Lina Kusaite

Freelance illustrator, Artist, Coach, workshop leader

Brussels, Belgium
My 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

Baeschlin AG

Illustrator

illustrating 2 books
September 2022 - Present Glarus, Switzerland

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.

August 2019 - March 2022 Beijing, China

Alma Littera

Freelance illustrator

book illustration
August 2022 - October 2022 Vilnius, Lithuania

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

Gallery - IDA

artist

I was approached by gallery IDA to create 3 large works.
2013 - 2014 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

Tuur Florizoone

CD cover design for new album "Balades Ephemeres"

April 2013 - April 2013 Belgium

TYTOALBA

Illustrator

2012 - 2012 Vilnius, Lithuania

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 "
April 2009 - August 2010 Vilnius, Lithuania

Alma Littera

illustrator

2009 - 2009 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
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/
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.
January 2001 - September 2011 Brussels, Belgium

Education

Vilnius Academy Of Arts

Bachelor degree in Fashion Design

October 1994 - June 1998 Vilnius, Lithuania

Institute Francs De La Mode

Marketing and PR course

September 2000 - December 2000 Paris, France

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

IJungle Illustration Awards

Gold Medal Winner for the best book illustration

2018

Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards

Second place(silver) as best illustrator

2015

Next Generation Indie Book Awards

Finalist in children’s juvenile fiction

2016

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,,