photograph by yours truly
Say hello to Sandra Dieckmann, the artist extraordinaire who is not only responsible for our newest background, but also made our super slick flier for the opening edition of our new party, BLOGWARS!
Born in Germany in 1983, Sani moved to London in 2002 in search of new adventures and further education. This is where our paths collided (and I believe, will be forever intertwined somewhat) in the fateful location fondly known as MildenHell.
But before all this, growing up in a tiny village in Germany surrounded by nature influenced Sani's work a lot. She believes that her versatile approach to creating images stems from her childhood. “My head is full of stories and creatures and conversations. I can’t be any other way. Sometimes I think it is the way I was allowed to be free without fear so early on that ignited this dreaminess. I explored the woods, spent loads of time reading, drawing, and just making things. I just don't think I ever stopped.”
After starting out studying Fashion Design, Sani made the switch to Illustration and Graphics where she graduated with first class honours from the University of Westminster; even getting a children's book published that she wrote and illustrated herself as a result (that's it below), entitled The Bumble Bear and the Grizzly Bee.
She's also devised and is curating two illustration projects, which are both now open for submissions.
Check them out: Haus Stories and If I Was You
How and when did you know you were going to be an illustrator?
I guess I am an illustrator because people have to classify people. I'd still make images if there was no such term. All I'm saying is that it's how I am, a part of me the way I progress information. I'm not a brand. I'm not designed. I don't draw to be someone. I'm that person already. I see myself as a story teller, an entertainer and an artist in the general sense. I'm also a human being, a thinker, a friend, a moaner, an animal lover, part of nature, mad, sad. Aren't we all and can we not all create?
What have been are your biggest influences?
Everything around me. The green trees, the flowers that are out now, the streets, peoples faces, the sky and London life. Rubbish on the floor and stains on the asphalt, things that no one else has time to look at any more. Then there is my love and my cat Little Crumb and my friends and other creatives that I’m connected to.
And anything by David Attenborough. Nature books and google images searches for animals!
Touching and watching animals and the natural world. I have a new book 'Baby Animals' they are amazing! Bus dreaming! Music! I think that is only the beginning! These questions are not fair - you don't want to read 10,000 words!
Who would love to work for or collaborate with?
Anyone that is honest, driven, open that has time for the world and not just themselves.
People with open eyes. People that make eye contact and that aren't scared to tell a long story.
People that can say 'Not so good' when asked 'how are you?'.
I'm working on a collaboration with Jamie Mills at the moment. He is amazing and we are very similar in many ways I think. We haven't given too much away yet about the project. It involves animals and nature and drawing of course. Maybe a charity as well!
Eric Carle is a genius. Love to talk to him. He's actually got a blog. It's lovely listening to someone's voice that has so many creative years behind him.
What did you dream about last night?
I dreamed about the search for the perfect dog. I worked at a fruit stall in a market that was run by the Chinese mafia. I had a top floor flat in a Mediterranean country. The doors wouldn't shut and there was a person in a hoodie in the flat that had no face and was constanly laying in the middle of the room that I was in, so I had to keep step over him. My mother's ghost was in the flat but I never really saw her - but she comforted me. I never found the perfect dog in the end.
Favourite medium?
My head, my eyes and anything that fits into my hands.
