Beyond the Page: Karina Nova (a.k.a. iammunkee)

Karina Nova, aka iammunkee, is a designer and illustrator based in the Dominican Republic who creates colorful 2D works and animations inspired by popular culture and daily life. Read on below to learn more about Karina’s work and process.

Tell us about yourself! 

My name is Karina Nova, designer and illustrator known in the digital world as iammunkee. Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, a small island in the Caribbean next to Haiti. Yes,Hi, that's us. Studied Communication Design in Altos de Chavon the School of Design and Parsons the School of Design. Art director at Capital, a digital advertising agency.  

How were you first introduced to art? When did you start practicing animation?

I was first introduced to art from a very young age, my mother studied fine arts and was an arts and crafts teacher in school. Since I can remember, I was constantly doodling or drawing, sometimes in very odd places like my mother’s car, which she wasn’t fond of. I wasn’t very talkative as a kid so I used art as a means to express myself. I grew up watching tv shows like Pappyland and Art Attack, and I was always fascinated by what they came up with, which inspired me to create. I started practicing animation in art school. I took Motion Graphics classes and I’ve been dabbling with it ever since.

When did you participate in the sketchbook project and what was that process like for you?

I participated in the Sketchbook Project a few years ago, this would be my third time now. The process was quite liberating and challenging at the same time. Working with a blank canvas is hard, I told myself I wasn’t going to have a theme and to just simply create without thought. I loved working with mixed media and using unorthodox materials, like aluminum foil, duck tape, liquid paper, etc… and from that create a new style.

Did any of the drawings from your sketchbook get turned into animations? 

From my other sketchbooks yes, some of them have been turned into two-dimensional animated gifs. But from my sketchbook project they still remain as still life images, for one day to be turned into one, who knows there are endless possibilities. 

Can you walk us through your animation process a bit?

When it comes to animation, first I brainstorm. Jot down the first thing that comes to mind, anything goes, I say the weirder the better. I build a moodboard of references and inspiration that get the creative juices flowing. I seldom do storyboards, I usually go straight to digital and create my scenes in Adobe Illustrator to then animate in After Effects. My process is a bit unconventional, but that’s what I like about it. Everyone has their own unique methodology. 

What about animation as a medium relates to the concepts in your work or in what ways does it push the work more than just a static image?

For me animation just takes your image to a whole new level. Suddenly something that you had envisioned as a still image literally comes to life with the push of a button, well various buttons, but you get what I mean. I love the way movement adds more character to my illustrations. In the process of experimenting with animation, I discover new dimensions to my illustrations that I didn’t realize before. It relates to the concepts in my work, because the way I animate is kind of choppy, jerky and odd which are recurring themes in my artwork. 

What are sources of inspiration for you? 

Graphic novels, lowbrow art, pop culture, comic books, zines, social media, music, vintage and modern cartoons. The internet, everyday routines, eras like the 80s and 90s, Studio Ghibli. I was obsessed as a kid with One Saturday Morning on ABC and Nickelodeon. MTV’s Liquid Television, Adult Swim and Frederator Studios. Cartoon shows like Rugrats, Ren and Stimpy, CatDog, Rocko’s Modern Life, Recess are still to this day sources of inspiration. Can you tell I was somewhat of a tv junkie? 

What are recurring subjects and themes in your work? 

The human anatomy, imperfections whether it be physical or emotional, the underdogs, subliminal emotions, dark humor, my daily surroundings, adding emotion with color, oddities, genderless characters, maximilism. 

How does your digital process differ from your traditional 2D process?

I would say that when it comes to traditional media there are more options for materials to use. And there also is no other feeling than the sense of pen on paper. But sometimes, I do think it’s one and the same. For both, I always start out with a line drawing and then I add color and shading (when it comes to digital). I actually treat color the same way both digital and analog in that I love using all the colors of the spectrum to express different emotions, whether it be sadness, love, nostalgia, etc ... and then everyone can have their own interpretation, which can be so different as to what I intended. 

How have current circumstances impacted you creatively?

Oddly enough I have found the need to create more. I feel a sense of freedom and peace whenever I’m making something new whether it be digital or traditional media. When I’m drawing I forget all the outside turmoil and generate my own world. “...it’s a positive distraction. The whole thing about making art is you feel very present whilst doing it…” quote by Ketnipz. 

I say to myself, this is the life we’re living in and while we’re in it what can we do to make the daily norm better? So I encourage you to find your niche, whatever it might be. 

How can people support your work? 

People can find me on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/iammunkee  or on tumblr https://www.iammunkee.tumblr.com/