Funky, fresh, fab. We’re talkin’ about anything Danii Pollehn (she/her) creates. (Have you seen the logo she made for us today?) The Portugal-based illustrator practically lives for art, and says it’s the only thing that’s ever made sense to her. But when she’s not busy creating, she loves reading, surfing, singing, dancing, and cooking as a chronically ill girlie. “I have a very special diet which needs a lot of dedication that helps me to be able to live the life I want to.”

See what (and who) inspires her, a painting she can’t stop thinking about, and what she’s up to next below.

How did you get into art?
To be honest, it was a long journey with a ton of difficulties and doubts (and often still is). I always loved drawing and working with colors but growing up, becoming an illustrator or artist wasn’t really an option nor did I know that it was actually a possibility to make a living off of. Years passed before I realized that I just had to go for it. It was a scary process as I didn’t have any funds or safety net, but it was all worth it and I’d do it again—even if I would fail.

What medium do you use for your work?
A lot of my work is created digitally on both iPad or on desktop, but I really enjoy working with acrylic markers and oil pastels, as well as mixing them all together. While the work digitally needs to be precise, most times I like working intuitively with the markers and pastels. Not thinking about anything and the artwork revealing itself while I’m working on it, ya know?

Your art is very vibrant and often features powerful poses. What are you inspired by?
Mainly by life itself! By what happened to me and others and the strength to get up again, resilience, and the will to continue. Sometimes we need a reminder that in the end it’s all worth it, which I’m trying to convey with the poses and the vibrant color choices—showing we can all learn and grow even though life is not always easy.

Do you look to any artists for inspiration?
For me, it’s probably more the people that I surround myself with rather than certain artists. If I had to choose anyone I’d probably go with Missy Elliot, Kandinsky, and Alma Thomas. This question truly haunts me because some artists didn’t age well and many things don’t feel relatable, hence they’re not very inspiring in the end. I love going to museums and art galleries but have not yet found my ultimate artist inspiration.

To explain myself a little bit, I love watching Jonathan van Ness. They’re unapologetically and authentically themself—always kind, present, and willing to give so much which shows a lot of confidence and resilience. In this day and age, it’s something absolutely special and wonderful, and inspires me to be a better person.

What’s a piece you’ve seen that you’re absolutely obsessed with?
I loved seeing Vasily Kandinsky: Composition 8 in the Guggenheim back in 2019. I can’t stop thinking about it.

Do you have any other exciting projects in the works?
There are several client projects that are not published yet, so keep your eyes open. Concerning my personal projects, I will most likely come up with new paintings and illustrations very soon. After a long period of just working for clients, I can’t wait to let loose and get my hands on the markers! Definitely have a couple of exciting ideas for the beginning of 2024, like creating more originals traditionally and getting involved with textiles again.

How can we shop, follow, and support you?
Check out my website and my shop for giclee art prints. I’m also active on IG and on Behance under the same name. Feel free to reach out via email.