Lina Kusaite
Freelance illustrator, Artist, Coach, workshop leader
Brussels, BelgiumMy main source of creative activities is Nature and it's ecosystems. It was mainly influence by Japanese biologist M. Fukuoka and his book, ‘The One-Straw Revolution’. It brought me to another level of understanding about the complexity and beauty of ‘Natures World’ in the relationship with human-kind. This evolved into creating different methodologies, workshops and artworks in order to inform people about the social life of plants and undeniable need for humans to connect with wilderness.
          Work Experience
Studio Fabric
Freelance Interior wall design
                      Commission for Studio Fabric(https://studiofabric.com), that works on brand design for residential properties in the States. This work was created for one of the properties that are at the moment in development in Los Angeles, US. The visual will be used as a mural and website.
                    
                
                  
                    January 2024
 - March 2024
                    San Diego, California, United States
                  
                BIONEXT
Freelance Editorial design
                      i needed to create 3 images/illustrations for 3 different visions for a research and innovation project that joins the fight for nature and biodiversity. 
                    
                
                  
                    January 2024
 - May 2024
                    Belgium
                  
                Faulkner+Locke Inc
freelance artist
                      Commissioned to create two large artworks for the Signia by Hilton Atlanta/Georgia, USA
                    
                
                  
                    September 2022
 - February 2023
                    Atlanta, Georgia, United States
                  
                Conrad Hotel In Shenzhen
Freelance artist
                      Two artworks for the restaurant area at Conrad Hotel in Shenzhen. Hand drawing, final composition finalised in Photoshop, printed on cotton material with 3D printer. Client:  SHENZHEN NOD SOFT DECORATION CO., LTD  /  Design company: Tofu Inc / https://tofuinc.jp/
                    
                
                  
                    September 2023
 - November 2023
                    Shenzhen, China
                  
                Xitan Hotel
Freelance interior mural and carpet design
                      In 2019 interior design company TofuInc in Tokyo, Japan ( https://tofuinc.jp ) invited me to collaborate with them on Xitan Hotel project and create for the place 11 artworks. It took me over 3 years to complete all works and finally, in 2023, Hotel opened its doors to the public.
All works are created on the base of botany, seasonal Chinese flowers, some are more abstract, some – very anatomical.
Works were drawn by hand and later, composed in Photoshop so it could be again transformed into different materials like porcelain enamel, hand embroidery, tufting or hand drawn by other people.
Xitan Hotel is located next to Tanzhe Temple, spread over two hectares of an ancient village built towards the end of the Ming Dynasty, the atypical architecture of this luxury hotel is inspired by its surroundings.
                    
                
                  All works are created on the base of botany, seasonal Chinese flowers, some are more abstract, some – very anatomical.
Works were drawn by hand and later, composed in Photoshop so it could be again transformed into different materials like porcelain enamel, hand embroidery, tufting or hand drawn by other people.
Xitan Hotel is located next to Tanzhe Temple, spread over two hectares of an ancient village built towards the end of the Ming Dynasty, the atypical architecture of this luxury hotel is inspired by its surroundings.
                    August 2019
 - March 2022
                    Beijing, China
                  
                Tazamaafricantarot
Tarot boc cover Illustration design
                      Illustrating 3rd box cover for different artist tarot cards
                    
                
                  
                    September 2023
 - Present
                    Netherlands
                  
                La Potage Itinerant
illustration for the website
                      Illustrations created for the website about permaculture gardening and nature walks. Illustration includes following plants: Beans, Beetroot, Squash, Cabbage, Lotus, Rhubarb, Honeysuckle, Mugworst. The project is created by Fabrice Wagner. https://www.potager-itinerant.com/
                    
                
                  
                    January 2022
 - March 2022
                    Brussels, Belgium
                  
                Aromapoco
Product concept design
                      This April (2013), I was asked by "Aromapoco", Australian company that makes products for infants, toddlers and new mummy’s from natural ingredients, to create a character for antibacterial spray product.
                    
                
                  
                    April 2013
 - May 2013
                    Australia
                  
                Ted Baker
illustrator
                      in July 2012, I was invited by AOI (The Association of Illustrators)  to create a drawing for Ted Baker and to be part of the Baker's Dozen project for the launch of Autumn/Winter 2012 collection.
                    
                
                  
                     2012
 -  2012
                    London, United Kingdom
                  
                Publishing House
'Nieko Rimto'
                      I was invited to he was invited to illustrate 2 Maria Gripe books: 
"The Shadow On The Stone Bench" and "...and white shadows in the forest "
                
                  "The Shadow On The Stone Bench" and "...and white shadows in the forest "
                    April 2009
 - August 2010
                    Vilnius, Lithuania
                  
                Graphic Design Studio
'ERdesign l.t.d.'
                      Illustartions for the book: The Game of Chess in 30 lessons, by Aleksandar Matanovic & Moshe Slav, 2005
and full page illustrated Chess calendar of 2007
                
                  and full page illustrated Chess calendar of 2007
                     2005
 -  2007
                    Tel Aviv, Israel
                  
                An Independent Video Games Development Studio
Tale of Tales
                      Tale of Tales is an independent video games development studio, located in Ghent, Belgium. 
The purpose of Tale of Tales is to create elegant and emotionally rich interactive entertainment.
Within the game studio i worked as character designer for such games like:
'8' and 'The Endless Forest'
http://tale-of-tales.com/TheEndlessForest/
http://tale-of-tales.com/8/
                
                  The purpose of Tale of Tales is to create elegant and emotionally rich interactive entertainment.
Within the game studio i worked as character designer for such games like:
'8' and 'The Endless Forest'
http://tale-of-tales.com/TheEndlessForest/
http://tale-of-tales.com/8/
                    January 2004
 - January 2006
                    Gent, Belgium
                  
                A Research Group And A Transdisciplinary Laboratory
FoAM
                      FoAM is a research group and a transdisciplinary laboratory for holistic and speculative cultures.
FoAM consists of a network of generalists, committed to supporting and developing a holistic culture. FoAM members include artists, facilitators, gardeners, cooks, technologists, designers, entrepreneurs, writers and scientists from all walks of life.
FoAM's activities arise from the gaps between traditional disciplines, to uncover and strengthen links & interdependencies between them. The activities are developed in three interconnected streams: creative research, collaborative facilitation and archiving. The activites range from research initiatives and residencies, to workshops and coaching, public events and publishing.
I was invited to join FOAM as an experimental textile designer. During the years my activities stretched from production management, office management, research and design on interactive environments to illustrations, concept art for games design, and workshop facilitation.
                
                  FoAM consists of a network of generalists, committed to supporting and developing a holistic culture. FoAM members include artists, facilitators, gardeners, cooks, technologists, designers, entrepreneurs, writers and scientists from all walks of life.
FoAM's activities arise from the gaps between traditional disciplines, to uncover and strengthen links & interdependencies between them. The activities are developed in three interconnected streams: creative research, collaborative facilitation and archiving. The activites range from research initiatives and residencies, to workshops and coaching, public events and publishing.
I was invited to join FOAM as an experimental textile designer. During the years my activities stretched from production management, office management, research and design on interactive environments to illustrations, concept art for games design, and workshop facilitation.
                    January 2001
 - September 2011
                    Brussels, Belgium
                  
                Education
Vilnius Academy Of Arts
Bachelor degree in Fashion Design
                    October 1994
 - June 1998
                    Vilnius, Lithuania
                  
                HKU-Utrecht School Of Art + Institute Francs De La Mode
European Master of Arts in Fashion and Textile Design
                    September 1999
 - December 2000
                    Utrecht, The Netherlands and Paris, France
                  
                Languages
                  English (Fluent), 
                
              
                  Russian (Fluent), 
                
              
                  Polish (Advanced), 
                
              
                  Dutch (Beginner), 
                
              
                  Lithuanian (Native), 
                
              Awards
'AR MADA'
the best 'Conceptual Fashion Collection'
                    1996
                  
                Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds
nominated for the Netherlands Prince Bernard Cultural Prize - a national award for outstanding achievements in the arts
                    2009
                  
                The World Architecture And Design Award At UNESCO
18 New World's Most Beautiful Hotels by the Selection Committee for the Prix Versailles
                    2023
                  
                Skills
                   Adobe Photoshop, 
                   Coaching, 
                   Online Communication, 
                   Painting, 
                   Sculpture, 
                   Teamwork, 
                   Watercolour, 
                  Game Design, 
                  Hand Drawing, 
                  Project Coordination, 
                  Teaching,,