The story behind Studio After Cigs is fascinating, and it starts with the adopted cat who’s the inspiration for creating the character of a grumpy feline with a sassy cattitude, PowPow. Bored Panda reached out to the artist behind the series of illustrations to ask more questions about their work. We wanted to know how this unique source of inspiration led the author of the series into the world of art. We found out: “The grumpy and sassy cattitude of my adopted cat sparked everything.”

We were wondering how the self-taught artist initially approached learning and developing their artistic skills. The illustrator told us: “I learn at my own pace. Key milestones include discovering new mediums that resonated with my emotional approach to them, in a much funnier way.”

In our previous interview, the artist mentioned that they’re constantly pushing boundaries and exploring new techniques. We asked if there were any specific techniques or approaches they’ve recently explored. We learned that: “There’s no specific technique in the painting, I always go with the flow.”

Lastly, we were curious if any of the artist’s works hold a special place in their heart, and if so, what makes them particularly meaningful. The illustrator answered shortly: “Every piece holds a special place.”