Q:   Can you share how your artistic journey began? What inspired you to start creating, and how has that initial spark evolved over time?

A: My artistic journey began at a very young age, I grew up watching a Disney educational series titled “Magic English” ever since I was 3 or 4, as I was born in Indonesia and English was not my first language, watching multiple episodes of that show left me in awe because the way that Disney used their animation and music back then really helped me to communicate in real life. That initial spark evolved as I started learning the fundamentals of art and music to create my own characters and my own songs.

My work as an illustrator is heavily influenced by fantasy and music. I am very inspired by the animation in old Disney classic movies, such as The Little Mermaid and The Lion King, as well as their musical numbers. The emotions that I experience and see other people experiencing in life—developing crushes, falling in love, being uncertain and doubtful about the future—inspire me to make whimsical analogies and create songs and illustrations out of it.

I usually start with songwriting, and the ideas for illustrations come from there. I begin visualising those rough ideas by sketching out with pencil and paper, and then continue to refine that idea by looking up references on Pinterest. Besides songwriting, my illustrations could also be inspired when casually practicing the fundamentals of illustration. At times, relearning things such as gesture, figure, layout, and composition inspires me to play around and experiment with what I learned, as well as refine my illustration skills to visualise the music I write.

I want my art to, first and foremost, feel like I’m doing the best to be appreciative and responsible to myself. I want my art to be honest, kind, and perhaps occasionally humorous. I hope that I could continue to do what I do and become even better, and hopefully work with like-minded artists to create even bigger productions in the future.

Q:   What have been some of the most significant moments or challenges in your journey as an artist?

A: I have always been an anxious and sensitive person, which really helped me be a lot more honest when making art. But it has been a hindrance as it lowers my self-esteem most of the time. My creative process usually starts with feeling outbursts of joy, deep confusion that leaves me stunned, or emotional tears caused by pain, I’ve learned to acknowledge these feelings and allow them to guide the art I create.

Q:   If you could offer one piece of advice to other creatives pursuing a career in visual arts, what would it be?

A: To my younger self, I would say that it’s okay to be more happy in your own bubble and that you are not and cannot be responsible for everybody’s happiness. As an artist, you are going to have a specific audience and that’s okay, as long as you do your best.

Don’t jump to conclusions too fast as if you’re going to fail for sure: Life is unpredictable and you don’t know anything for certain, so if you get really sad or angry or confused some times, just cry. Just cry, but then pick yourself up and do what you have to do as an artist: create something good from it.