Marta Koshulinska
Sit down with Ukrainian illustrator Marta Koshulinska as we discuss what the Lower Your Sights project means to her, her contribution to the anthology, and her thoughts on the unifying power of art.
Q: What does this project mean to you?
Marta: It is very important for me not to stop talking about what is happening in my country. To show the truth to people from other countries, to acquaint them with events that have no place in the free democratic civilized world.
Q: What is your contribution to Lower Your Sights? (Short Story, Pinup, Etc.)
Marta: Illustration 1: Railway Station
Realities of railway stations in Ukraine now. Women and children are forced to leave their homes because of the danger of bombing or complete loss of everything. They say goodbye to their husbands, dads, and brothers. And they don’t know when they will be able to see each other again.
Illustration 2: My Home
This is my land. This is my home. This is my Ukraine
Illustration 3: Save Children
Hundreds of Ukrainian children witness horrific events every day. Instead of lullabies, they hear the sound of sirens, instead of the usual game of hide and seek, they are now hiding in bomb shelters.
Q: In addition to supplying food and essential supplies, Voices of Children also provides art therapy to help kids cope and overcome the stress, anxiety, and trauma of living in war conditions. Do you believe art has the power to heal?
Marta: Of course, I believe that art has a very powerful force. The process itself is quite meditative and soothing, allowing you to distract from anxious thoughts and be in the moment here and now. With the help of art, you can gently work with trauma, bringing it from the subconscious to the conscious level. And this is one of the steps to work it out and overcome it.
About Marta Koshulinska
Marta Koshulinska is a Ukraine-based Illustrator, artist, and designer. Specializing mainly in children’s book illustrations, Marta conveys love through the illustrations.
Marta graduated from Lviv Art College by Ivan Trush, ceramics faculty and Lviv Polytechnic National University, graphic design, and has over 8 years of experience in book illustration for Ukraine, Poland, and the USA (picture books, covers, editorials, VR books).
A Note From Marta
In my illustrations before the war in Ukraine, I always tried to give warm and positive emotions. Now it is more difficult, sometimes impossible. Therefore, with my works, I try to convey the truth and appeal to human feelings and call for keeping the focus on the good and helping the Ukrainian people.
Marta’s illustrations will be featured in our upcoming Ukrainian benefit anthology, Lower Your Sights.
Mad Cave Studios and Voices Of Children are teaming up to publish Lower Your Sights, a graphic novel anthology, to raise awareness and proceeds for children impacted by war. Earnings from the book’s sales are going directly to the Voices of Children foundation.
Lower Your Sights is available for preorder (FOC on August 29th 2022), and officially in stores on September 14th, 2022. You can pre-order your very own copy of this benefit anthology here.
