Karina Jambrak - The art of risk and reward
EPISODE 10
his episode is about finding and then committing to a creative practice that helps build a deep connection to one's self and ultimately the wider energy and network of the world. Karina Jambrak is an Australian artist who does exactly this. I’ve been friends with Karina since high school and have witnessed her go through many of life's stages. To sit down with her now and reflect on the journey so far has been a blessing, as it’s a beautiful thing when you see a friend finally arrive at a place within themselves that feels authentic and true. This is the place where Karina is at. And the process of art making and turning towards nature has helped her get there.
After going through a tough period of losing it all, she transformed this pain into powerful energy, realising it was time to take a risk and back herself. After training to be a designer working for brands and fashion houses for 15 years, she knew deep down she had the capacity not only to start her own business as a full-time artist, but for it to be a roaring success. She is deeply inspired by Mother Nature and it has been a persistent underlying influence in her work over the years. However, now she is not beholden to anyone else's vision or brief, the Natural world takes centre stage in her work, as she takes the viewer on a journey into dreamy sunsets and landscapes with curious creatures and beautiful colour palettes. She talks openly about being receptive to the universe's signs and signals in order to find her flow, allowing her to sink into the zone and create from the heart.
Karina has learnt a lot along the way, and talks candidly about the value of being authentic to your vision and yourself in order to build a business that is sustainable for the long term. She goes into the challenges of working solo, and how being in tune with her body and mood can dictate the trajectory of the day or outcome of the work. She talks about her urge to give back to people or animals in need, often donating large scale original artworks to charities such as the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital and helping out when the disastrous Northern Rivers floods hit in 2019/20. We also hear about the learnings she gained from motherhood and the perils and positives of having a business rooted in social media platforms.
If you’re interested in understanding the workings of a creative and intelligent mind, whilst also having a laugh, then this episode is for you.
PLUS COMMUNITY DISCOUNTS!! - Karina is generously offering listeners 10% off artwork from her website, use the code SUNSMITH10 at checkout.
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Thank you so much for joining me on this journey of uncovering tales of inspiring women.
Brigid x
Transcript
*Please note that this transcript is automated and may not be 100% accurate
Brigid Moloney
Thanks for joining us today, Karina.
Karina Jambrak
Thanks for having me.
Brigid Moloney
Thanks for coming on the San Smith Podcast. I am recording from Bundjalung on land where I live and work. Whereabouts are you?
Karina Jambrak
Gadigal country.
Brigid Moloney
Lovely. Is that in Sydney?
Karina Jambrak
It is? Yes. I'm on the east coast in Sydney.
Brigid Moloney
East coast. Nice.
Brigid Moloney
And so I want to start every episode this season asking each guest the same question, which is what is the greatest lesson that nature has taught you.
Karina Jambrak
Nature. I think the greatest lesson that it has taught me is that it is my healer, in a way, without sounding to cringe. Like, I feel like whenever I'm overwhelmed or if there's a lot of chaos going on, like a dip in the ocean, or just even a walk alongside the beach just will clear my head.
Karina Jambrak
And it also inspires me to create so.
Brigid Moloney
No, I love that.
Karina Jambrak
So I mean, look, I'm not I'm not like your camper or your hiker. Let's be honest. Like I'm not that kind of nature girl. I'm putting that out there because that. Yeah.
Brigid Moloney
Lots of times a great.
Karina Jambrak
So I, I think.
Brigid Moloney
I feel like very like. How does that work for you.
Karina Jambrak
Do you. I think it does calms my nervous system. Like I literally think it just calms me whenever I'm walking in nature or it's mainly the ocean to me. I would say like, I if I walk to the beach or along the beach, I'm just near the ocean. Something happens and I'm just instantly calmer.
Brigid Moloney
And it's close to the beach, isn't it?
Karina Jambrak
Yeah. So I can walk to the beach from my place, probably like a minute walk. And whenever I go for a walk, I literally head straight there. Like, I'm not. I'm not walking in the other direction. That's where I want to end up. So I think once I get to the ocean and I've even seen it with my kids, like, they'll be crazy.
And I'm like, we're going for a walk to the beach. And as soon as we get there, everyone's karma. So I just think it has an effect on people. It's yeah. It's amazing. So and I feel very lucky.
Brigid Moloney
That you need to. Yeah, yeah. We're super privileged to live this coastal lifestyle that.
Karina Jambrak
We definitely.
Brigid Moloney
Need to grow up like that.
Karina Jambrak
Yes. Like I've never not had it. So it. Which is.
Brigid Moloney
Yeah.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah. I'm very lucky. Yeah.
Brigid Moloney
So has it, does that mean it's taught you that you need to do that reset often so it like it heals you and it brings your nervous system down?
Karina Jambrak
I think as I get older, I realize it's a need for me, because I can get quite frustrated and cranky at times, like we all can, I guess. Especially after having kids, like, I just feel like it's that reset that I need. Yeah, definitely.
Brigid Moloney
To say. Yeah. Okay. And tell us how you came to be a full time artist.
Karina Jambrak
So I've always created. But, back in the day, I was more of a designer. I mean, I started selling artworks when I was younger, but I never took it completely seriously. It was more of, like, a hobby for me. So then I was a designer. But then. Yeah. Basically, we had just one year that was complete shocker in our house.
Like, my husband couldn't work because he had house surgery, and I end up losing my job. And then I think Covid was about to hit, like, I don't even know what happened. There was just an accumulation of stuff. And I was basically stuck at home with two kids. Couldn't find a part time job anywhere. So I just started drawing and creating.
I ended up getting a part time job, but I think in the back of my mind, I was like, I just I wasn't enjoying it anymore. I just wanted to be at home with the kids and have like a part time hustle kind of thing. So while I was working, I started setting up my website and kind of just creating things that I thought I could sell.
I mean, I started with kids doing kids artworks because I thought that was a Azazel. Then. Yeah, I don't know. Yeah. So I.
Started doing kids artworks. And. Yeah, basically started selling online. I ended up doing okay. And then I think I just said to myself, like, if I can do three consecutive months of earning what I'm earning at this job, then I'm going to leave and and fully commit. And so I think it was about six months in and I did like then I did three consecutive months and earning the same amount as my part time job.
And it was kind of a no brainer for me. So yeah, turned it into my full time business.
Brigid Moloney
Yeah. Which is a testament to you. That's epic.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah. I don't do you? I look back and I don't actually know like how I did that, but, yeah, I did just kind of all fell into place. I don't know, sometimes the universe just throws your bone, you know, maybe when you're just down and out so long, I don't know, it just. It worked.
Brigid Moloney
Yeah. It was divine timing, I think.
Karina Jambrak
I think so, yeah.
Brigid Moloney
I remember when it was Covid too. You probably started the exact right time. So you started just pray to God.
Karina Jambrak
I actually think I did. And I talk about your.
Brigid Moloney
Style and your business. And then when everyone was stuck inside doing the interiors of their houses, they were looking for artwork and you just exploded onto the scene that you had started, like just before, which I think was.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah. Yeah. So I started like, I think it was May and I had a couple of good little wins. I like, I think I got the Juggalo towards the end of the year and, and I got picked up by Greenhouse Interiors, and there's a few little things that kind of spread my name a bit further. And then after that, Covid came.
But by then I think my following was growing, and I think it just all worked in the right timing. Then once people were stuck at home, they were getting shown a lot of my artwork from all these different avenues, and I think it just worked. Yeah, that's.
Brigid Moloney
So.
Karina Jambrak
And.
Brigid Moloney
And now.
Karina Jambrak
We'll. Was very good. It was good. Good timing. I think it was just timing. So,
Brigid Moloney
Do I sound delay too? So I just sorry if I, you're a bit delayed to me.
Karina Jambrak
So, No, you're not delay to me. I think that's okay.
Brigid Moloney
Yeah. You're a little bit glitchy and delayed. Just a heads up if I.
Karina Jambrak
Sorry. I'll wait.
Brigid Moloney
I was gonna say. And so. Yeah, I'm. I'm familiar with your work when you were a designer. So years ago, because that was your whole career, and we we worked together a little bit, and we also went to university together, actually doing design.
Karina Jambrak
We did.
Brigid Moloney
And we did. And it seems like your style then was a lot more print and patent based. And so this could just be as a result of working in the design industry. But you did these like beautiful motifs and patterns, almost like henna inspired. And you could kind of put them in any kind of scape. And now looking at your work, it just looks so inspired by the natural world.
It's like beautiful rolling landscapes and jungles and sunsets and every animal under the sun. Yeah, and it seems like quite a big shift into kind of this new subject matter. And so I was just curious to know what motivated and inspired such a change in, in your work. Was it just that you all of a sudden had freedom as a full time artist?
Or like how we drawn into the natural world, like so intently all of a sudden? Or was it not sudden?
Karina Jambrak
So originally, I think, when I was younger, I always wanted to get into fashion. And I love textiles and was always influenced by like vintage fabrics and things like that. But I think there's always been an underlying part of nature in my work. But I think I was more I used to focus more on the little details.
So like, you'd see a lot of, like I'd get inspiration from fish scales or like, feathers or like just those little kind of intricate details that kind of create. I've always been obsessed with patterns in nature. Like I just it's something that I'm just always obsessed with and how that affects, like even commercial design and things like that.
So I think back in the day, I was more focused on those little things. But I also, yeah, I don't know, I think it was getting older. I don't know, just kind of going through life. I don't think anyone ever has one theme of work through their life. But yeah, back in the day, I was definitely heavily influenced by what I'd seen in the fashion world.
But I have always also loved nature, so there are elements of that in my original works. And then as a designer, I mean, you get a job, you go into textiles, you're basically made to copy things. The samples, like it's it's not really your own work, let's be honest. Like you. Yeah, yeah. You really I mean, of course it has your flair to it, but I don't think it's ever really what what you would create for yourselves.
And being in the design world for so long, you kind of lose what your own style would be, or you don't have time to grow it because you're constantly being told what to do or what is right and what is wrong with what you're designing. So, I think just with. Yeah, losing everything kind of made me grow into what I really wanted it to be because I wasn't designing for anyone anymore.
Like, and I really, I kind of did not care what anyone thought at that point because I was like, I'm so sick of everybody. I'm sick of working for people. And they were telling me how to design like I was over it. So I was just like, I've got nothing to lose as well. Literally, I had lost everything like we had.
Brigid Moloney
What stopped you from not starting your own design brand or company? Like, why art?
Karina Jambrak
Because we had $. And I had literally just borrowed of my mom for us to pay our mortgage. And.
Karina Jambrak
So I had $. We had borrowed money off my own to pay our mortgage. Starting a product based business. Obviously, you need a lot of money to put into it. I knew that was not happening for me. So I actually thought, like, what can I do where I need $ to start? And it was, I'm just going to do some art and I'm going to print on demand.
So like when the money comes in, that's when I'm going to print it and it goes out. So I'm literally I had I didn't need any money to start it. But in saying that now, I really do want to get into a product based business and I'm still scared, but I think, yeah, now's the time for me.
So I'm going to develop into that soon, hopefully. But yeah, yeah, I didn't do that at the beginning.
Brigid Moloney
Yeah, but that sounds like a very smart move, actually. And a really sustainable business model.
Karina Jambrak
Yes, exactly. Yeah. It was just easy. It was just something that I could start without losing.
Brigid Moloney
Yes. And when you say just rewinding a little bit, you said you lost it all in that gave you I guess free rein to what's the word you were saying. There is no one telling you what to do. You just had full freedom to create what you wanted. But what, what happened there that when you say you lost it all, what happened exactly?
Karina Jambrak
Well, I had lost my job in the grand scheme by then. I had.
Brigid Moloney
Did you have two kids by then?
Karina Jambrak
Yeah. So by, I was actually pregnant with Beau, so I would have been three. And I lost my job straight after maternity leave with Beau, so he would have been, like, just about to turn one. So, yeah, I think after you have kids, you're like, actually, I can do anything. If I can do that, I can do anything.
So I think it gave me a bit of grant and like, I was just sick of relying on someone else to pay my wages. Like, I just. And I'd been so let down more. So Davo, that I just didn't want to rely on anyone anymore. I wanted to create that for myself. And what I saw. My creative use, like what direction I saw my creative vision going in.
I wanted to really just knuckle down on that because I think if you're true to yourself and you kind of just hone in on that vision that you have, that's what pushes you to go further because you're not pretending.
Brigid Moloney
Yeah.
Karina Jambrak
That makes sense.
Brigid Moloney
Are there? Yeah, definitely.
Brigid Moloney
And I guess there's different challenges with with both avenues. So what's, what's the hardest part then about being like doing what you do for the most challenging part?
Karina Jambrak
I'd say the most challenging part is like waking up every day, having to back yourself, because there are days where you're like, what am I doing? Like, I can't do this, and there are other people doing it so much better than me. And and all those thoughts just go in your head and then you start creating and you're like, I hate it, I hate it.
Like, I've literally done months of creating where I've just not come up with anything that I want to use, and it just gets so frustrating. And you're like, maybe that was just a one off moment where I did well, and maybe I actually can't do this. So it's that like literally pushing yourself and being like, no. And pushing through those doubts.
I think that's the hardest part, because you don't have someone being like, that's that's bad and that's good, and you should do this like, there's no one here. Oh my God, I can't ask anyone if what I've done is good, all bad. Yeah. So it's backing yourself?
Brigid Moloney
Yeah. You can't bounce off anyone. So how do you get the motivation to back yourself? Like, what do you do? Like, do you have little mantras or like, things on the wall? Or is this a selftalk like a really positive, strong selftalk? Or.
Karina Jambrak
I don't know, to be honest, and I think it always comes in waves, like I think there's so many factors into making you feel good and making you feel like you've got this, and then other days you just feel like you don't have it. I think it is like getting a good night's sleep, having good food, like if the weather's good, I'm more often than not, like it's just all these little contributing factors.
And I think riding the waves of where you feel like, it's like you're just like, okay, I actually feel like shit right now. I just need to ride this wave rather than fight it. And it does come back. Like the creative juices do. Start flowing again once you've given yourself that time. That's probably when I will go for a walk to the beach.
Or I will just like, give myself that time to just do nothing and I think that's the way it comes back without pushing it so much.
Brigid Moloney
Yeah, just kind of surrendering to it.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah, definitely. Yeah.
Brigid Moloney
And so when you're painting and drawing and artmaking, are you referencing a lot of imagery and photography from the natural world, or how do you paint your paintings?
Karina Jambrak
I do, I definitely do look at. Yeah. Some like a bit of both, I would say. So I do look at reference images for like proportions and things like that. Like especially when I'm doing my animals and all those kind of things. But I try not to look at reference imagery too much because then I feel like it affects what I'm doing.
And, and I'd kind of like to rely on my own brain to come up with random things. I like to create worlds that are not real. I want them to be these kind of like dreamscapes. So if I look too heavily at reference pictures, I feel like it actually hinders my work. When did I answer your question?
Karina Jambrak
Yeah, you did.
Brigid Moloney
Because, you definitely did. I, because I find that when you're trying to get, like, proportions, right? Or like, for example, I'm doing a painting for my daughter at the moment, which I've been trying to do for three years.
Karina Jambrak
Like, here's me. Yeah.
Brigid Moloney
And it's a yeah, it's one painting. And it's like, if three cheetahs on a rock and I've created like the composition and she cheated that her favorite animal. But yeah, look at this image of the bloody cheetahs for so long and just trying to get like it's not fully abstract. So I'm trying to get the proportions right. And, just looking at them and like they're still like they're so amazing, so like strong and stoic and I feel like I'm connected to the cheetahs.
And I've agonized over this image for so long that I almost feel like I got this relationship with them. And so I was just your drawing. I know it sounds so weird. You know, when you're like, you're like, okay, the that the back is like twice the length of the neck and you just trying to, like, use your eye and your pencil, like, you know, using a lot.
Karina Jambrak
I'm, I don't know. And sometimes like, I'll do the whole drawing and I'll be like, oh my gosh, why did I make the animal so big? And then, and then that whole drawing is really. But yeah, I don't know. And but then there's also a beauty in the that it's not perfect. So I think it is finding that like middle ground of like it can't look like it's got a head ten times the size of its body.
But also there's a beauty in it not being perfect. So yeah, he's finding that that middle ground I guess. Yeah.
Brigid Moloney
Well do you feel like you have a connection with the natural world then through these reference images and like, through your, making, like you've said, you're not outdoors a lot like your studio is in some.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah. So I've always lived in the.
Brigid Moloney
City, still getting transported there through another realm, like through the art.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah, definitely. Yeah. So, yeah. Living in a city is not the most inspiring place to live. Let's be honest. So I feel like I do create these worlds to kind of take myself away. And they do. But art has always been something that I've done. Like even as a kid, coloring I would color like for hours on end.
I would complete like entire coloring books, like page to page to page, and I could just zone in that zone and it would literally calm everything inside me. So I feel like that mixed with the nature and elements now, it's kind of just it's a way for made it completely bring myself down and zone out of real life.
And just like I feel so grateful that I have this outlet, to be honest, I think about it all the time. I'm like, what other people do. Like, I know people exercise. That's not my jam. But you know, I'm really grateful I've got it because it's definitely my thing. Like, I feel I just couldn't couldn't not do it.
It's just something that I have to do.
Brigid Moloney
Yeah. You've got this deep connection to it.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah. And it literally does. It takes me away from where I am.
Brigid Moloney
Do you.
Like that. Need for an escape. Are you often feeling like you want to physically go somewhere else and like get out of the city. Like do you not get to do that enough.
Karina Jambrak
And that's definitely I'd love to travel more. I'd love to go away. But unfortunately, we can't do that as often as I'd like. So, yeah, I think I definitely do use it as a form of escape. Like, even in my business, because you've got so many other things that you need to do within your business.
Karina Jambrak
And sometimes I get so bogged down with, like, the emails or the invoices or the marketing and all these things. And like last week, I was like, I, I just needed time to just like create without any brief or boundaries or deadlines. I just, I wanted to sit down. I just wanted to create. And I actually think I was just such a happier person by the end of the week just for doing that, because I gave myself that time.
Yeah, I definitely used it as an escape. I mean, that's why. Yeah.
Brigid Moloney
So when you sit down, like, is there any form of, like, fear or like procrastination around sitting down and doing the work or it's just you've got a different attitude. You're like, this is what I need, and you just go for it. Like, how do you feel? Start a session in the studio to when you leave. So just said you were saying you felt a lot better.
Brigid Moloney
But sometimes when.
Karina Jambrak
I well, sometimes I don't feel bad. Exactly.
Brigid Moloney
Yeah.
Karina Jambrak
To that. Yeah. And frustrated and, Yeah. So again, I think it just depends on the mood and it depends on if I can get myself into that zone. Like if I'm calm within myself and I get myself into the zone, it all happens a lot better. But if I'm forcing it, it actually can work in the opposite.
And I get super frustrated. And then all that doubt comes pouring in, and then you just like, oh, it's not working. So it does go both ways, and it does depend on all those factors. Like I said before, like if I've had a bad night's sleep and I've got a deadline and I've been eating bad food and I haven't gone out in the sun for a while, it just is like, not good.
But I think that's just life, right? But then you have those days where it's amazing and you're like, actually, I've got this. Yeah, I know to set ups and downs.
Brigid Moloney
And describe for us what it's like getting in the zone with when it comes to,
Karina Jambrak
I don't know, I think it's just like establishing that sense of calm. Yeah. I don't know what to do.
Brigid Moloney
You just vanish like.
Karina Jambrak
Oh, definitely. And I'm more of like, like, I find my jam in the afternoon. And when you have kids, that just is not good because you've got to go pick them up from school or you got to take them to activities. So then I'm like, once I found my groove, I'm like, oh, now I've got to stop stopping.
And starting is the worst for me. Like, I don't know if that's like a is that like an ADHD thing? I have no idea. But I hate stopping, like when I'm on a roll. There's nothing more frustrating than having to stop because I'm like, oh, it's just going so well. Like, I need to need to do this all night, you know?
Because then tomorrow I'll come back in.
Brigid Moloney
Capitalize on this feeling.
Karina Jambrak
Yes. Because then the next day I come in and it's just, like, not working for me. I'm like, God, if I could have only stayed yesterday. But yeah. What was the question now I forgot new question.
Brigid Moloney
Oh, just describing for anyone listening what it's like being in the zone, because I feel like being in the zone. Like some people get it when they're doing sport or when they're reading. And you obviously sink into this state when you're artmaking.
Karina Jambrak
Yes.
Brigid Moloney
But maybe some people don't actually get into it, like, I don't know. So I just was wondering if you could explain, like from a personal point of view, what what it's like. But I think you did that. Yeah.
Karina Jambrak
I do feel like there are some artists, I don't know if that's this is an outside perspective. I feel like there are some artists that can just churn out the work, like they are just turning day after day. I just cannot do that. Like it just doesn't work. Do you have.
Brigid Moloney
A high volume of work like.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah, I do, you.
Brigid Moloney
Have got I was thinking when I was relooking at all your art, I was like, Jesus, she's done a lot, like in a just a few years.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah, I have it's true, I don't know, I work in waves, so yeah, I'll, I'll kind of like, do the juice for a collection when, like over the holidays I did. I planned out three collections within a week. I don't know, it just all came to me. But then, like, there will be times where I can't create a single thing, so I don't know, it's just those lost waves just brought in waves.
Yeah.
Brigid Moloney
Well, do you think you've learned a lot about yourself then, being an artist? Because it sounds like you have to be quite in tune with yourself, your body, your routine in order to get this output and to get in the zone and find that creative flair.
Karina Jambrak
I do think as I get older it is a female thing. I don't know, as a woman, as I get older, I'm more in tune with my body. And I'm more in tune with, like, not fighting it because I just know that fighting it is a waste of time. So I think, yeah, I think I am more in tune with at all.
I think,
I don't know, getting older. I don't know if I'm wiser. I'm definitely not wiser. But maybe more into it then maybe there's more intuition there. I don't know what it is.
Brigid Moloney
Do you think, does that transfer into intuition, like with the natural world as well? Like, I know you're not physically outdoors a lot. I kind of touched on this before, but do you feel like you're a part of, like, this bigger energy, like when you're in flow, other things are in flow, like it's is higher kind of consciousness.
Like maybe your, with nature or is it.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah, maybe, I don't know, I'm very like my moods, heavily dependent on the weather. I've said this before like, I don't know what it is, but if I get a good dose of sunshine and, like, it's not dark and gloomy, I am like, good. I'm good to create or as, like last, like, we had so much rain and I feel like, I don't know.
Yeah, maybe that's why I needed that way of just like getting rid of all my timelines and barriers. And I just kind of sat down and let myself do whatever I needed to do. But if it if the weather's warmer and it's nice and sunny, I get more stuff done, like, I'm way more productive and I'm like, is that a thing?
Brigid Moloney
Yeah, yeah. I remember when I lived in London and I did Two Winters.
Karina Jambrak
Brigid Moloney
And I just couldn't do a third. I think I would have had to have bought one of those lamps that comes on when the sun is supposed to come up, because the sun doesn't come up and say.
Karina Jambrak
I couldn't or I couldn't do.
Brigid Moloney
It like I never was getting the the vitamin day of vitamin B injections to like, get your body like it's an actual disorder.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah, exactly.
Brigid Moloney
And or depression disorder. No, I've got that right. It's a sad a sad day. Yeah. Seasonal something disorder.
Karina Jambrak
No way.
Brigid Moloney
From not getting enough vitamin D from the sun.
Karina Jambrak
Yes, it's a thing.
Brigid Moloney
Karina Jambrak
It's a thing.
Brigid Moloney
Like I feel like a lizard sometimes. Like when I feel the sun.
Karina Jambrak
Oh, my God, saying.
Brigid Moloney
I haven't had it, like, hit the skin. And it's like that little tingly, burny feeling, but it's just like.
Karina Jambrak
It's like you're recharging. Yes.
Brigid Moloney
Yeah. It's like. Yeah. Someone plugged you into the.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah. It's like, if I can, if I get some sunshine in the morning, like just my coffee cup and sunshine on my face, I'm just like happy. Happy as can be. But I can't, I can't with the rain and the gloominess. Right. So yeah I guess nature does.
Brigid Moloney
Affect me that I'm with that raincoat.
Karina Jambrak
It's actually sunny here today. I'm looking outside but very windy. It's I don't know. That's not my day and I don't like wind. I just like the optimal optimal sunshine day.
Brigid Moloney
No variation.
Karina Jambrak
No.
Karina Jambrak
What did I want on? How are we going so far? Do you think?
Brigid Moloney
Oh. So good. My only way that it's glitchy sometimes, when you like. Sometimes you're saying something wholesome, and then it'll go. It'll pause and then it'll go through it, like. And then it will say what you're saying really quickly. I must be the internet connection. Yeah. I don't know if the other one was doing that, but we'll just.
Karina Jambrak
We'll you can always get through saying you being.
Brigid Moloney
Like you're not that far away though. Like, it's not like you're in Canada.
Karina Jambrak
What is that got to do with the internet?
Brigid Moloney
So like I did.
Karina Jambrak
That was such a jolly comment. Holy moly. Oh. I did.
Brigid Moloney
I did it ever so with a friend of mine in Cuba and a friend and like, someone really far away. And it was just.
Karina Jambrak
Like the time to like.
Brigid Moloney
I couldn't. Yeah. Because you would say something and then I'm trying to, like, bounce off you, but then you would hear it a second later and you'd be like, what?
Karina Jambrak
And oh yeah, sorry. I do tend to keep talking to.
Brigid Moloney
No, no, you're you're doing great.
Karina Jambrak
What's he going to say to the black cockatoo? We haven't done that. What I love most about Penny.
Brigid Moloney
Oh, yeah, I forgot to.
Karina Jambrak
Oh, my favorite artist. Yellow tailed black cockatoo.
Brigid Moloney
Tell me about the spirit animal, the yellow tail.
Karina Jambrak
So, actually, I don't think we're allowed to say that because that's an indigenous reference. So you can say something a term in another way. Because I got in trouble for writing that on one of my post.
Brigid Moloney
On the word spirit animal.
Karina Jambrak
Oh. Because it's an, okay, like an indigenous term cultural. It's like cultural appropriation.
Brigid Moloney
All right. Yeah. Sorry, that's a bit derogatory. We'll cut that out.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah, it's kind of that made me say, like, what animal inspires you the most so far?
Brigid Moloney
Yeah. Okay. So tell us what animal. So you draw lots of animals in your works. Which animal do you feel most connected to? And inspires you the most?
Karina Jambrak
Definitely. As a kid, I was always, I would go into the backyard, like, whenever something in my house was. Annoyingly, I'd go into the backyard and pet my dog, and every time there would be like yellowtail, black cockatoos and all the way like, oh, this is beautiful. And you just watch them and you listen to them and it literally, like takes you away.
Brigid Moloney
Sorry. Can you just.
Karina Jambrak
Say.
Brigid Moloney
Just say from yellow it cut out again.
Karina Jambrak
So just like start again.
Brigid Moloney
You just from the backyard and the dog.
Karina Jambrak
Okay. Sorry. Ever since I was a kid I would like whenever I get.
Brigid Moloney
You good.
Karina Jambrak
Ever since I was a kid, like, whenever there was stuff going down at my house or, you know, my parents or annoying me or whatever, I'd always go outside with my dog, and I. I sit out there, and we used to have this huge trays at the back, and they would always be yellow tile, black cartoons.
Karina Jambrak
So I it ended up just being they seemed to me like whenever something's going bad, I always look for them or whenever something's like whenever I'm unhappy. If I hear a yellowtail black hole to where I say one, I'm always like, it's going to be a good day. Like it's all going to be okay, like some rays. And that sound and their presence literally like, fills me with, I don't know, it's like a safe feeling.
Karina Jambrak
It's so weird. I don't know what it is. Maybe I'm going to come back as it that that's my dream to come back because of the yellowtail black cockatoo that is me. Like, I just want to be noisy. I want to be, like, playing around. Like they're so playful and noisy and like, fun. I know right?
Brigid Moloney
You just described yourself.
Karina Jambrak
They're also really gracious, which I definitely am not. But, you know, can dream, I just love them, I love them, it is something about them. We actually saw one this morning, so I've taught my kids now to look out for them because I'm like, guys, come outside like, you have to stop what you're doing, come outside and like, we'll look at them and like, I came.
Karina Jambrak
But then this morning we went outside and I was like, I can actually hear a black cockatoo, like, is there one here? And it was literally in the tree just outside our house. And I was in awe. She's like, I've never seen one that close before. Like it was right in front of us. And I was just, like, staring at us, like sitting there like guys, today is going to be a good day.
Karina Jambrak
Should I say I'm going to be holding Brigid? Yeah, totally. So cool. So this is our thing now? Yeah. Maybe I forced it on them. You know, I think it's a good thing.
Brigid Moloney
Well, maybe they could start to look out for their own animal that they've got a connection to.
Karina Jambrak
Maybe they could. I'm just going to force. Not on them.
Brigid Moloney
I think we've planted the seeds and now you've kind of made them aware of. I have that too. But I think a lot of people have that with birds. There's something about.
Karina Jambrak
A lot of people have it with birds. Yeah. Kookaburras.
Brigid Moloney
Kookaburra. I have it with kookaburras.
Karina Jambrak
Brigid Moloney
And but any species like like the other day get this I lost went for some of the beach. Just had a towel in case no phone quick dip. Got out of water, grabbed my towel, walked a good m to the top of the the sand where the path started and realized I dropped my keys.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah, and it doesn't sound like something you would do. No. Yeah. Classic.
Brigid Moloney
Classic.
Karina Jambrak
Bridget is, just such a rash, such a flap.
Brigid Moloney
And so I'm on my hands and knees. I'm, like, freaking out. And it was like, p.m.. It was a really light swim. So I knew Luke was at home with the baby, and the girl's, like, just trying to do, like, dinner.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah, a.
Brigid Moloney
Bit. And I was like, oh my God, I'm missing the whole. Like, he's going to be like, where the hell are you? Yeah. And these osprey like, these big osprey had a big wingspan like came in, just paused. Obviously it was looking for food, paused and hovered and then just kept going. And I was.
Karina Jambrak
Like, I lost.
Brigid Moloney
My keys because I gave up. I was like, I searched for half an hour, and then I was walking to this guy to ask. I was going to ask him to borrow his phone. And as soon as I saw the pause, I thought, all the cars will be right under there. And then I walked over there. I was like, Bridget, that is so extreme.
Brigid Moloney
That's all going to happen. But I turned around and kept walking to the guy and looked down and I wasn't even looking, searching by then and I would just look at my feet.
Karina Jambrak
And I was that's.
Brigid Moloney
Like like just the side.
Karina Jambrak
It's a sign. But I also that the universe, just the universe just delivers. So don't you reckon, like, if you're looking for it, it actually does deliver, but you've got to be looking for it. Yeah.
Brigid Moloney
You've got to be open and receptive.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah, I fully agree with that.
Brigid Moloney
Which I think as well. If you're like, do you agree? If you're comfortable within yourself, like you seem like a really good place in your life now, like I've known you for forever, and you've found your flow like you've found this thing that it just filling your cup up so much and you've got like a beautiful family and a lot of other great things in your life.
Brigid Moloney
But I find when people a comfortable in themselves, then they're open to those signs and signals. But when someone's walking around with a bloody chip on their shoulder, better. I know we all have moods, but when someone's like perpetually in that state, you're not seeing those signs or patterns. Like do you think you that you were saying it's because you're older.
Brigid Moloney
But I think it's also because you've just found this thing that just gives you so much joy.
Karina Jambrak
And I maybe I do feel really fulfilled. I think like again, I just think I'm so lucky. Like, I don't know many people that genuinely love what they do every day. Like I think it's there's less people loving what they do them than more. So I do feel lucky. I do also think it's like a personality trait, like some people that just go, go, go.
Karina Jambrak
It's just not my jam. Like, I'd love to stop and take in all the small details and like, even my husband's like, I've never, like, actually stopped to look at stuff in nature. It's just I have I've met you because I'll always be like, oh my gosh, look at the inside of this flower. Like it's so pretty. And like, I would have never stopped to look at that flower before.
Karina Jambrak
But yeah, it's pretty. So I just do think that the personality so, are. Yeah, I think it is a combination of things. I think at the moment I'm in a good spot. I don't know how long that will last or or, but. Yeah. I have always definitely been looking to nature for me, so, I don't know, maybe it's personality thing.
Karina Jambrak
I don't know what it is.
Brigid Moloney
It could be motherhood as well. Like just opens you up. You know, becoming a mum just kind of strips you raw a little bit.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah. You have no choice but to surrender, right? You just can't do that.
Brigid Moloney
So you kind of like, maybe not the first year that you have a baby, but maybe after that, I just feel like, I don't know that notion of, like, opening yourself up, being, like, aware of the world. Just comes in a bit more thick and fast.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah. I agree with that. Is it because you've also experienced like.
Brigid Moloney
I'm an artist. Sorry. Yeah.
Karina Jambrak
Nice ego.
Brigid Moloney
And then what were you going to say.
Karina Jambrak
No no I don't care about that.
Brigid Moloney
I feel like you were going to say something very good then because you've experienced trauma.
Karina Jambrak
I was going to say because you've experienced literally bringing life into the world like it's crazy. And it definitely it's just that, like, I remember walking around the shops after I had the kids and I would look at other mothers and I'd just be like, oh my God, like, we did that. Like, you did that too. And I did that.
Karina Jambrak
And it was kind of like these unspoken like, it's crazy to go through, I don't know, it's like otherworldly. So I think once you do go through that, you kind of are more I think it's the intuition. I don't know, kids, you're in more in tune for sure. With the world, and it opens you up to like, appreciating everything a lot more, I think because you're like, wow, that's actually crazy.
Karina Jambrak
Yes. Yeah, yeah, I think it I.
Brigid Moloney
Don't think I've ever been more grateful. Like, I think I struggled with being grateful before, if I'm completely honest, not proud of that. But since having kids.
Karina Jambrak
Oh, are you back that since.
Brigid Moloney
Can you hear me?
Karina Jambrak
I just heard that little, But now I can hear.
Brigid Moloney
Oh, I'm just losing. Oh, there you are. You're phrasing a bit, Yeah. Since having kids, like, my level of gratefulness is just through the roof, like, it's just.
Karina Jambrak
Brigid Moloney
It's crazy, like, nothing. Sometimes nothing can bring me down because of, like, how grateful I feel that they're there. Healthy and happy.
Karina Jambrak
Brigid Moloney
It's hard when they're, when they're sick but when. So when they are healthy and just like oh like.
Karina Jambrak
Let's embrace this moment for two weeks because next, in the next two weeks. Yeah. This. So again that's why it's so grateful. Yeah. Yeah. No but I fully agree. Yeah. And I think it's.
Brigid Moloney
I like my horrendous births and pregnancies. I was like I, I'm when I'm not sick I'm just like it's a good day.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah I totally totally do.
Brigid Moloney
You hope to inspire your kids and be a role model for them with all of your art making?
Karina Jambrak
I hope I inspire them to just chase whatever it is that fills them. I think that's all I want for them now. I'm getting emotional.
Brigid Moloney
Oh. I love, love some tears. Will you talk about that a lot on your Instagram? Like to your community, which is huge. Now about like you you show up every day and it's for them. Maybe that's that motivation we were talking about before. Yeah. It's hard days. Yeah. Like I think I got to do this.
Karina Jambrak
I think, yeah I don't know. I do do it for them. I also do it for me. I'm a much nicer mum when I'm happier and fulfilled. But I want to show them that. Yeah, I think they're only just grasping the concept that I'm an artist. Like, I think, Yeah, they're just grasping that. I just want them to do whatever makes them happy.
Karina Jambrak
Like, I don't want them to, like, if a desk job makes them happy and, like, doing that fulfills them, then go for it. I just, like, literally their happiness is all I want. So I'm like, I want them to. But I also want them to try hard and work hard. So there's been yeah, I'm always like, whatever you want to do, you've just got to give it your best shot.
Karina Jambrak
And that's what, like my parents literally always said to me, like, you could do anything.
Karina Jambrak
Very and very noisy. Right? Like, yeah. My parents used to say, like, you could do anything, but you've got to give it your best shot. Like, you can't be half hearted going into that, so. No.
Brigid Moloney
Why were you like, why did that bring up so much emotion just a second ago? And you were like.
Karina Jambrak
Oh, can I actually tell you why I had a bad morning? And she. She's got a lot of anxiety, darling. Anyway, she had a bad morning. And like, I've sent her off to school unhappy like she was all teary in the car and I'm like, oh, breaking my heart. So, I just want them to be happy. Yeah.
Karina Jambrak
Oh, is that what.
Brigid Moloney
That was made?
Karina Jambrak
You know how you finally the on off today?
Brigid Moloney
Can't look like.
Karina Jambrak
She's crying now. It's payback. Say it's all of us. I mean, when you see your kids unhappy, it's the worst feeling in the world. Like, I don't care what they become when they're older, I don't care. I literally just want them to be happy, like. And I don't want them to be blotches, obviously. Like, I want them to try hard at whatever they do.
Karina Jambrak
Not blood drives me that whole lot of things. But you know, the blood job you can't like, you know, just lie on the couch every day. But also, I want you to be happy.
Brigid Moloney
But they'll be times when they're not happy. Like we have to accept that as parents. And of course, like, feeling that pain.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah.
Brigid Moloney
I think it's teaching them to be resilient as well. When those harder times are there.
Karina Jambrak
Definitely. Yeah. So resilience. Confidence like you just want them to love themselves I think that'll get you through anything. If you back yourself. And that's what I'm trying so hard. But it's hard I mean and kids are main life. Kids say the main thing. So, you know, going back to that every day at school can sometimes be a bit hard.
Karina Jambrak
But yeah, we all went through it, but it just got to try and instill that selflove.
Brigid Moloney
It's awful. It is. And that that lack of control, like when you send them to school and you're like, oh, please be strong enough.
Karina Jambrak
Oh, like I also she's like started tearing up in the car on and then I didn't have a moment to like, help her. And she just like hopped out of the car and was like, oh my gosh, what just happened? Oh, you know. Oh, because she thought she forgot a library bag, but she actually didn't. Was in a bag.
Karina Jambrak
Just had this wave of like, panic rooms, darling. Anyway, I look, whatever they feel, we feel. I guess it's that's one of the things it comes with. So now I sat here and I'm like, oh, I can't have a good day now until she gets back. But you know, it is what it is.
Brigid Moloney
I mean, you'll probably yeah, she'll probably see you in the afternoon and be like.
Karina Jambrak
A great day. Totally fine. Totally, totally, totally. Yeah. And we sold the book or two and everything. I was like, why is, like, it's supposed to be a good day. Yeah. So. You don't have to put that potty in. That was really like, I don't even know what's happening right now. Maybe I'm doing my period.
Brigid Moloney
I feel like I could talk about that for hours. Like, that's the thing. I'm like, oh.
Brigid Moloney
And so you've done a lot of work with some charities and different organizations and, and I was just curious to know, like, how do you go about choosing them and why is it important for you to do that? Because you're obviously carving out a lot of your time. So I'll just touch on some of the things you've done.
Well, you you typically do these beautiful, huge paintings like you did one when it was the , floods of where I live. And I remember thinking, oh, like someone from Sydney is dedicating all these time and energy to raise money for my community here, which is at the other end of the state, but kind of, and then at the moment you've got something going on with the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital, is that right?
Karina Jambrak
So yeah. So I've done a few, a few little things, I guess I don't like to like, get heavily invested into like political stuff, but sometimes things just will like crackle at me and I can't like it's not lost on me that I have like over , followers. Like, that's an amazing platform. I don't think, you know, there's many people that can that have that power to bring all these people together.
Karina Jambrak
And initially I did the artwork for the flood relief just because I just didn't know how else I could help. Being so far away. And it was kind of breaking my heart like it was so devastating. So that was just like, what can I do? That something like a little bit of help. So that was that was pretty cool, actually.
Like, I end up raising over six grand. I think, which is crazy. And I don't know, I then I did like a raffle for the floods, for the next floods because I thought if everyone just buys, like a $ ticket, like I said to my husband, I'm just going to do a $ ticket, like, what's $? And then whatever I raise, I'll just give.
I ended up raising like, which I didn't think about at the time, which cost me in taxes, actually ended up having to pay because I took all the money through my website. And I look that was a bit of a lesson learned, but I ended up raising over grand. Which is crazy. Like the fact that I can raise grand in the matter of a week to help.
That's is just crazy. So I think because I have this platform, I feel like almost it's my way of giving back and my way of helping and really it doesn't. It's not affecting me that much to help someone else. Like I love doing it. I think giving back just makes you feel so much more fulfilled. I try and get my kids to do little things like that, like we've had little cupcake stalls and things like that to raise money, to raise money for the koalas.
The koala sanctuary. So I don't know. I just think it's important. It's an important part of life to give back. And because I have this platform, I don't say it well, I wouldn't like. I feel like it would almost be selfish of me not to. Yeah.
Brigid Moloney
Yeah. You've got, like, a bit of an obligation. Almost. Well, not a lack it.
Karina Jambrak
Well, I just have a bit of a bit of leverage, I guess, that not many people have. And if I can put it to good use, then why not? Yeah. I feel like I would love to do so much more if I had. Yeah. I always say if I had a bit more time at night, we don't really need more time, but I would love to do a lot more.
I think as I get older I, I hope to do a little more.
Brigid Moloney
Yeah, I think that's really impressive. And, yeah, it just really highlights what a good egg you are, because a lot of people wouldn't give back. And I feel like you're really quick to respond. That's what I've noticed. Like, you don't even think about it. You're just like, right, I need to help and I need to do this now.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah, I think, or that's just me personally can't climb policy. But yeah, I think I could not, but I like to help. Yeah.
Brigid Moloney
And do you think, like do you think art plays a big role in culture and society and like, how do you play a role in that, being the artist?
Karina Jambrak
I think definitely art plays a huge role. I don't know how impactful my artwork is. In regards to society, but I know other people doing amazing things and spreading messages through art, which I think is incredible. I don't know, I, I'm just, I create, to spread joy. I think that's just all I want from it.
Like, I've thought about it and I'm like, I'm not really I'm not the kind of person to push, like political views or, I don't know, I just it's not me, really, but I just do want to spread joy. I think if someone can look at my artwork and it brings some happiness, or it reminds them in some moment, or it creates a sense of calm in their in their room, then that's my job done.
I think that's my impact on society, because that's what it does for me. So I just want to spread that to other people.
Brigid Moloney
Yeah, well, you have to be authentic with what your purpose and motivation is. So there's no point in trying to be the artist that you're not.
Moving to a space that isn't, like, connected to you because, yeah, there's people it's really personal. Like if they're putting something up in their house or their bedroom, they're looking at it every day. It becomes like a part of their psyche. They're just constantly looking at it. And that's why I love how you depict all these beautiful natural environments and the colors you use and the color palettes that just so gorgeous because they just they really do transport you and.
Yeah, I think that.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah, I think thank you. That's really sweet. Yeah. For. Yeah.
Brigid Moloney
I don't know the process that you look to that like are the ones that have, influenced your work the most. Are they those big, powerful political artists or are they.
Karina Jambrak
Not really. No. So they, I, I love artists for different reasons, I guess. Like, I'm obsessed with Ken Doan. I just that it's his it's his way. The way that he does it is what I'm obsessed with. Yeah. Like, I'm not necessarily obsessed with the product. Well, they're amazing, but I'm more obsessed with him as a person and like, his process.
And he's like the way he's tackled the industry and the way he's kept himself going for over, you know, how many years it's just I just love him and he's so blatantly himself, like, he's got these rules at the moment. And I just like, I crack up like he's not trying to be anyone. He's not. He's just himself.
Like, he'll be like, oh. And then there's that blue spot there. I don't know why I did that, but, you know, he's just he gives no fucks. I love it, I actually love it. So I love him for that. But then there's other artists that I'm actually I love their work. Like Henri Rousseau is probably one of my all time favorites.
I so he is French. He was French, but he was actually quite poor and he never left France. But he used to create these nature scapes, like just from his brain. Like he would just transport himself to these jungle dreamscapes, I guess. And he wasn't like he wasn't famous when he was alive. So I think only later years was when his work came to the scene when, younger artists, like, I think it was like my taste or something.
And his work to be amazing. So I love that. I love that he was like creating another world to himself. Like he's born in extreme poverty, I think. And yeah, he used that to escape and he only does that when he retired. So, I love that. Yeah, I love his story and I love his works. I love Georgia O'Keeffe just because I think she's a legend.
Yeah. And I love her works. I love her landscapes. Yeah, I think that's about it. I, to be honest, I try not to look at too many artists work because I don't. I feel like that just then. It just overwhelms me, I think. And then I lose what I'm trying to do in my own work, and I get kind of, there's that imposter syndrome coming back again when I see too much of other people's work.
So I try not to, to be honest, too much. But, yeah, definitely have my all time faves. Yeah, yeah.
Brigid Moloney
Yeah, I can relate to that. And do you think your art is a form of subtle activism in a way. So, you know, we're in this climate crisis and there's a lot of angst around it. And, you know, we we do this and this and this and I was looking at your work thinking, it's kind of similar to this podcast.
Like, I don't want to, start a podcast which tells people what to do, how to live their lives, how to be sustainable. But I just thought if if we can share stories about women who have these connections with Mother Earth, and maybe that will just inspire people to care for it more, almost like subconsciously. And when I was looking at your work, I was like, I wonder if it's like similar.
Like, I know I've never asked you this before, but, you're representing this one and only planet that we live on.
Karina Jambrak
And you sent it very ideas and ideals stick for of it and I.
Brigid Moloney
Yeah, yeah. It's beautiful.
Karina Jambrak
Like it's I think like I don't I never thought of it as political, but I do think humans are evil. Like, I think we're awful. We just like, damage these world so much for our own benefit. Like, it's just disgusting. And I do I like to create worlds that don't show any of that. Like, I just love them to be perfect and and pristine and colorful and.
Yeah, I guess that's my that's where it plays into, like, that sense of calm. Again, I don't know if it's a political agenda, but maybe, maybe subconsciously I am. Maybe, maybe it's a big rude finger to everyone who's damaging it. I don't know.
Yeah.
Brigid Moloney
I just I feel like I could just inspire people to take a little bit more care.
Karina Jambrak
Hope so.
Brigid Moloney
The good people to. Yeah. Because you're like, hey, that'd be nice. Like, our planet is beautiful.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah. Stop fucking with it. Yeah.
Brigid Moloney
I think you kind of touched on this before, but When you're creating your art, are you. Really conscious of the viewer and who's buying it? You know, it's a commercial enterprise for you.
Karina Jambrak
Now that's an interesting slash.
Brigid Moloney
Creative dump of just what's in your head in your mind. And you're like, fuck it. If someone wants to buy it, they can buy it. And if not, all good.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah. So originally it was the fucking notion when I first started, when I had people following me and I was like, I've got nothing to lose. Like I'm just going to do what I want and whatever you can like it. You don't have to like it, take it or leave it kind of thing. And then as you grow and you get more people watching, it is definitely part of me now, which I hate, which I'm actually trying.
So I went through a phase where I was like, what are people going to buy? So I'm just going to do that. I'm going to do the pastel colors, I'm going to do the easy to match with your furniture kind of thing. I'm going to do that because I think that's what people want to buy, like I did.
And in an Australian native inspired range, purely with of your in mind, it's not something that like and I hate to admit that actually, but it wasn't something that that I wanted to do. It's not where I sold my brand, but I did it because I was like, I know people are going to like this, but then, yes, it's called wildflower.
It's my native, collection.
Brigid Moloney
Oh, wait, sorry, I just lost to.
Karina Jambrak
Oh, sorry, it's called wildflower. It's my native collection.
Brigid Moloney
Is that, And.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah. Yeah, and it's definitely my best seller.
Brigid Moloney
You know, like drawing natives.
Karina Jambrak
I never had, like, a desire to. Let's just say that before everyone started saying you should do natives. And then I kind of was like, oh, well, that's what people want. Maybe I'll just do that. And I was like, I love it. I think it's a beautiful collection. And and it is my best selling collection. But then after that I was kind of lost.
I was like, okay, well, what do they want next? And then I didn't know what anyone wanted next. And then I didn't know what to do next. And actually the works that I did after that collection, I think I my worst works that I've ever done, because I was so thinking about what everyone had wanted, that I kind of lost myself.
I lost my rhythm. I just, I don't know, I feel like it all kind of went downhill after that for a bit, and I don't want to be doing that like I even though now my income solely relies on this, which does not. You know, I think about that a lot because I'm like, I actually do need to sell artworks.
I can't just, you know, we need it. But also I think, yeah, but I think when you do lose your true like what you want to do when you kind of lose that. I think that does translate. And I think people realize like, I don't know, there's not that love behind it. I think it translates and I think you don't do as well.
So I think if you just stick to what you do and don't worry about anyone else and just stick to what you want, your vision, I think those people will find you and it'll be more of a genuine connection, because then you can keep that going because that's what you want to do, rather than trying to please people.
I don't think it works in the long time. Maybe one collection that worked, but I don't think, yeah, like, I don't know. And then you're always just chasing that. You're chasing what other people want. And I just don't think that's sustainable. I think and it's in genuine. I just think people say that.
Brigid Moloney
Yeah.
Brigid Moloney
I, I love that because I like that you're thinking of it as a long it's a long term game for you. You're like, yes, I had this killer collection as well. But to replicate that, you know, I think that's what I like about you becoming an artist. Now, you know, the industry that we were both in the fashion industry, the textile industry, that's what that embodied.
That journey can give people what they think they want and need, and maybe they really don't.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah.
Brigid Moloney
And if the brands like, they weren't being true to like their founders and where they started and I think so many brands lost their way. Yeah.
Karina Jambrak
Especially as you were old. Yeah.
Brigid Moloney
Yeah. Exactly. Once the brand gets.
Karina Jambrak
Because as it gets bigger you have more costs, you've got more, you're in more places. You need that say you need that little black dress because that's the dress that's going to sell. You can mix it with little hints of the real brand, but that little black black dress has to be there because that's that's what's going to sell.
Right? So it's kind of yeah, it's hard it's hard to be commercial yet stay true to yourself yet design for the masses or create for the masses. Like, I don't know, it's hard. It's definitely. Yeah.
Brigid Moloney
Something the pendulum swung too far into that destructive realm with the fast fashion. I mean, that's why I will say, finally, it's like we can't keep this up. I just destroying the earth with these poorly made clothes. But the model was wrong, so I like that. Now your your model, your business model or your creative model, you've learned from that and you're kind of like, this is sustainable.
Brigid Moloney
This is what's going to give me longevity. My family, my art.
You know, and that's going to give you the best shot at success.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah. Well.
Brigid Moloney
So well, you know, this girls.
Karina Jambrak
You in years. Yeah, exactly. Touchwood. No, I am, I am, very. Yeah. I am very aware of, like, not making a huge impact on the air in saying that. Now I want to go into a product based business and it is weighing heavily on my mind. So I'm trying in different ways to make sure that, yeah, it is sustainable.
Brigid Moloney
Tell us about.
Karina Jambrak
In some.
Brigid Moloney
Areas next venture or like the.
Karina Jambrak
Next venture. I kind of want highly aware at the moment, especially with the economic downturn or whatever you want to call it, that, is a luxury item. And, I like I get it, like not many people buy, it's it's a one off purchase. It's, you know, you know, continuously buying and I totally I'm aware of that.
Karina Jambrak
So I did want to make my art just a bit more accessible. And I also kind of want to go back to that love that I had for wearable, or fashion. So, yeah, I, kind of trying to merge both worlds at the moment, but it's taken me a while because I just want to get it right.
Karina Jambrak
I don't know if it ever will be right in doing that. I'm kind of wasting a lot of time. But, yeah, I.
Brigid Moloney
Think you're wasting time because it's better to put out, like, a well fleshed out concept than something that's half assed or not thought through.
Karina Jambrak
Yes. So there there are factors that, I have to get right for me to start, for my own conscience, I guess. So I am researching a lot of manufacturers, a lot of processes, a lot of materials. Yeah, there's a lot that I'm thinking about. Rather than just rushing and creating, like, whatever I can. But yeah, I don't know.
We'll see how it goes. I'm, I'm kind of torn with it there. Yeah, I think it.
Brigid Moloney
Well, that's exciting though. Like, if you've got the power to create something that really resonates with you.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah, I think just. Yeah, I don't know. I don't know that. Sorry. I don't know if it resonates as much as like I'm just trying to make my art more accessible, but yeah, I don't even.
Brigid Moloney
Know. Yeah, I like that. Like, I, I looked at your, post other day that you had with your good friend Sam, and, and, you know, she owns what's her sunglasses paired.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah, yeah.
Brigid Moloney
And just the photo, you had this really bright shirt and, like, you had all these print patterns on, and it really caught my eye, and I was like, She used to wear that stuff all the time, like it was.
Karina Jambrak
So I not.
Brigid Moloney
Vibrant and I did too. And now all I wear is bloody beige. You can see.
Karina Jambrak
Now I know I think about this a lot. What happened? It's kind of cool. Yeah, well. I think we also lost, I don't know, time to go to vintage stores anymore.
Brigid Moloney
Like I think that was it.
Karina Jambrak
We were. So we used to troll. Oh, the bears. You know, but,
Brigid Moloney
Again, you were wearing art, though, in a way, like this cool print. I thought, oh, that's like. Yeah, it was like a little bit of a rebirth. I mean, I know it was just one photo that I looked at of you, and it just like sparked my interest. I was like, oh, yeah, we all went a bit. I guess when you become time poor, you just can't put as much.
Karina Jambrak
I think that's what it is, to be honest. And also in the morning. Yeah, in the morning I have a good ten minutes to get ready. I don't have time to, you know, put all these cool things together anymore. But I should, I should put more effort into it. But night dressing bright. I hope it comes back.
I hope bright colors come back into houses. I just want like it. So, so, And it's so nice to be surrounded by color and and nice prints and, I don't know, we're all in a minimal world right now. I think it hangs.
Brigid Moloney
Around Scandinavian vibe. Yeah.
Karina Jambrak
Neutrals. Linen.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah.
Brigid Moloney
I tend it's a vibe.
Karina Jambrak
Neutral linen.
Brigid Moloney
And is there is there a special place that you like to go to to kind of connect with nature? I know that you love is a boomerang. I remember at one point you were like, I just want to move to Boomerang Beach.
Karina Jambrak
Totally. I think anywhere near the beach to me, to them. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. I don't really have one special place. I think, Anywhere near the beach where there's, like, a lot of natural landscapes. I just love, like, I love going south because it's so green, and then the water is so blue, and it's just this contrast thing, like it's beautiful.
Karina Jambrak
But for me, anyway, I need the beach. I think is my thing. It just brings me so much joy.
Sorry if that wasn't a great answer. So I like creating for kids or adults more. You got that. Hey.
Brigid Moloney
Oh yeah.
Brigid Moloney
Yeah. Do you like, creating artwork for kids or adults more?
Karina Jambrak
I originally started creating for kids because I feel like there's less judgment.
Brigid Moloney
Just cut out. Can you start again?
Karina Jambrak
Oh. I originally started creating for kids because I feel like there's less pressure or, like, less judgment. I don't know what it is. I just feel like creating the kids is, like, a lot more fun than trying to do a serious art.
Yeah, and I do. I love, like, I just love drawing animals. And from.
Brigid Moloney
Sorry. Have you moved away from doing kids art or you still doing it? Or you did a recent collaboration with.
Karina Jambrak
Adele.
Brigid Moloney
Who was a was at it is with the Dolphins and the pastel blues.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah. So I did a recent collaboration with Adairs. And I did a children's book, and I think I've done a quite a lot of my work, I think ends up in kids rooms. Yeah. Maybe as I get more older and more serious, maybe I'll take it a bit more seriously and do some other ones. But I actually, I don't know, I enjoy doing the kids are more.
It's more fun. Yeah, yeah. And I know a lot of adults love it and they put it in their houses anyway. So it's the little empty little and big kids. Yeah.
Brigid Moloney
And what do you think you've learned about yourself the most since becoming like, wait, let me rephrase that. What? Since stepping into full time art profession, what have you learned about yourself?
Karina Jambrak
What I learned about myself. I think I've learned that I am quite resilient. I think I've learned that I can overcome a lot of things that I probably don't know that I knew that about myself. I think I always, I don't know, I, I kind of relied on other people to push me out of. Funks, I guess, like in the past.
And I think I've learned that I actually can do that within myself now. I think what else I learned think I've learned that I like working for myself. And I really if I don't have to do I want to go back to working for anyone else ever again. Again. Fingers crossed.
Brigid Moloney
Because we might be pulling beers at the Clearasil before, you know, again.
Karina Jambrak
You know, I mean, they were good times, but.
Brigid Moloney
Yeah, good times.
Karina Jambrak
I don't know, I think I've learned that I'm. I'm capable of a lot more than I thought I was. Yeah. That's that's awesome I don't know.
Brigid Moloney
That's what it's brought you.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah. Well I think you've got no choice but to sort things out on your own. When you're on your own you're like okay well I'm going to figure out how to do this because it's no one's going to help me do it. So, I think it pushes you to department. No. Yeah, exactly. I've, you know. Yeah. I've coded,
Brigid Moloney
Give you so much confidence.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah. I don't know if the task, I guess, is giving me confidence. Yeah, I don't know. I'm. I'm always doubting myself, you know. So. And of course. Yeah, it has given me. Well, I sometimes forget, but I, you know, it's it's the otherwise and I, sometimes I forget the. I've done it all on my own. There.
Brigid Moloney
Last question was.
Karina Jambrak
Bad. That was bad. What. No, it wasn't, I was that that was great answer.
Brigid Moloney
Just I hadn't written this one, but I just wanted to ask, and we don't have to put it in if you haven't thought about it, but, so you you social media are a lot to like, I guess. Market yourself and your art. What's what's your relationship like with the good old social media? Because knowing you, I feel like how you write on there is really different to who you are.
Brigid Moloney
When I'm chatting to you, just like your persona, like, I guess the core of it's there, but,
Karina Jambrak
Is it?
Brigid Moloney
Yeah. It's a.
Karina Jambrak
Oh, that's bad. Well, I maybe I'm a bit dark and rough around the edges in real.
Karina Jambrak
No filter. Oh, yeah. Look, I try and portray as honestly and genuinely as I can on social media. I mean, I used to love it because, back in the day, it was my only means to selling my work. And it's an amazing way to reach so many people that you can't reach otherwise. As I am going on, I'm not loving it as much.
I'm finding it a lot harder these days. The rails don't come naturally to me. And I just hate wasting my time recording myself and things like that. Like, sometimes I just don't like. I like to create in my own zone. I don't like the thought of being recorded or like someone watching. Like, I just hate that. So that part I hate actually can't stand that part.
But I love it because, like, without it, like I would not have this business. So, respect to it, but also it's hard work sometimes. How do you think I portray myself? How could a question be?
Brigid Moloney
I think, It's so honest. I could.
Karina Jambrak
They. What's the.
Brigid Moloney
Yeah. Like you go, you go deep.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah. I feel like when I'm on my own, I'm not quite doing. Yeah.
Brigid Moloney
Like, maybe I'm just thinking that we're in our reckless youth like, because I'm so emotional. So I would go deep and you'd be like, Brigid, that's.
Karina Jambrak
And then,
Brigid Moloney
Such a dork. And then you would just like doing these really heartfelt posts. And it was, like, very stripped back. And I was like, oh, this is pretty cool.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah, it's weird because, like, when I create and when I'm in here and I'm on my own again, there's a lot of thoughts going through my head. And that's when I probably am doing this posts. And it's kind of like a little diary for me. I guess. Yeah. And also, I'm not great with my words. I feel I'm much better.
Like, I always can translate better on paper, even like in my artworks. I'm literally like, all my feelings are coming out on that paper. Whereas like to speak to someone, I don't think I'm very articulate with my words artfully, okay, on this podcast, but, yeah, I don't know. Maybe it's can I feel more comfortable, maybe just because I feel like no one's watching, but they are, I don't know, it's this weird conundrum, I guess.
I know I.
Brigid Moloney
Feel like I feel a little bit like that with social media. Like you. Yeah. If it's like a diary post.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah.
Brigid Moloney
Because you want it to represent you. But then, like, lots of people are writing it and no one would ever read your diary.
Karina Jambrak
So it's like, yeah. And everyone's like, what is she going on about today? Like, what if I'm having a bad day and I just spill my heart out? And then I say, someone later and I'm like, fine. But in that moment, I was having a moment, I don't know. Yeah.
Brigid Moloney
It's just a series of moments.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah.
Brigid Moloney
No, I like it. I like how you're portraying yourself on that. I like that it's.
Karina Jambrak
Oh, I hope so.
Brigid Moloney
And but that's the thing people wouldn't know unless they know you. That's what I find. Like, when I look at Instagram accounts, I'm like, do I really know, like, someone that I don't know in person personally?
Brigid Moloney
And I'm looking at what they post and what they write. It's like how is this. You never really know though. Like there's no way of.
Karina Jambrak
Knowing and you kind of always think would I be friends with that person. Who would I be friends with that person. I don't know. We similar. We're not. It's kind of like its own little world isn't it. I guess I don't know if you can can establish what they, whatever they want to think of you.
Yeah. No, I'm really. No. And like you said, it's moments. It's like little glimpses. It's not definitely not.
Karina Jambrak
Like say yeah, I live sound genuine, but it's definitely not real life. No way. Like, there is so much that goes on that is not on that end.
Brigid Moloney
Yeah, exactly.
Karina Jambrak
You choose what you put on there, you know.
Brigid Moloney
Yeah. It is edited isn't it.
Karina Jambrak
All right. Yeah. And very,
Brigid Moloney
Is there anything else you want to share with us? Have you got any other cool collabs coming up? So you've got your.
Karina Jambrak
Your mum's.
Brigid Moloney
Brand that you're working on is a brand new clothes or accessories or.
Karina Jambrak
It's going to be, range of accessories. Yeah. It's is and will every day things so with prints on them. But I'm just figuring out what I want that to look like at the moment. So. Yeah. Yeah. And again, just trying to really hone in on what it is that I want to put out into the world.
Yeah, yeah. Other than that, I am working on some wallpaper that I've been working on for, like I said to, I'm literally like six months delayed with this deadline, which is awful. I just can't get it to where I want it to be for some reason. And that has been frustrating me like to no end because I just can't get it.
I don't think, any I, I think I'm getting there, but, you know, small companies do.
Brigid Moloney
I do.
Karina Jambrak
I say long?
Brigid Moloney
Yeah. They're they're being very lenient.
Karina Jambrak
Six months.
Brigid Moloney
But do I hear a little bit of perfectionism in there? Is that.
Karina Jambrak
No. Look, I don't know if it's perfectionism or if it's.
Brigid Moloney
Yeah, maybe it's inclined. You're pretty hard on yourself, or you have a high standard, like you hold yourself to a high standard.
Karina Jambrak
Like, I like to think I'm a get shit done person, but if it's not where I want it to be. Yeah, it's not. It's not being raised like I can't if I'm not completely happy with that. And it doesn't need to be perfect, it just needs to be. It just needs to get to that level where I don't think it's at right now.
Karina Jambrak
I don't know. Is that perfectionism? Yeah. I don't know what it is.
Brigid Moloney
I think it's a mix of you also working by yourself and not having one to bounce off.
Karina Jambrak
I think.
Brigid Moloney
So if there's one body of work that you've been agonizing over for ages.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah, it's nice to kind of bounce off someone. It's true. And, you know, the more you look at it, the more you find wrong with it. So I don't know what's worse. I probably should have just done it and gotten rid of it. But yeah, now it's been sitting here for a while and I'm looking at it all around me right now, and it's now it's driving me crazy again.
Karina Jambrak
But yeah, I don't know if it's going global.
Brigid Moloney
Yeah.
Karina Jambrak
Yeah. They're an American, slash Australian company. So yeah, I think it will be great once I get it going. Yeah. I also, I think I'm putting a lot of pressure on it because I see it as kind of like a stepping stone into the accessories that I want to do, some kind of trying to establish that for myself, that that vibe and that look that I want.
So maybe that's the added pressure that's on it. So yeah, I don't know. Yeah. Okay. I mean it's not rocket science. We're not surgeons here. Oh so it's all going to be okay.
Brigid Moloney
I good things though. Try still doing important work and auction. So you've got an.
Karina Jambrak
Oh, it's already been. So it was last Friday. Yeah. So that did really well I think they raised about $, I think. Oh wow. This is great. And yeah.
Yeah. Embrace your cousin. Are you going to click on donation? Okay I know, yeah. What a small world. World class they do.
Brigid Moloney
She's on, season one. I did an episode with her because she's the. Yeah, the foundation vet at the bio Bay Wildlife hospital. Yeah. Do you speak to her at all?
Karina Jambrak
I did not, but we did connect on social media. Once we realized that we both knew. So, yeah, very small
Brigid Moloney
World. Well, just bringing us together.
Oh. All right. Well, thank you so much for your time.
Karina Jambrak
Thank you. And we finally got it done. We've been planning to do this for a while, so I'm glad we finally know. I'm glad we finally did a.
Brigid Moloney
Yeah. No. Thank you so much for your time.
Karina Jambrak
And thank you for having me soon.
Brigid Moloney
I love you. Bye. Okay. Don't hang up.