We spoke with Iulia to get a taste of her creative world, as we’ve been savoring her incredible drawings with both delight and a touch of nostalgia. Her work feels like a diary written in colors and lines, where everyday emotions are transformed into mouthwatering playful stories. Watching her illustrations is like revisiting childhood memories, yet with a deliciously fresh, witty twist. Enjoy discovering her universe as much as we did.

1. WHAT WOULD MAKE YOUR SOUL SING? WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?

Creating art I am proud of and seeing people enjoy it. It’s the best feeling in the world, and it’s addictive. Also, the sea, the people around me, summer, good food, and long trips.

2. A CHILDHOOD STORY THAT ANNOUNCED THE CREATIVE PERSON YOU ARE TODAY

I was always a dramatic child. I once colored one entire kitchen wall while my parents were in the other room. While confronted, I said that drawing makes me feel better. What could you even respond to that?

3. BEST CONTEXT EVER FOR INSPIRATION WAS

Getting my heart broken, and falling in love.

4. THE PROJECT YOU LOVED MOST

My playing cards “Joc de Carti sau Carti de joc” (/“Playing cards or Cards playing”). It was my bachelor’s project, so I was fresh out of the uni assignments “chains”. Meaning it was the first big project I made that came 100% from me. It was like it finally came, the moment I was studying for all these years: being able to put something out in the world that is mine, like “here it is, here is what I can do”. It still holds a special place in my heart to this day, and it always will.

5. THE PROJECT OTHERS LOVED MOST

“Jurnal Culinar” (“Culinary diary”) is a very personal project that resonates with a lot of people. It combines illustrations of food with “recipes” that are actually journal entries. I love watching people interact with my art, reading what I wrote, and reacting to it. My favorite part is watching someone at an art fair get a postcard from me, and gifting it to their significant other, and seeing how they both react. It’s probably one of the best feelings in the world, the fact that my work can be a part of their love language.

6. THE BEST THING ABOUT ROMANIAN CREATIVITY IS

I think what makes Romanian creativity special is the fact that it’s a mix of raw authenticity and adaptability. I think Romanians draw a lot of inspiration from unfiltered experiences, both bittersweet and humorous at the same time. The adaptability comes from being able to “make something out of nothing”: small budgets often lead to inventive and unconventional solutions.

7. BEST STATEMENT OF ROMANIAN HUMOR

“Bine și așa rău”. It’s a bit self-deprecating, a bit self-aware, yet very resilient, just everything Romanian.

8. ADVICE FOR INTERNATIONAL HEADHUNTERS, RELATED TO ROMANIAN CREATIVES

Don’t underestimate us, and don’t expect us to work for free. Our work is valuable and takes time, effort and soul. Also, just keep looking around, because there are so many unknown artists in Romania who deserve international recognition.

9. BEST PLACE IN BUCHAREST

Any specialty coffee shop where I can sit (uncomfortably, probably, let’s be real) on a tiny chair placed on the sidewalk and just people watch, sipping coffee which later turns into a cocktail. Start with places such as OTOTO, Sloane, Barton or Origo.

10. BEST PLACE IN YOUR COUNTRY

For me, the best place in the country is Cluj. Maybe it’s personal attachment due to past experiences, maybe it’s actually a great city, who knows. I just know I love it. Shame it’s not doing as great as it should regarding the art scene.

11. MOST DISTURBING CLICHÉ ABOUT ROMANIA, IN THE MEDIA OUTLETS OF THE WORLD IS

A cliche I hate is the one that depicts us as helpless, clueless, and insignificant. Which is so far from the truth, because in the last few years since the revolution, Romania has made huge, incredibly fast progress.

12. ROMANIA SHOULD BE KNOWN FOR

The talented people it has, the beautiful places that it hides, and the resilience that characterises each one of us! We treat everything with some sort of humor, so we’re stronger than we seem.

13. YOUR VIEWS ON SPIRITUALITY

I think I’m one of the least spiritual people in any room I walk into. I’m a weird mix: artist, yet extremely rational. However, I think that our purpose in life is community, and to create things with our hands. I think that moment of creation is the closest we’ll come to God.

14. YOUR VIEWS ON MONEY

Money is made to be spent, but wisely: I hate overconsumption such as the one SHEIN encourages.

15. AN INSPIRATION SOURCE YOU RECOMMEND FOR A YOUNG CREATIVE

Just surrounding yourself with creative people is a source of inspiration in itself. This is something I miss about being a student: spending my days in creative spaces, immersed in a community of creative minds. Of course, I still do this now, but a bit less. There are art fairs—fantastic sources of inspiration—there are museums (visit one in every city you travel to), art-related events, and creative people everywhere. And don’t forget to watch films, listen to music, read books, and daydream.

BIO:

Currently a master’s student in the Graphics Department at the National University of Arts in Bucharest, Iulia Verzan is a young illustrator who has captivated audiences on insta, with her playful series celebrating the deliciousness of food, cards or just everyday objects tied to familiar brands (Ojo, Andy-). Her posts mix nostalgia, tongue-in-cheek humor, wit, and joy. Blending illustration with text, her work is drawing inspiration from everyday experiences and emotions, rendered in a playful, lighthearted way.

The article is part of the #YoungLadies series, recommended by RSM, empowered by Ursus.