Galice KALONJI - illustrator among other things
I’m a passionate, self-taught artist with many talents. Come on, let’s chat a bit on the sofa.
About me
I’m a freelance illustrator from Haute-Savoie. I love colors, people, discoveries, and pigs. A little about me:
- I grew up in Megève in Haute-Savoie, I was born in Geneva, Switzerland, and I’m mixed race and have dual nationality (so there you have it).
- I completed five years of higher education in ecology and animal behavior, but I only worked in that field for two years.
- I never wanted to choose between my love of nature and drawing, so here I am today, working a job where I can draw leaves and wild boars all day long… Hehe.
My background
I have a master’s degree in behavioral ecology and wildlife management, because I wanted to work in species conservation in the Luberon. I then worked for two years as a research engineer in animal behavior and welfare.
I grew up in Haute-Savoie, in the Arve Valley, near a ski resort. I’ve been drawing since I could hold a pencil and I’ve never stopped. While waiting to find a job that satisfied me, I worked in several fields, including:
- volunteering at a bird sanctuary in Spain
- bookselling at Fnac
- skiing at a ski resort
- waiting in a small local restaurant in Haute-Savoie and at a mountain refuge in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland
- salesperson in a board game shop and bar
I also travel a lot, throughout France and Europe, and sometimes a little further afield. I’ve made a habit of sketching what I see in my travel journals.
My values
My work is based on a few simple principles
Kindness
I will guide you with gentleness and simplicity, so that our collaboration is accessible and pleasant.
Customization
I listen to your wishes, I understand what you’re looking for, I add my own touch, and it results in an original piece that reflects your personality. My goal is for you to leave with a big smile and a unique drawing.
Authenticity
My illustrations are entirely handmade. I draw with my pens, my brushes, my tablet, and that’s IT. You’ll never see the use of artificial intelligence to create illustrations here.
The local area and the human connection
I prefer collaborating with artisans and independent printers to co-create your comic book and print projects. I started drawing for my clients thanks to my job as a waitress in a small restaurant, so for me, “networking” simply means going out and talking to others.
Are we talking about your project?
Contact me and I will reply as soon as possible!