From Inktober to Illustrated Identity: The Story Behind My Bear Brand

Back in 2018, I made a decision that quietly changed my life — I committed to completing my very first Inktober challenge. At the time, I didn’t think of myself as someone who could really draw or illustrate. But something about the artist lifestyle always made me curious — maybe even a little jealous. A part of me deeply wanted to express myself through illustration and visual storytelling.

Without any big plans or expectations, something magical happened on day 10 of Inktober: Larisa Bear was born.

There was something different about this bear illustration. Unlike the previous drawings, which had leaned heavily on inspiration or references, this one felt deeply personal — raw, emotional, and unexpectedly me. My friends noticed it too. Everyone seemed to connect with this character in a way that surprised me.

So I decided to continue Inktober with Larisa Bear leading the way — exploring what might happen if I gave her more space to exist.

The feedback I received was overwhelming. People connected with these drawings. And for the first time, I felt like I had found a visual language that felt natural. I didn’t have fancy tools — just the cheapest children’s watercolor set, a tiny plastic brush, and my beloved Moleskine sketchbook (which I still use today). But it was enough.

Creating Without Credentials: My Self-Taught Artist Journey

I never studied art formally. I didn’t attend art school or take professional classes. I bought budget supplies and often kept my drawings hidden from the world. But something about being self-taught gave me freedom — I had no rules to follow, just instincts and emotions.

Years later, I entered a local art competition at a coffee shop. They promised to print one of my bear illustrations on t-shirts and sell them in-store. Unfortunately, that never happened. At the time, I was disappointed — but I also didn’t think I could make it happen on my own.

It wasn’t until war forced me to leave Ukraine that something shifted. I found myself returning once again to drawing. As I began building a new life in Spain, the bears returned too — this time with more purpose.

Thanks to the incredible support of local friends and the generosity of people who helped me find ethical manufacturers and sustainable production partners, I started to transform these illustrations into a real brand.

 

Building a Bear Brand from Scratch

My small business is more than just bear prints on bags and shirts — it's the result of a deeply personal, creative evolution. It’s a brand rooted in self-expression, resilience, and daily joy.

What began as a single character born from a simple prompt and cheap watercolors is now a collection of relatable, emotionally expressive bears that connect with others in meaningful ways.

If I’ve learned anything from this journey, it’s that you can’t avoid who you are forever. Sooner or later, your creative voice catches up with you. You come back to your inner child, trust yourself more, and realize — if it’s meant to happen, it will.