this print collection. I’m so happy to be part of it! It’s incredibly motivating, and the selection is both beautiful and diverse. I think it’s going to look amazing. Thank you so much!
Instagram: @yjilioff
Website: https://yjilioff.mitiendanube.com
