Daniela Spoto: The Slow, Botanical, Fairy-Tale World of an Italian Illustrator in Düsseldorf

Born in 1986 in Nuoro and currently residing in Düsseldorf, Daniela Spoto is known for her vivid illustrations that blend rich natural elements with a surreal, contrasting aesthetic. After completing her painting studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Sassari, she relocated to Berlin, where she transitioned to illustration and book design, partnering with online magazines, independent publishers, and small comic festivals. Influenced by artists such as Aubrey Beardsley and Hieronymus Bosch, Spoto characterizes her art as slow, botanical, and fairy-tale-like. Utilizing both traditional mixed media and digital techniques, she began incorporating gouache into her work two years ago. Her creative process involves research and sketching before finalizing compositions. Notably, she declined an unpaid book cover offer and a last-minute request to redraw 30 characters. Spoto aspires to illustrate Ovid's Metamorphoses, one plate monthly, and during Germany's lockdown, she kept busy with projects while missing her family in Sardinia. Currently, she is preparing several upcoming books and aims to pursue personal editorial projects next winter. This interview by Roberta Vanali appeared in Artribune Magazine #58.