What is the best thing that I love about my work? One of the best thing I love about my work is the way images come to life. I like to study, sketch, try and try and try until I reach THAT thing. Sometimes it’s frustrating, but this process always makes you grow as an artist and as a person.

What is my idea of perfect happiness? My idea of perfect happiness is doing what I love with the people I love. If you do what you like, you’re never wasting your time and it’s easier to be happy.

What is my greatest fear? I’m afraid to lose the love of the important people in my life. This thought consumes me 😦 And, to be completely honest, I shiver when I think that I could have done everything wrong in my life. Gasp!

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? There are a lot of them, I don’t know which is the most relevant! I’m so bossy sometimes…and opinionated, too. But I’m working hard to smother the ugly aspects of my personality.

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire? There are a lot of people I admire. First of all, Yuko Shimizu, a great illustrator that worked (and still work) hard in her life. She wasn’t young when she decided to become an illustrator – I admire her courage and motivation. She’s my heroine. Second, I admire the people that put themself into doing something – like illustration or comics. I respect who believe in his/her passion and works hard.

What is my greatest extravagance? I’ve got plenty of them…I choose this: I hate surprises. I really do hate them so much, even when someone gives me an unexpected present, I’m happy and mad at the same time! Like, “why didn’t you warn me before you gave me this? I hate you!”.

On what occasion would I lie? I don’t like to lie, but I do lie sometimes, if someone asks things that are none of his/her business – just to shut them down. But it’s not actually lying, I think it’s just omitting facts.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?  I’m not ok with my work right now, I need more practice. I don’t like the fact that it looks like it’s done by a novice, an amateur. It’s like I’m not able to control it. It’s a little frustrating.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? As I said, I need more practice. In the future, I’ll be happy.

If I could, what would I change about myself? I would like to work more than I do now. A LOT. I distract myself so easily!

What is my greatest achievement in work?  Every good work is an achievement, a step forward. The greatest achievement is to not go backwards!

Where would I most like to live? I like to live in Treviso, right now. There’s a good energy, a lot of things to see and to do. Here live the people I love and there is my favourite festival ever (which I work for, lucky me!), Treviso Comic Book Festival. It would be great to live here in the future.

What is my most treasured possession? The original drawings that my friends gave me, such wonderful illustrations! I collect them. I even got two original sketchs by Alberto Corradi and Emily Hughes. I also keep as treasures my books, comics and illustrated books, in particular those signed by their authors. And not to mention the teddy bear my grandma gave me when I was born, Orso Papà (Father Bear).

What is my most marked characteristic? I like (need?) to have everything under control, and I like to collaborate with others. So, I’m determined and organized, but a little messy when I do things by myself! And most of all, I’m REALLY chatty.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city? My city, Treviso, is so pretty, you can’t even imagine. I like most of all its walls, it’s relaxing having a walk upon them. I also like a bench outside the walls, it’s just in front of a river, you can sit there and watch the water cutted through ducks and swans.

What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city? I enjoy a little pub in my hometown, it’s called Cucchi. It’s small and cozy, the perfect combo!

What books influenced my life and how? My father read me illustrated books when I was a child, so my passion for illustration starts when I was a kid. I guess that the most remarkable was Le storie del bosco (The Woodland Folk series) by Tony Wolf. It’s a series of stories about a group of animals and fantasy creatures that lived a lot of stunning adventures. The illustrations are incredible, sweet and funny at the same time. I try to recreate situations with that atmosphere in my works, and I think it’s also because of that wonderful book. For the same reason, and because it’s the first thing I read all by myself, I had to include Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz – it was fundamental in my childhood.

Who are my favorite writers? Reading is amazing. My favourite writers are Simone de Beauvoir, Italo Calvino, Daniel Pennac and Neil Gaiman.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? I love music, I listen to music all day long. On my last day on Earth, I picture myself listening to Rhapsody in blue by George Gershwin. Epic.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? I don’t know now, but in my childhood my heroine was Matilda, the protagonist of the Roald Dahl’s novel Matilda. She was strong, independent and self conscious even if she was only a child – and she loves to read, and does magic tricks. What a great girl! She inspired me so much.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? My parents above all. They gave to me and my brother the freedom of choice, I’m grateful to them. And my brother Luca, he’s a badass (btw he’s younger than me). Not to mention Yuko Shimizu, of course.

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime? I recommend three of them: Once upon a time in America – one of the best movies ever made, Princess Mononoke – for the great story and the amazing animations, and Emperor’s New Groove – ’cause I just love it, it’s perfect!

What role plays art in my life and work? It plays an important part in both. I like to be surrounded by art in every form – illustration, comics, books, music, movies…these things give a meaning to my life.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? My greatest fan and sponsor is my mum, I guess! And my partners in crime are my boyfriend Stefano, my brother Luca and my bff Eleonora above all, and my friends/buddies/colleagues of Collettivo BaldoBranco, an illustration collective I founded with five friends.

Whom would I like to work with in 2017? I would like to work in team with BaldoBranco as we’re doing right now.

Which people in my profession would I love to meet in 2017? I would love to meet Yuko Shimizu of course, Gianluca Folì, Carll Cneut, Victo Ngai, Taiyo Matsumoto and Isabelle Arsenault too. I really enjoy their work. And the Kerascoët couple, they’re amazing.

What project, in 2017, am I looking forward to work on? I don’t know right now, but it would be something with BaldoBranco, I’m sure of it!

You can find me in Treviso, and you can see my work on my Facebook page, on Instagram and Behance (https://www.behance.net/chissalesa0332) and on the BaldoBranco site (www.baldobranco.com), Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BaldoBranco/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/baldobranco/), Twitter (https://twitter.com/baldobranco) and Tumblr (https://baldobranco.tumblr.com/).

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? They’re so true. When you love something, you live for it. So, until you’re alive, your passion never leaves you – and you can never leave it, too.

Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story? My buddies of Collettivo BaldoBranco, of course, and all the girls and women that work for Treviso Comic Book Festival, they’re great!

You can write me an email at chissale.sara@gmail.com or on Facebook at my page https://www.facebook.com/kissaSC/ – even on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/scimmietta_kissa/?hl=it

Thanks for reading!