Interview
Katerina Papagiannis
Katerina Papagiannis, who goes by Booboolina Designs, is a self-taught freelance sculptor and painter from Montreal, Canada. She is a marketing guru by day, and artist by night. Katerina thrives in all things creative, and not only creates intricate pieces, but is also an avid art and book collector.
Katerina finds beauty and inspiration in dark art, and solace in her books. She’s married to her best friend, whom she refers to as the most supportive human in her life. He not only encourages her artistic growth, but initiated the idea of sculpting in the first place. What he once jokingly suggested became one of her greatest passions. Now, she creates custom art pieces for customers across the globe and sculpts simply to pass her time and ease her stress.
Katerina goes by her artistic name Booboolina, a childhood nickname that pays tribute to her Greek heritage.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“As a young girl, I remember watching my mom paint in her spare time , and thinking that I didn’t have a gift like hers. It wasn’t until later that my creative side kicked in and I found my true passion. I became a makeup artist in my early 20s, and really enjoyed expressing my artistic side through makeup. It was a wonderful thing, but it eventually came to an end when I started my career in marketing and advertising. Then, it was all about pursuing my career in high gear.
One night, during a conversation with my husband I came to the realization that there has to be more to life than just the mundane daily routine—I just needed to figure it out. My husband suggested I take up sculpting, which I laughed off, but the thought lingered at the back of my mind.
I started to look into it, and after hours of research, I decided to dive right in. I immediately bought my very first bag of clay and a starter tool kit set. I had no idea what I was going to do or how; I just knew I was doing it! After I sliced the bag of clay open and the now distinct smell of clay poured out, I felt a sort of déjà vu, like I had already done this before. With that, I put my headphones on, blasted some of my favorite music, and just let my mind run free and my hands do the work. There, on my living room floor, I created my first art piece, Bartholomew. I haven’t stopped since.”
What inspires you most?
“My studio itself inspires me because I’ve created a space with everything that fuels my creativity. I’m surrounded by my collection of books, along with paintings, sculptures, and art pieces from other artists.
The vibration of the room gives me ideas and imbues me with the feeling of creation. I sometimes sit there with a cup of coffee and stare, and things come to me on their own.
I also have a fascination with death, the afterlife, reincarnation, and eternal existence—anything that can’t be fully explained and remains an existential question. As such, my art pieces reflect these themes, for the most part. They always leave something to interpretation.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I tend to gravitate towards concepts of life, death, and rebirth. One aspect in particular which is a little different from what you’d expect is the notion that in the face of tragedy, a part of oneself dies to make room for a new, stronger self—something I’ve personally lived through and came out stronger on the other side.
People come from various walks of life and live through different experiences, good and bad. The moment I find most fascinating is when someone is facing a difficult situation. There is a moment where there is a glimmer of hope; when things are still dark and gloomy, but the light is slightly peeking in and they feel stronger, more resilient—that’s it—that’s the moment. That’s where one’s rebirth commences. One life end’s, another begins. Through death, comes new life.
Other concepts I pursue are related to the mind and the reality that people are multifaceted. They are not always how they present themselves. The idea that there are multiple sides to one person, and that we never truly know what goes on in one’s mind is truly fascinating to me. You’ll find that most of my art pieces have a dark feeling to them, which gives it depth and meaning, but also makes it very subjective.”
“The depth of a person’s mind, body, and soul is what I try to convey.
These concepts not only come out in the sculpture itself, but in the way I choose to paint my art pieces as well.”
What process, materials, techniques, etc do you use to create your artwork?
I have chosen to sculpt with air dry clay. I find it much more agile than other clay mediums, and it allows me to create the textures I want. There is a lot of detail and dimension in my art pieces, so this medium allows for it. For wall-mounted pieces I use a wood canvas and sculpt on the wood, creating 3D wall sculptures.
During the painting process, I find beauty in mixing a lot of colors. I like to create depth using layers, creating a very distinct look.
How would you describe your work?
“My art is bold, dark, and unique. It makes you think, but it is imperfect in many ways—so am I, and so is life. This is why I have chosen ‘Perfectly Imperfect’ as my motto.”
Which artists influence you most?
“I’m not really influenced by any artist in particular, while I do appreciate and admire many. If I had to pick one, I’d say Michelangelo. His versatility as an artist is impressive and his art pieces always send shivers down my spine. Visiting Italy has left a burning imprint on my mind and my heart, especially seeing the statue of David.”
What is your creative process like?
“I have no formal training in sculpting and painting, so my creative process may not be like other sculptors. I don’t sketch or pre-plan my art. I go with the flow. I am guided by intuition; I do what feels right to me, and sometimes it may not be the ‘traditional’ way.
When I have a concept in mind, it sits with me for a few days or weeks. When I’m ready, I sit at my table, put on my headphones, crank up the music and just start. The piece comes together on its own and I can’t even describe it.
Creating art is cathartic for me, it’s a way for me to express myself. It allows me to show a part of myself that people don’t see when they meet me. When it really boils down to it, each piece has a story. As the piece evolves, so does the story in my mind.
Because I do a lot of custom art pieces, I do have to take into account the person I’m making the artwork for: their style, ideas, likes, and dislikes. When I create for someone else, I have them in mind for the majority of the piece. This guides the art.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Art is about creative expression. Art makes people think and feel. It makes people ask questions. As an artist, you tell the world a story through your eyes.
In today’s society, with advancements in digital technology, it’s easier to find and connect with artists. But while social media has made art and artists more findable, it has also opened the door to more criticism.
My message to all artists is to keep creating, no matter what anyone says. Keep telling your story; someone out there is listening, even if you don’t know it.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I’ve enjoyed participating in the following:
2021 - Art cover for Revolution Album by Alice London.
2019 - Local art exhibition at Gallery Alter Ego.
- Raw Artist Exhibition – Reflect Exhibition.”
