ARTIST INTERVIEW: Cecilia Battaini

November 13, 2025 5 min read

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: CECILIA BATTAINI – Nature-Inspired Illustrator from Milan, Italy

Meet the Artist: Cecilia Battaini

📍 Milan, Italy

There is a quiet magic in Cecilia Battaini’s work — soft botanical forms, gentle textures, lush florals, curious mushrooms, whimsical vegetables, and charming animals that feel alive with story. From her small studio in Milan, Cecilia turns the natural world into art that feels comforting, imaginative, and deeply human. Her illustrations, drawn by hand with colored pencils and finished digitally, have a distinctive warmth that immediately draws you in.

Cecilia’s signature style — inspired by real plants she photographs on her travels — blends traditional techniques with modern surface design. Her artwork has been licensed around the world, appearing on wallpapers, greeting cards, textiles, wall art, and now, wearable art through DenimINK. We’re thrilled to showcase her voice, her vision, and her beautifully unique “inner garden.”

Below is Cecilia’s full interview — a heartfelt journey through creativity, healing, inspiration, and the power of art to bring joy.

🖊️ INTERVIEW WITH CECILIA BATTAINI:

How did you first get started with art?

Drawing was something I was suggested to do when I was a teenager — I was going through very hard times and it worked as a sort of therapy. I was gifted books about botanical illustrations and tons of pencils — that’s how everything started. Even when I started feeling better, I never abandoned drawing, because now it was part of me.

That’s why I’m a self-taught illustrator — the digital part came later, when I was studying Fashion Design and was introduced to the world of patterns. I immediately thought they were a perfect match for my floral illustrations. While I learned how to make patterns with Photoshop, today my favorite program is Affinity. I have been mixing analog and digital since then and I never went back.

How would you describe your particular style of art?

I usually see my art as the expression of my inner garden — it represents my feelings, emotions, dreams, and memories. I really believe we should take care of our inner world like it was a beautiful, thriving garden, and surround ourselves with things (objects, memories, pieces of art) that allow us to find healing and comfort — and spark a little joy.

What inspires your creative style or aesthetic?

I find inspiration in nature: drawing lush flowers, curious mushrooms, cute animals, and vibrant vegetables is my own way to express my feelings and to tell stories. Inspiration can come from different places, like walking into a park close to my studio in Milan, Italy.

However, what really fuels my imagination is traveling around the world, in search of plants and flowers to sketch with my pencils and transform into whimsical patterns and botanical illustrations.

Who or what have been your biggest artistic influences?

Probably my biggest artistic influences were the botanical illustration books from which I learned how to draw plants. I loved turning the pages and discovering the most curious plants and flowers from around the world — and reading the stories of the artists behind them.

The illustrations in those books were created between the 17th–19th centuries, often by artists who joined botanical expeditions. I would have never imagined that I’d someday experience similar adventures… until a former art tutor encouraged me to get outdoors, take pictures of plants, and make my art more personal.

The next day I was in a botanical garden — and since then I’ve gone ever farther: jungles, savannahs, oceans… exploring the world in search of inspiration.

What does your typical creative process look like — from idea to final artwork?

I always start sketching my flowers with colored pencils, using my own reference photos taken during my travels. I scan all the sketches onto my laptop and arrange them into a pattern using Affinity, often adding a digitally colored background.

If I scan a standalone illustration — an already finished artwork — I rely on Affinity only to polish it a bit.

What do you do to get yourself out of a creative block?

This may sound strange, but I rarely experience creative block — there are always so many things I want to draw and so little time!

If I’m working on a client project and don’t know where to start, I do a lot of research, then take a break — an hour or a day — and focus on something else. When I return to the project with fresh eyes, that’s usually when inspiration finally clicks.

What’s an obstacle you’ve overcome that you’re most proud of?

Putting my art out there. I’m very shy and introverted, and sharing my work publicly took a big amount of courage. It still does — because sharing art means sharing a piece of yourself.

But art needs to be seen. Even if one person likes my post, I’m happy — because for a few moments, my art may have sparked a little joy in someone else’s day.

What’s one piece of advice you wish you’d known when starting out?

That slow growth is good growth. This career can take years to build. I’m still here, five years after becoming a full-time artist, and I earn very little — but I am grateful every day to be doing what I love.

Consistency and patience are everything. This journey is still long, but I’m proud of where I am right now.

How does it feel seeing your art brought to life on wearable products?

Every time it happens, I still can’t believe it — even after years. It’s always a joy to see my creations come to life on products and people actually wearing them. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming!

Which of your designs for DenimINK are you most proud of, and why?

I’m especially proud of my collection inspired by the animals of the African savannah. I began sketching them right after a safari in Botswana two years ago, and only recently completed the full collection.

It was a huge step outside my comfort zone — I had to figure out what I really wanted to do with those sketches. The timing felt meaningful too: I finished the collection right before returning to Africa, this time to the jungles of Uganda.

In just a few months I licensed the collection to various clients — faster than anything I’ve ever created. Knowing that so many people love something I put my heart into leaves me speechless.

What are some challenges you face as an independent artist today?

Finding clients. It can be discouraging when emails go unanswered or when there’s no client work for weeks. What helps me continue is staying consistent and taking action.

If your art had a soundtrack, what song would be on repeat?

Instrumental music — something from a Studio Ghibli film like Arrietty or Spirited Away.

What’s one of your creative or professional goals for 2026?

2025 was the best year ever for my business, and I want 2026 to be even better. I’d love to work with a big brand on a dream project — and I have many other goals I’m excited to work toward.

About Us

DenimINK was created for those who were born to stand out. Make a statement in denim in our one-of-a-kind artist created designs or design your own. Each piece is handcrafted-to-order in Dallas - creating a truly unique piece of wearable art. Read our full story here.

Shop Cecilia Battaini Designs on Denim:

Safari Lion by Cecilia Trinidad Unisex Denim Jacket