Interview #29: The Art Side of Life with Iva Mikles
A great in-depth talk on creative and learning paths in the AI era with Iva Mikles
Hello art community!!! Today’s guest is both an artist and an art teacher who will share useful insights on creative careers and learning paths you can implement right away.
For those just finding me - I’m Madalina, an artist and illustrator who loves discovering and talking to many fellow artists. I now share these conversations through monthly interviews available to read for everyone :)
Iva Mikles is an artist and illustrator based in Central Europe and founder of the Art Side of Life®, a learning platform where she shares online courses, inspiration, motivation and professional advice. Iva has more than 15 years of experience in the creative industry under her belt. She loves sharing what she has learned along the way and helping other artists start their careers. It's funny that I met her while interviewing other artists on her YouTube channel. At that time I never thought I would be the one interviewing her years later. But here we are and I can't wait to learn more about her!
★ Hi Iva and thank you for joining forArtists. Could you tell us what was your artistic path that led you to where you are today?
Hi, and thank you so much for having me! My artistic journey has been quite an adventure, so I’ll try to share the highlights in order.
My love for art started early, thanks to my grandma, who made beautifully detailed embroidery and folk art, and my parents, who introduced me to illustrated storybooks. As a kid, I tried traditional art techniques in after-school classes, but I didn’t pursue it seriously. Like many, I grew up in an environment where it was believed that you couldn’t make a stable living as an artist, so I ended up studying Business.
Years later, I rediscovered my love for art when I experimented with a Wacom tablet and Photoshop while working as a concept creator on advertising campaigns for brands like Ariel and Wella. It made me realize how much I enjoyed creating visually! From there, I landed an internship at LEGO, which became a major turning point in my career. I started as an illustrator, contributing to the award-winning LEGO Friends line by working on character designs, packaging, and animated series for Netflix and Disney. I also had the opportunity to work on projects like LEGO Lord of the Rings, LEGO Hobbit, and conceptual development for the first LEGO Movie. Over time, I advanced to the role of senior producer, where I took on responsibilities in art direction and style guide development.
Eventually, I decided to focus on my own projects, so I started my own studio. This gave me the freedom to work on personal illustration concepts, continue improving my skills, and share what I learned with others. That’s when I started Art Side of Life®, a podcast where I chatted with artists and shared resources to help others pursue creative careers. It’s been incredibly fulfilling to inspire and support other artists on their journeys!
Since then, I evolved Art Side of Life® into a learning platform where artists find resources to improve their art skills.
★ How did you come up with the idea for the Art Side of Life®? And what are your plans for the coming years?
I came up with the idea for Art Side of Life® because I wanted to share stories of other artists and what I had learned along my own journey.
When I was starting out, I realized there wasn’t much detailed information available about how real artists—across all kinds of creative fields—build their careers, make a living, and thrive doing what they love. There were plenty of inspiring works of art out there, but not enough practical guidance or firsthand accounts about the path behind the success.
I wanted to fill that gap by creating a podcast where artists could hear directly from others who have been through the process. I envisioned Art Side of Life® as a way to “demystify” the creative career path, showing that it’s not only possible to make a living from art but also to enjoy a fulfilling and sustainable career doing so..
As for the future, my plans include expanding the platform to reach even more artists and fellow creatives. I want to create additional content in diverse formats, such as art programs, classes, tutorials, workshops, and downloadable guides, to make it even more accessible and helpful. If you want to stay in the know, feel free to subscribe to my art letters.
★ You have met and talked with many artists in the field. What advice has really changed your life and that you still cherish? And which artists have been role models for you?
One of the most impactful pieces of advice I’ve ever received is to just try before you’re ready.
It’s such a simple concept, but it’s incredibly powerful. So many times, we hold ourselves back because we feel we’re not skilled enough, experienced enough, or qualified enough. But the truth is, you’ll never feel fully “ready.” The growth and confidence come from starting and learning along the way. It’s about taking that leap, even when self-doubt creeps in, and trusting that you’ll figure things out as you go.
Another piece of advice that truly resonated with me was about how to start your journey as an illustrator—or really, any creative profession. Someone told me, “Just say you are one.” It sounds almost too simple, but it’s transformative. The moment you identify yourself as an illustrator or an artist, both to yourself and to others, you begin to approach your work differently. It’s about stepping into that role and taking it seriously. From there, each project, each small win, and each failure becomes part of your journey. It’s the mindset shift that matters most.
As for role models, I’ve been fortunate to connect with so many inspiring artists over the years, and it’s incredibly hard to mention only a few because it would feel unfair to all the others. What I truly admire in the artists who’ve stood out to me is their ability to combine creativity with a strong sense of authenticity and resilience. Their journeys remind me that success is about staying true to yourself, persevering through challenges, and constantly evolving. They continue to inspire me to push boundaries, embrace new opportunities, and remain open to learning every step of the way!
★ You create a lot of content on many platforms. How do you plan everything and manage your time?
During my time as a designer and producer, I worked with many different departments, freelancers, and stakeholders, where managing multiple tasks and priorities was essential—juggling a lot of balls in the air, so to speak. To stay on top of everything, I learned the importance of marking everything in a calendar and setting clear goals and milestones to track tasks and deadlines. These experiences have been invaluable in helping me plan and organize projects, whether I’m working with clients or managing personal projects on the side.
One of my top tips is to start by setting a goal, then break it down into smaller, manageable tasks. Estimate how long each task will take and schedule them in your calendar. This approach not only keeps you on track but also helps you assess whether you can take on additional projects when new opportunities come your way. If you’d like to dive deeper into this topic, I also have a course called Productivity for Artists that provides more strategies and insights.
★ Let's talk about a big taboo: money. What are your main income sources and which ones would you like to implement more?
My main income sources include a mix of client projects, licensing, prints and my Art Club.
I enjoy the combination of creative work and educational resources, which keeps things exciting and diverse. Looking ahead, I’d love to expand my client projects work and create additional resources that artists can use in their own creative journeys.
★ What advice would you give to beginner artists who are just starting their careers in the age of AI and algorithms gone wild?
This is a very hard question because I can’t predict the future but I believe that people want to keep connected with other people.
If you look through history, human creativity has always been resilient. Artists have adapted to new technologies throughout, and I really think we can do it again with AI. There will always be a place for real artists. I believe clients want to work with people who can understand their vision and bring it to life in a way that feels personal and meaningful. Sure, parts of the industry might embrace AI, but remember when 3D was a big disruption? Now it’s just another tool in the creative world.
I think the key is to focus on what makes you unique.
Develop a personal art style and creative identity that’s hard for AI to replicate. Infuse your art with your own experiences, emotions, and perspective. Try new techniques, explore different mediums, and even look outside of art. For example, other disciplines can inspire you to create something fresh and unexpected. It’s those human elements, like emotional depth and intuition, that AI just can’t match.
If seeing too much AI-generated work gets you down, try to step back from it. Focus on your own growth instead. I think that by leaning into your creativity and individuality, you’ll stay motivated and keep making art that’s truly your own. AI might be part of the landscape now, but I believe it can’t replace the heart and soul behind what we create.
★ You mainly work with digital tools, but your art still maintains a traditional feel. What are the key aspects of achieving this look?
Even though I primarily work digitally, I keep my traditional sketchbook close and use it all the time. It keeps me connected to the joy of creating away from the screen and fuels my creativity. I love experimenting with traditional media and exploring the unique textures and marks they create in my sketchbook.
I often start with a base of watercolor or gouache and layer it with colored pencils and wax pastels—Neopastels 2 are my absolute favorite. This hands-on process inspires me to bring the charm and warmth of traditional media into my digital art.
While digital art is much more practical for client work—especially when revisions are involved—it’s important to me that my digital pieces still maintain that traditional look and feel. To achieve it, I create my own digital brush sets, starting with marks made in my sketchbook. I carefully test each brush to ensure it mimics the texture and character of real materials as closely as possible. It’s such a great way to combine the charm of traditional media with the convenience of digital tools 🙂
I am super happy that these brushes have become very popular among other artists too, and I’m so excited to invite you to explore all my brushes and popular bundles here.
Whether I’m working traditionally or digitally, my love for experimenting and exploring new colors, shapes, and techniques always drives my art!
★ Of all the educational content you've created, what courses and tools would you suggest to beginner artists who don't know where to start?
In my Art Club, I’ve created structured learning paths to help beginner artists get started on their creative journey.
For those who don’t know where to begin, I’d recommend starting with Learning Paths #1 to #4, which I specifically designed to build a strong foundation in art skills and creativity. These paths cover essential topics, from mastering the basics to exploring different techniques and finding your creative voice. You can find all the details and access the learning paths here.
What is more, I plan to launch new art programs in 2025, and I will share more details about them in my art letters, on Instagram and YouTube, so feel free to subscribe to learn when I launch them!
★ What is the question you receive most often in your dms?
The question I get most often in my DMs is: Which iPad do you have, and which drawing app do you use?
I use an iPad Pro, and my go-to drawing app is Procreate. I find it incredibly versatile and user friendly. If you’re trying to decide which iPad to get or want more details, I’ve made helpful blog posts and YouTube videos about the best iPads for Procreate with a more in-depth overview to help you choose the best for your specific needs!
★ What people don't know about you, the person behind the art?
Something people might not know about me is that I love to travel. Every time I visit a new location, I try to create artwork inspired by the experiences and scenery.
I also try to meet other artists and creatives in the areas I visit. It's such a great way to connect and share inspiration. If you’d like to chat about art over coffee or visit an art gallery together, feel free to message me on Instagram! 🙂
I also enjoy trying new sports, and I recently tried surfing for the first time. It’s quickly becoming one of my favorite activities! Another passion of mine is seeing animals in the wild, though sadly, it’s becoming harder to do in many places. That’s why I love supporting conservation efforts like Planet Wild and other animal rescue groups that work to protect the natural world and biodiversity!.
Oh, and one more fun fact: I love pineapple pizza! But... can it really still be considered a pizza? 😉hehe!
☆☆ To learn more about Iva's work you can visit her Instagram and YouTube, and join her Art Club.
