One of Levitan's most notable projects is "Photo Invasion", where he takes pictures from random people on social media and adds his own drawings to make surprising and imaginative stories.
To explore Levitan's artwork from the "Photo Invasion" series, make sure to visit our previous articles. You can find them here, here, here, here and here.
Bored Panda reached out to Levitan to learn more about him and his creative process. We were curious to know what sparked his artistic journey. The artist shared that ever since he was a kid, art has been his "best buddy". "I was just ten when I figured out that drawing wasn't just about doodling – it was my jam, my future.
My artistic adventure's been one wild ride, with pit stops in all kinds of creative outlets. Sculpture, cartooning, high-brow conceptual stuff, even blending animation and video making – it's all added color and texture to my personal art patchwork. That's why I can't box myself into one category. Rather, I'm a multidisciplinary artist. The reason for this is simple: I'm in love with creativity, in whatever form it manifests.
In addition to my 'Photo Invasion' project, which gained widespread attention, I've also displayed my conceptual artwork globally. It's hung out in some pretty cool spots like London's Barbican, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago and São Paulo Museum of Modern Art."
According to the artist, inspiration for his art is rooted in the everyday. "It's the world as I experience it - from the hustle and bustle of the office, the relentless waves of consumerism, to the quieter moments shared with my beloved dogs or the intricate relationship with my daughters. Every experience, and every emotion, serves as a catalyst for creativity. All I need is to stay alert, observe calmly, and find the perspective that either brings humor to a subject or provokes thought about it.
My trusty notebook, a constant companion on my travels through life, captures these sparks of inspiration. It's filled to the brim with scribbled thoughts, observations, and rough sketches, forming a tangible snapshot of my ever-changing perspective."
Art comes with its own unique set of challenges, proving that it is not merely a flow of ideas. As Levitan creatively described it himself - "art creation is kind of like a jam session." For the artist, the hard parts and the fun parts of the creative process are jamming together, feeding off each other. For him, ideas usually just "roll in", all smooth and easy. But when it comes to shaping those ideas, trying out new things, and making them better, that's when things become challenging.
"Picture this: an idea pops up, all abstract and floaty, just a whisper of a thought. Turning this into a cartoon or illustration can be a real grind, testing my skills and creativity to the max. But the payoff - seeing that idea come to life, transforming that fuzzy thought into something real - is downright addictive. That's why I love illustration. All it takes is me, a piece of paper, and a pen to bring an idea to life and keep my creativity flowing."
"My illustrations reveal the contours of my inner self. Each piece reflects the layers of my personality - my thoughts, my sense of humor, even my political convictions and worries. If you're keen on understanding the intricate workings of my mind, simply check my work. My art is a visual autobiography, providing a glimpse into who I am. While this may sound idealistic, I naturally keep some personal secrets and certain darkness hidden. I would say that illustration functions more as a form of therapy for me. It's when I become deeply involved and truly find my element."
Currently, Levitan has seven personal book projects queued up, eagerly awaiting a publisher who is interested in discussing potential publication avenues! "In the interim, I'm navigating the waters of self-publishing, using it as a platform to assess public response to my work. Furthermore, I'm on the lookout for an illustration agent, someone who could facilitate a broader exposure of my work in the marketplace. Relying solely on social media for visibility can be quite an uphill battle," the artist added.
To stay in the loop with Levitan's latest work, be sure to give him a follow on Instagram and explore his website!
