Sydney-based illustrator and self-confessed daydreamer Kareena is all sorts of lovely. Her whimsical ladies and woodland critters have scampered over galleries all around Oz, and make a special appearance in our "In the Spotlight" mag. Say hello to Kareena and her creations!

We were super excited that Kareena agreed to add her own delicate, nostalgic flavour to the magazine - and she even lent her considerable skill to creating the amazing wallpaper you see splashed on the Sportsgirl site! Sportsgirl sat down for some Q&A with the talented lovely.

Sportsgirl: Can you tell Sportsgirls a littl bit about yourself?

Kareena Zerefos: I am quite a daydreamer.

SG: We're in love with your talented illustrations - how would you describe what you do?

KZ: I piece together my own sometimes-shadowy, little make-believe worlds with detailed, fragile lines and muted tones, using pencils, ink and gouache on paper (and some times on pine wooden boxes).

SG: How would you describe your illustraion style?

KZ: Delicate, nostalgic and bittersweet.

SG: When did you first know that you wanted to be an illustrator, and how did you get started?

For as long as I can remember I’ve always liked to draw, but never really thought it was something I could do as a ‘real job’. So, essentially I started out with a graphic design background, studying design at the College of Fine Arts and working within the industry for a couple of years. While I was doing that I just spent a lot of time drawing on the side, and started moonlighting as a freelance illustrator.

SG: When did you take the leap into full time illustration?

Pretty much after a few too many late nights spent drawing, I decided that while I was still young I could take the risk and give up the day job.

SG What - or who - is your biggest inspiration?

KZ: My work is inspired mostly by the nostalgic things I have hoarded along the way; a collection of old super-8 footage from my dad’s childhood in rural New South Wales, vintage postcards and photos, children’s books and delicate fine bone china tea sets.

SG: Complete these sentences:

My favourite artists are… Egon Schiele, Salvador Dali, Man Ray and Peter Callesen. At the moment I’m also in love with Brisbane artist Michael Zavros’ charcoal drawings, and Cherry Hood’s watercolours.

This summer I've been… staying at a fellow artist, Mia Taninaka’s place in North Avalon and enjoying the ocean breeze from the cliffs.

I love… my Italian greyhound.

My guilty secret is… red wine, dark chocolate and Johnny Cash.

Sometimes I… listen to Life on Mars, and have to play it again because it was all over too soon.

www.kareenazerefos.com