Studio
personal work, 2016.
Gouache, watercolour, water-soluble pastel, and coloured pencil, on Bristol paper. A4 format.
Hello there!
My name is Apolonia Stankiewicz (also known as St.Ainolopa on the Internet), I am a freelance illustrator and fine artist, based in Paris.
Since 2014 I have been making illustrations for several magazines, including Baïka. I also paint family portraits, pet portraits, imaginary creatures, and make greeting cards, for private individuals.
I draw inspiration from my surroundings, my cherished collection of books, my past trips across Europe, and the pleasure one takes in the simple things in life.
When I work on my illustrations I love focusing on colours, and I experiment with traditional materials on account of the textures they render. The irregular shapes and the unique aspect of handmade things fascinate me - especially when its creators have put a lot of time and care in making them.
The medium I usually use are acrylic gouache, water-soluble pastels, and coloured pencils. And tea (so my mind does not pass out of my body, in reminding it of the connection by actual sensation)...
I am currently working on my first picturebook for children that I write and illustrate. It is entitled A story of gloves (Une histoire de gants).
In my spare time I walk my beloved hound Zoya, rave about picturebooks I come across, study traditional and stop-motion animation, and eat far too much cheese... I enjoy throwing pots when opportunity knocks, and sculpting cute little creatures from clay. Being lazy on the sofa reading, or watching movies, is very much appreciated as well.
Since 2019 I have been conducting workshops for children, within Baïka’s team. For more information about the workshops, please contact Noémie Monier at Baïka Magazine.
Newspapers and magazines
- At the root of the stars, published in Amelia’s Magazine (2014).
Amelia’s Magazine 10th Anniversary Edition issue: That which we don’t understand.
- The legend of Ganga, the goddess of rivers, published in Baïka Magazine (2017).
Baïka Magazine, issue #8 : Spécial Inde et Iran.
- The Wawel dragon, published in Baïka Magazine (2019).
Baïka Magazine, issue #14 : Spécial Pologne et Chine.
- The Wawel dragon, published in FEBS Letters (2019).
FEBS Letters, Volume 593 Number 13 : Kraków Special Issue.
BOOKS
- The legend of Ganga, the goddess of rivers (2017).
Collectif, ‘Contes de Baïka’, Les Éditions des Éléphants, Paris, 2018, p.43-49.
- The Wawel dragon (2019).
Collectif, ‘L’archipel littéraire 6e Cycle 3’, Éditions Maison des Langues, 2021, p.22-23, p.354.
- The Wawel dragon (2019).
Collectif, ‘Contes de Baïka, de la Corée au Sénégal’, Les Éditions des Éléphants, Paris, 2022, p.37-45.
Exhibitions
2008 L’eau (group show), Musée municipal d'art et d'histoire de Colombes. Colombes. France.
2014 Faites un Vœu (group show), Slow Galerie. Paris. France.
2019 Mois des Arts de Montreuil pour l'Enfance (group show), Festival Marmoe. Montreuil. France.
2021 Baïka, du voyage à chaque page (group show), Les rencontres de l'Illustration. Strasbourg. France.