IMAG[IN]E: Dessy Georgescu

Dessy Georgescu is a third-year Illustration and Animation student with dreams of conquering the industry of fashion illustration. If you’ve got a keen eye, you might just find a couple of her murals pop-up over the coming year around the City West campus and the Hawthorn railway station. In this interview, Tanner Muller sat down with Dessy to discuss her love for nature, David Attenborough documentaries, and her pet blue-tongued lizard.

You’ve contributed plenty of content to Verse in the past, but for those who might not be aware, could you describe the sort of art you do?

I would consider myself to be a fashion/ botanical illustrator. I absolutely love mixing these elements together. For example, I’ll sketch something that has come straight off the runway, but also add my own floral prints to it. I’m very fascinated by the natural world, especially its intricate details – if you look closely enough at a flower (or anything for that matter), you notice features that you would have missed without taking the time to really observe it. My career aspiration at five-years-old was to be in the fashion industry, so sketching clothing and print designs is how I’m able to fulfil that.

What motivates you? Where do you find inspiration?

I have three favourite fashion illustrators that really inspire me: David Downton, Megan Hess and Jessica Durrant. They’ve all worked with iconic labels, such as Chanel, Tiffany’s and Dior, and that’s what I aspire to be one day. These artists work in other mediums too, and I feel like that’s such an important asset to have in the industry. You have to be multifaceted and can’t just stick to what you’re comfortable with.

I also adore the David Attenborough documentaries. In Natural Curiosities he speaks about the death’s-head hawkmoth, which has this skull pattern on its back. So, I started a bit of an internet spiral when I looked for images of them online. I guess that’s the sort of approach I take with most of the work I do. I become so enthralled by something that I just naturally start to invest my time towards it. The creative process flows a lot more for me that way too.

When did you discover your passion for art? How did it all start for you?

Ever since I could pick up a pencil, basically. Back in kindergarten, I always sat myself at the painting table and created something on those thin scraps of paper. I also used to sculpt little figurines and dresses out of Play-Doh. My parents have always encouraged me to follow my artistic passion, even though all of us were unclear on where it could lead me. Thankfully, I have a bit more direction nowadays.

You’re in the developing stages of creating your own children’s book, ‘Meet Blue.’ What’s it all about?

Well, I have this pet blue-tongued lizard called Blue, who’s been with me for about seven years. A friend of my dad’s found him in his toolbox as a baby, and ever since I’ve kept him in my home. He’s my little baby dragon, you know. Although he isn’t as affectionate as I would like him to be, I just love having him around. When I tell people that I have a pet blue-tongued lizard, a common reaction I receive is how afraid they are of the animal. So, with the book I want to let readers know that they’re not as harmful as they seem. The native blue-tongue is actually a really calm creature. ‘Meet Blue’ hasn’t been released to the public yet, but I intend on taking it to a publisher once I’ve finalised everything.

What sort of advice would you give to yourself during your first year at university?

I would tell myself not to stress out so much and to stop thinking about what others might want from you. It wasn’t until recently that I discovered my own illustration style. I spent so many years trying to emulate an idealised version of what I thought everyone wanted from me, that I lost track of myself and the approaches I wanted to take. When you’re working on something you’re passionate about, a piece of yourself becomes attached to it, so the viewer is able to recognise the emotion, and intent, behind your work. So, it’s better to follow your own direction and your own voice.

Interview conducted by Tanner Muller

Illustrations by Dessy Georgescu

This piece was originally published in Edition 28