MADE BALBAT

Born on October 12, 1960 in Tallinn. I graduated from the Estonian Academy of Arts in 1988 with a degree in graphics. I am a member of the Estonian Artists’ Union, the Estonian Free Graphic Artists’ Association and the Estonian Graphic Designers’ Union. I have worked as an art teacher at Tallinn Art School (1990-1997).

At the moment I am a freelance artist, I am mainly engaged in graphics and illustration. I have illustrated several children’s books for TEA and Petrone Print. All recent illustrations are digital. My latest work is a freelance series based on classic fairy tales. I hope that the pictures offer the joy of recognition for both big and small.

Digital technology fascinates me with its playfulness. I use a digital tablet and a special digital pen to create a picture. I compile the image layer by layer in Photoshop, in addition to drawing, I also use photo collage elements. Digital graphics can be printed on both paper and canvas, in different formats. Print run is limited, all works are numbered and signed.

My illustrations have been exhibited in several exhibitions in Estonia, Russia, England, Poland, Latvia, Finland, etc. I have also participated in the Tallinn International Illustration Triennial and the Wiiralt Prize exhibition.

In addition to children’s books, I have designed numerous works of fiction for Eesti Raamat. The best-known book series I have designed is a Nordic novel.

I currently live in Kehtna, my studio is open to everyone. All pictures in the exhibition can be purchased.