Today we’d like to introduce you to Masho Margishvili Aka Masholand.
Hi Masho, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a Georgian artist and designer. In summer 2013, I got a design internship in Hanoi, Vietnam, and even though it was the first time for me in Asia, I flew there all by myself. I instantly fell in love with Hanoi. The environment was magical: lakes and ponds filled with koi fish, the exotic trees intertwined with the wires next to the beautiful old houses, pagodas’ gardens with unforgettable plumeria flower smells, welcoming people, delicious Vietnamese food – I couldn’t keep the overflowing feelings anymore. Every way of expression I knew wasn’t enough. So, I started drawing, and right away, I discovered a parallel universe, which I later formalized as Masholand.
Likewise other worlds, Masholand is inhabited by various creatures, such as Rebellious spirits, Stone-Eaters, human-like Masholanders, Nosy Birds, dragonfruits, etc. Each one of them has their story and favorite places to live. I use many different media, such as illustration, mural painting, animation, game design, and more, to spread the idea of Masholand. The forms of expression are expanding with me while traveling in different countries and learning new skills myself.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Being completely lost in my career path has been my story until my mid-20s. That’s why realizing that discovering Masholand was one of the best things that have ever happened to me was a journey. As I never had proper training in any of the art forms, believing in myself that I could do this was a struggle. Additionally, making a living from what you love to do requires far more than just your wish, time, and effort – you also need to learn many business-related skills.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work tells stories about Masholand, its creatures, and places. I used different media such as illustration, painting, murals, writing, animation, merchandise, graphic and game design, and more to show that universe to people in the best possible way I can. People tell me that Masholand has its distinctive, easily recognizable style, which sets it apart from others. It gives me the courage to keep showing my work to others. Although starting with the creative journey, I had no proper art training, I am proud of expanding my skills and pushing myself not to give up. Now I am in the process of bringing more interactive elements to the physical and virtual representation of Masholand, so what is happening in my mind can also be seen and perceived by others.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Whenever I feel stuck, I tend to visit TEDtalks (videos and podcasts) and 99U conferences for inspiration. Somehow, getting to know other people’s journey gives me the motivation to move forward. When I have time, I enjoy reading books of the surrealism genre, as they always remind me of my dreams. Learning new skills also help me to get unstuck, so I try to take classes on Skillshare. Last year I started making digital illustrations and Gifs in the Procreate app, which transformed my routine by speeding up and simplifying the process.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.masholand.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masholand/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/masholand.masholand
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/masholand
Image Credits
Crazy Plant Lady – @PlantDadi Socks – @AlterSocks Murals – @Niko Movement
