46 Watercolor artist | APRIL 2019
huge soccer fan, but documenting
the tournament gave me insights
into how engaging soccer can be.
I like to work in series. It avails me
to take the time to go beneath the
surface, researching an issue. It helps
to add depth and meaning to a body
of work—and, in the course of doing
so, I come upon new ideas.AH: Share more about your idea
that soccer is a global unifi er.
IA: Soccer has always been the biggest sport, globally.
Huge investments are made to set up and maintain
soccer teams. Each player becomes a star based on his
or her style of play and personal branding.
Countless times, I’ve seen strangers and people of
diff erent beliefs bond over their mutual love for the
game. It always fascinates me how much value has
been built on a simple round object that skilled people
kick around a fi eld.AH: Describe your creative process behind a painting.
IA: I come up with an idea fi rst and gradually bring it to
life. I start by expressing my feelings visually through
sketches, so as to monitor the idea’s organic progression.
I like to experiment with a variety of materials ranging
from traditional to nontraditional media, as I’m inter-
ested in creating new experiences for my audience andCLOCKWISE
Kylian Mbappé—
France (watercolor
on paper, 24x18)Harry Kane—
England
(watercolor on
paper, 24x18)William Troost
Ekeng—Nigeria
(watercolor on
paper, 24x18)