Welcome to Gliding Turtle, my eco-friendly art shop and small business offering beautifully crafted products that don’t harm the environment. My name is Lukasz Iskierka, and I’m an artist and founder of the Gliding Turtle shop. We all search for happiness and fulfilment, and for me, creativity is the path to achieving it.
Traditional art tools hold a special place in my heart. Nothing can replace the sensory experience of their smells, textures, and the tactile sensation of holding them in my hands. I relish the controlled chaos and inherent messiness they bring. On the other hand, digital tools such as Adobe Photoshop and Corel Painter offer me a sense of complete control that traditional media cannot match. My preferred technique involves painting with watercolours on wooden panels, refining shapes with coloured pencil, and then applying a thick coat of black ink. I enjoy scratching out areas to reveal vibrant details hidden beneath the surface.
(You can find my illustartion portfolio here)
My art extends a warm invitation to explore our connection with nature and embrace our inner child, capturing the essence of their wonder and innocence. My works reflect a wide spectrum of aesthetics, with influences ranging from vintage sci-fi book illustrtions, linocut, and layered papercut art to the Polish school of posters. This rich pool of artistic inspirations enhances my work, enabling me to infuse each project with a unique and captivating essence.
The turtle in the logo represents the vision of the world I stand for—where unspoiled beauty of nature is at the heart of our every-day choices. To fulfil this vision, I work hard to minimise the waste from the creative process, collaborate with local businesses to reduce carbon footprint, and use biodegradable and recyclable materials to pack all goods.
To hear about new products, subscribe to my newsletter. You can also see work-in-progress photos and other updates on Instagram. Lastly, if you ever find me at one of art fairs or exhibitions, don’t be shy – come and say hello!
(Photos: Mario Mangata and Daniel Torobekov)