my work to have their own interpretation. This way, a sense of mystery remains. I want people to consider their childhood joys and nightmares...
MK : Your illustrations were published in over thirty children’s books, and your work is also greatly admired by adults for its colorful emotions and complexity. Do you create your paintings with children in mind, or is your work not specific to any particular age group?

Nicoletta: Working as an illustrator over the last 20 years has allowed me to keep in touch with my inner child. If one of my storybooks is the first form of visual education for a child, I hope he or she may feel inspired to conquer their fears in real life, just as in a magical fairy tale. I create my work for children and for those adults who still take dreams and childhood seriously.
MK: Do you think that an artist needs to

feel inspired or do you believe that inspiration comes during the work process?
Nicoletta: Both are true. I tend to take my job as every other job: following the schedule and dedicating a lot of time to it. I don’t wait for the inspiration to come. Everything I see and experience in life nurtures my inspiration: fairy tales, poetry, paintings, literature. I am interested in mythology for the irrepressible