Freelance Illustrator, Creator and Story Teller who makes mundane mediocre moments extraordinary through her art. Overtly obsessed with colors, she loves creating Drama through Art. If there is anything else she loves as much as art and craft is her naps.
1. Tell us more about your background and journey
I was born and brought up in Hyderabad. I completed my education in Hyderabad. After which, I wanted to pursue my passion in the field of designing. I had started a clothing label and explored it for a couple of years, after which I ventured into the fashion accessories arena. In the year 2018, I had started Illustrations By AJ to take forward my childhood interest of drawing, illustrating and doodling. Started out to channel my passion but soon garnered commissioned work and now there is no looking back. I am very glad and satisfied with the way my work has shaped out to be.
2. When did you decide you wanted to be an illustrator?
I wouldn’t say that I had decided to become an illustrator. It was something that happened when I started giving more time to this passion of mine. It has been my hobby to doodle quite frequently, be it gifting any creatives to my friends, decorating my room with the work I do, etc. I am obsessed with colours and I’ve always had a calling for Art.
3. Is it a financially stable career?
In this age, with so much of our work going up on social media platforms, there is a lot of scope to develop our skill simultaneously while working. You don’t necessarily need to have a brick-and-mortar setup to start a business of this kind. As long as people are able to connect with your work and find it relevant, this career option is definitely something one can explore and grow with.
4. Who is your favorite illustrator?
There is a long list of artists who amaze me with their style. However, Alicia Souza will always remain my favorite. Her simple quirky doodling style was something that just always kept me glued to her work.
5. Where do you get inspired from to create art?
I mostly take inspiration from day to day activities. The kind of emotions we go through with different people in our life. The way we react to situations. I try to keep my art more on a lighter side because I would like to lighten the moods of people when they look at my work.
“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way” this is a quote I once read somewhere and it just stuck with me!
6. What piece of advice would you like to give to future aspiring illustrators?
Keep your work simple and crisp so that the common crowd can understand and relate to the work. It is really wonderful to realize how small nuances of our life are similar to what many others go through and that is what keeps me going. Always be curious to learn and never shy away from taking inspiration from other amazing artists around. Be true to your work and never settle for shortcuts. Never compare with others. Just try to up your game and keep learning each day. Take compliments and criticism both in the right spirit. Most importantly grab any opportunity big or small. Because every journey is a learning in itself. Experiment, innovate and create.
7. Which is your favorite book and why?
I really like Mrs.Funnybones by Twinkle Khanna. It is really funny how she could bring about a lighter note to many things she’s described in the book. She brilliantly added a sarcastic touch to her book with her humor and wit. That is an art. And this is what forms the basis of most of my artwork as well.
ANKITA JAIN
Illustrator
Interviewed By
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