My name is Denise (Denizse) Ozaksun,
I am an illustrator and Surface Pattern Designer. After years of passion for drawing, I turned my creativity into a professional journey. I love the colors of the sea, the greens of nature, and textures that tell stories. I live between Italy, Turkiye and Switzerland, and my work reflects these cultural and artistic influences.
I enjoy creating illustrations and pattern designs that bring to life the things I wish existed. By translating these concepts into visual art, I explore how ideas can take shape and resonate beyond the initial sketch. The process of seeing my designs applied to tangible products allows me to understand how visual elements interact with form, function, and user experience. It's rewarding to witness how a personal vision evolves into something functional and accessible, bridging imagination with reality.
My passion has evolved through the years, yet at its core, it remains the same as when I was a little girl.
Back then, it was a simple curiosity and excitement for discovering new things. As I grew, that curiosity deepened into a focused drive, shaped by experiences and challenges, but the spark-the genuine love and enthusiasm-never faded. The joy I find in creating, learning, and exploring still feels as pure and powerful as it did in childhood. No matter how much l've changed, this passion has been the steady thread tying my past to my present.
My passion for drawing began at a very young age, with a special focus on fashion that quickly took shape during my early years. This deep-rooted love for artistic expression naturally evolved into a career in the textile industry, where I spent several years bringing designs to life. As I grew older, my passion expanded to include traveling and experiencing nature, which significantly enriched my art. These experiences fueled my desire to create visuals that reflect the beauty I wish to see in the world.
Embracing entrepreneurship, I launched my own illustration and surface pattern design venture, embarking on a new adventure that has allowed me to collaborate with wonderful individuals who share my enthusiasm for art and creativity.
I have a particular affection for the sun, the colors of the ocean, and nature - elements that frequently inspire and appear in my work. Drawing inspiration from my surroundings and my travels around the world, I strive to capture a vibrant, diverse aesthetic.
As an Italian living between Milan, Lugano, and Istanbul, I am immersed in a unique blend of cultures.
These cities continue to inspire me and influence my artistic vision, enabling me to infuse a combination of cultural vibes into my creations,
So I am an illustrator, but before that I am simply an observer: of shifting skies, unfamiliar streets, suitcases opening and closing, hearts that break and — almost mysteriously — find the courage to begin again.
I draw because it is the only language that holds what I cannot fully say aloud:
the quiet after the storm, the sudden joy of a morning coffee, a nostalgia that no longer wounds but softens, the waiting that slowly becomes light.
I do not seek perfection; I seek what feels true.
And truth, at least in my story, has often emerged right where life trembled.
There were seasons when everything seemed to collapse — home, certainty, roles, a sense of belonging.
I name them without fear now, because they shaped me.
And yet, right there, something tender and sacred held me up: faith. It didn’t erase the weight of those days, but it stayed with me inside them.
And gently, almost imperceptibly, it mended what felt impossible to mend.
Today I illustrate to remember that:
that we are allowed to rise again without having to be flawless,
that the heart can return to wholeness with patience,
that nothing is wasted — not even the fractures.
MyPaperia — the magazine, the maps, the Paper Duck, the color collections — is not just a project.
It is a story of return, a new geography built little by little.
A quiet way to offer others what was offered to me:
a cup of calm, a page to breathe through, a horizon whispering, “Begin again. I am here.”
As I travel, through cities that become home and homes that become memory, I continue learning that wonder lives in the smallest things:
in slow steps, in kind encounters, in God who makes no noise but remains.
If what I create reaches you as a gentle balm,
then I know that this path — between fragility and radiance — had a purpose.
Traveling has been one of my greatest passions from a very young age. I've been incredibly fortunate to explore nearly every corner of the world, experiencing diverse cultures and vibrant cities early on. As a child, I was fascinated by the unique traditions, architecture, and lifestyles of people across the globe. Those early journeys fueled my curiosity and love for adventure.
As l've grown older, my focus has shifted from the bustling energy of cities to a deeper appreciation for the natural world. I now seek out peaceful landscapes, breathtaking wilderness, and quiet moments of immersion in nature.
Whether it's hiking through mountains, wandering forests, or watching sunsets by the ocean, these experiences have brought me a profound sense of connection and balance.
A constant companion throughout much of my life has been my beloved chocolate Labrador, who was my best friend for sixteen years. We were inseparable, traveling together wherever life took us. My dog was more than just a pet-he was a loyal supporter who stood by me through my highest highs and lowest lows. His unwavering love and joyful spirit inspired me daily and provided comfort when I needed it most.
Exploring my surroundings and capturing every beautiful moment has become a way of life. From grand cityscapes to tiny wonders of nature, I am always eager to discover and appreciate the world's hidden treasures. Traveling, nature, and the companionship of my dog have shaped my journey profoundly, teaching me to value both adventure and the quiet beauty that surrounds us.
