When the first editor feedback came in, everything shifted

Hi, I’m Petra Ratković.

My story began quietly in the autumn of 2023, while I was pregnant and preparing a room for my daughter. Without much planning, I painted a mural—slightly psychedelic in concept, yet soft and gentle in pastel tones. The reactions surprised me. People were genuinely impressed, and some were seeing my drawings for the first time. That moment sparked something in me.

I returned to art through patterns. I was drawn to their simplicity, their rhythm, and the way they come together like a puzzle—creating something more through repetition. It felt calming, but also exciting, like rediscovering a language I had always known.

In the summer of 2025, everything shifted. I was given the opportunity to illustrate a story written by my sister-in-law—warm, tender, and full of emotion. Through that project, I realized that illustration is what I want to do. When the first feedback came in, especially from an editor, I felt a sense of confidence I hadn’t known before. Even though I had built a career in food safety, something I had dedicated years to, a part of me that had always been there finally found its place.

Perhaps it’s no coincidence that I once dreamed of becoming an architect. I have always wanted to draw, to think creatively. Life took me in a different direction, but now I see how everything led me here—with more clarity, intention, and passion.

Children’s picture books are where it all comes together. As a mother, I discovered a special kind of beauty in them—the meeting of image and story that nurtures imagination, warmth, and a love for books. It’s a world I want to share with my child, and one I want to help create. I believe this is where we build inner worlds filled with curiosity, calm, and meaning.

Today, I create with excitement and a deep sense that I am exactly where I’m meant to be.

Please contact me directly for projects or to inquire about purchasing my work.

petra.ratkovic.pr@gmail.com
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