Creativity, care and transformation through the eyes of an illustrator
The images accompanying Latteria di Chiuro tell a story that goes far beyond the product itself: they evoke ancient gestures, changing seasons and a sense of community. Behind these illustrations is the hand of Inge Padovani, an artist capable of translating rural life into simple, vibrant and deeply expressive visual language. In this interview, she shares her inspirations, her connection with the world of milk, and the creative freedom she has found within a project that brings together tradition and a contemporary vision.
Inge Padovani
Valtellina by adoption, artist and creative professional, she has been working with images for over twenty years, collaborating with Latteria di Chiuro as an illustrator.
After studying at an art high school and further specialising as a visual communication technician, she began working with small local businesses. She later founded an experiential art workshop dedicated to those wishing to develop their creativity through ceramics, painting and drawing.
Her work is aimed at both children and adults, not only within the workshop itself but also through activities held in external spaces. Her vocation is also deeply connected to motherhood: raising her two daughters highlighted for her how essential it is, for personal growth, to nurture creativity through experiences and emotions.
Your illustrations convey a very distinctive atmosphere: that of the mountains, rural life and simplicity. Where does this aesthetic come from? What inspires you when creating these characters?
My images come more from observation and emotional memory than from photography. I draw inspiration from the slow rhythms of mountain life, from repeated gestures that almost become rituals. I try to simplify, to remove the unnecessary in order to reach a form that is essential yet alive. The characters I create are often archetypes: they represent a way of life more than specific individuals. Whenever I illustrate, I think about an atmosphere, a way of feeling, a contemplative approach to being in touch with bucolic dimensions.
Do you have a personal connection with the world of milk, dairies and cheese production? Are there childhood memories that resurface in your work?
Yes, the connection is very deep. What influenced me most was the rural dimension of my family life: as a child, I was often bored in the countryside. It was precisely out of that boredom that my attention to small details was born. Objects and actions, like cutting grass in the fields, became the focus of my observation. That is where I first sensed a kind of enchantment: in the agricultural world, the senses become connected to perceptions, images and gestures. When I create illustrations for Latteria di Chiuro, I do not think only about the finished product, but about everything behind it: the work, the patience, the passing of time. After designing the images on paper, the act of painting reconnects me to those experiences and brings my memories back to life.
In your work for Latteria di Chiuro, a coherent and recognisable narrative clearly emerges. How is this visual identity built?
It is a process based on listening. I try to tune into the values of the organisation I am collaborating with. With Latteria di Chiuro, it felt natural to work around an imagery rooted in authenticity and territory. Colours, shapes and characters all contribute to creating a visual language that is immediately recognisable yet also evocative. At the beginning, we focused on defining the communicative intention: it was important to tell the story of the material life revolving around milk. From there came the idea of creating textured backgrounds starting from a circular base beneath the painted surface. The centre of these traces becomes a focal point that guides the observer’s gaze, much like the concentric circles that spread across water when a stone is thrown into it. They are waves that dissolve, but also open up and embrace the image together with the emotions of the viewer, generating vibrant colours and details that bring what I paint to life.
What is your relationship with Matilde Robustelli della Cuna like? Does the dialogue with those working in education and marketing influence your creative process?
I am very grateful to the Latteria’s communication team, in which Matilde plays a fundamental role. With her, there is a continuous exchange built on trust. She brings a strategic and educational vision, together with the graphic designer and other people who are always available and capable of creating strong synergies. I translate all of this into images. This dialogue greatly enriches my work, because it allows me not to remain confined within a purely aesthetic dimension, but also to reflect on the communicative function of illustration.
The “Latte di Natale” project has a strong symbolic and emotional dimension. How do you interpret it, and what role do you feel you play within it?
I see it as a collective story that brings together tradition and contemporaneity. My role, as a member of the jury, is not only to evaluate, but also to read and interpret the messages that emerge: to give visual form to emotions and narratives, encouraging reflection on the important themes proposed each year. It is also a collaborative process, in which we try to maintain a balance between simplicity and depth. It is a project that speaks about giving and community, and that is something I feel deeply connected to.
Within this collaboration, do you feel free to express yourself? How important is creative freedom for an illustrator?
Freedom is essential, and I feel understood, respected and free to express myself. When there is mutual trust, the work becomes more authentic. In this collaboration, I am able to propose ideas and experiment, while still remaining within a shared identity. Discussion can also lead to differing opinions, but we always manage to find the right balance. This collaboration has helped me grow over the years: it is a valuable balance that enhances and strengthens individual abilities.
What does it mean to you to be an illustrator today and, more specifically, to be a woman working in this field?
It means finding your own voice and sharing it with the world. It is a profession that offers great expressive freedom. I believe it is important to tell the story of women’s work in all its nuances, without stereotypes. In this sense, illustration is a powerful tool. Through visual communication, I try to find and convey my own voice: a voice shaped by poetry, delicacy and sensitivity, capable of bringing a feminine perspective and value into reality.
If you had to summarise your work for Latteria di Chiuro in a single word, which would you choose?
I would say “care.” Care in the way I express myself, in relationships, and in giving value to things that often risk going unnoticed. Care as attention to details, gestures and timing: the rhythms of craftsmanship, but also the time needed for an image to truly communicate. Because every mark, even the simplest one, comes from a deep gaze and an authentic listening to the story one wishes to tell.
Interview by Carla Barzanò
Carla Barzanò, dietitian and journalist, is an expert in food education and the author of several books dedicated to children and families. Since 1989, she has led cooking and tasting workshops for both adults and children.
She has designed and coordinated numerous taste education projects, continuously monitored and updated through an action-research methodology, with the aim of enhancing the everyday dimensions of eating. Through these initiatives, she has engaged with a wide and diverse audience across all age groups.
She is committed to promoting practices for sustainable nutrition in line with the objectives of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
