For Ukrainian artist Yana Boyko, that moment came during the stillness of the pandemic, when the ink from her calligraphy work began to dry, and illustration called like a new language waiting to be spoken. What began as an experiment soon became a vivid, visceral practice—a way of drawing the world in motion, one stroke at a time.

Yana’s work lives at the intersection of energy and elegance. Her textured, waxy lines seem to hum with kinetic power, capturing athletes mid-leap, mid-breath, mid-roar. But behind her luminous, color-charged illustrations is a story not just of artistry, but of endurance—of growing up in Ukraine, of staying curious, of choosing light in the face of darkness.

In this Q&A, Yana spoke with us about how sports became both subject and muse, how imperfection is part of the magic, and why freedom—creative, emotional, and physical—is the soul of her work.

Tell us a bit about your journey as an illustrator and artist—how did you get started?

“I used to work as a calligrapher for 8 years, with weddings as my main area, but then  COVID-19 happened. I lost my job and needed to find a new profession. I had been interested in illustration for a long time, so I decided to give it a try.” 

Growing up in Ukraine, what influences shaped your creative voice? And how is being an artist in Ukraine now?

“I think I was influenced by Ukrainian naïve art, American films of the 90s and 00s, and the impressionists. 

Also, since childhood, I have been involved in various sports and creative activities, and I studied art history at the Architectural Academy. All of this has allowed me to develop a wide range of interests and a curiosity about new ideas. 

If we talk about working with Ukrainian projects, it’s not easy now. During the war, businesses and government don’t have many financial resources and are very careful about spending money. I chose a different way and looked for a wider audience.

Fortunately, there are now social networks that help people from all over the world to hear your voice.”

How would you describe your artistic style and the themes that define your work?

“Do you remember when you were a kid and you used to draw just for the process of drawing,  and how much you enjoyed it? This is exactly the feeling I’m trying to find and preserve. For  me, freedom and delight in the process are important. I draw what I like, what evokes emotions in me.”

Which artists, cultural movements, or personal experiences inspire your visuals?

“Honestly, I found my way only when I stopped looking at what other artists were doing.  I like to look for inspiration in completely different things.”

What draws you to sports as a theme?

“I am fascinated by the atmosphere of sporting events. The spirit of competition, tension, and dynamics.  

Secondly, I started drawing sports illustrations because it was a challenge for me. One day, I decided to take a new tool and a difficult topic and combine them. Drawing people in motion has never been my strongest skill, but it seems like the result of the experiment was quite good.”

How do you capture the energy, strength, and grace of athletes in your illustrations?

“I think it’s the freedom of movement and the texture of the wax crayon that work in tandem to give a sense of this energy. And it’s also important for me to immerse myself in the atmosphere of the moments I’m drawing.”  

Are there particular athletes, sports, or moments that inspire your works more?

“I usually paint the sports I am interested in and watch. This way, I can better convey the  moment. Sometimes I just like the aesthetics of a sport and choose it as a story for my illustrations. This happened, for example, with hockey or cycling, which I have never been a fan of, but they look fantastic.  

I would love to work on  football, which I love to watch, but it’s difficult for me to draw because of the large number of players and the scale of the field. And also because there are so many teams, and I can’t draw all of them. 

If we talk about my favorite moments to draw, it’s the tension of a fierce fight or triumphant victories.” 

Favorite sports to illustrate?

“100% tennis. There can be no other options. I love playing tennis, drawing tennis, and watching tennis tournaments.”

A moment in sports history or personal sport memory you’d love to turn into art?

“I like to be a kind of “sports reporter” and draw actual events, more than old iconic ones.”

Can you walk us through your creative process—from idea to finished illustration?

“It’s usually a spark. When an idea comes to mind, it needs to be realized as soon as  possible, because that fire can quickly fade away. 

I choose to work with traditional materials on paper because it has more soul. Digital  illustrations are always very “flat” to me, even if they are 3D. I like real life illustrations filled with density and textures, where there is a possibility of making a mistake, and then imperfection suddenly becomes an advantage.” 

What are some of the sports-related projects or collaborations you are most proud of?

“Of the recent projects, I enjoyed working with Lando Norris, it was a great experience. But I think the best projects are still ahead of me.”

As an artist in today’s digital world, what challenges do you face, and how do you overcome them?

“Theft is probably one of the biggest problems of the digital era. A lot of people think that if it’s on the Internet, it can be used as they want. I haven’t found any ways to overcome this yet.” 

What inspires you outside of sports—books, music, nature?

“People. Those who are passionate about what they do, who are immersed in the process, and  love what they do. It doesn’t matter who they are – a market seller, an outstanding athlete, or a musician. When you see people with eyes that shine, it’s a pleasure to draw them.” 

Are there any upcoming projects or dream collaborations you’d love to pursue?

“Of course, I have many dreams and ideas, but I don’t have enough space in my mind to list them all. Perhaps, the first one that comes out is to work with Teddy Santis, creative director of Aimè Leon Dore.”

What vision or feeling of sports do you want your audience to take away from your art?

“I want to share the feeling of freedom. Now in Ukraine, there is a lot of darkness and terrible events around me, but despite this, I always try to look for light and bring it to people.”