As of now, I feel that I am a self-motivated visual artist who loves to explore foreign places, exciting new sights and sensations! My aim is to brighten people’s day and make people smile with fun, playful and beautiful images.
Visualizing scenes based on stories and character-based projects are something I relish and feel is my strength. Much of the imagery I enjoy creating is an exploration of childhood memories. Through my work, I try to evoke a sense of wonderment and adventure, as well as to arouse curiosity from the audience. I draw inspiration from mid-century modern illustration, animation and design - the use of bold, simplified and exaggerated graphic language is something I am particularly fond of. Colour and texture are also important elements of my work, which I use to help communicate mood within my illustrations. I identify myself as a digital artist as my preferred drawing tools are my Wacom tablet and Photoshop, though I have also developed a love for hand-cut paper illustrations over the past year.
My career goal is to produce work for nationally and internationally established clients in the publishing, and animation industries, and to have my work recognized for its quality, clarity and evocative style by my peers. Collaborating with established authors of children’s books to provide the illustrated content for their stories is one of the things I want to pursue, but I also wish to improve my writing skills in order to author my own books in the future.
I feel it is important for me to grow in a robust environment to further my career in the animation industry. For this reason, I intend to intern at an animation studio after leaving university. I will continue to connect with relevant professionals and participate in relevant networking events. Eventually, I hope to be a part of a secure and well-established company where I can continue to develop my knowledge and skills.
Personal and Professional Practice
Wednesday, 20 April 2016
Summative Evaluation OUIL 602
I never thought that I would get much from the PPP module when I first started this course in 2013, however it has proven to be one of the most beneficial and most enjoyable modules for me during these three years (even if it’s the module with the lowest credit).
Through this module I have developed and gained an awful lot of confidence not only in myself but also in my work. Talking to professionals over the year has helped me to learn more about my practice and the industry in which I would like to place myself in. It has given me real confidence to be independent, really get out there to talk about and promote my work. I feel I’ve really grown and I would never have felt this way and achieved all that I have so far if I weren’t encouraged to be proactive.
I have particularly enjoyed going to places and participating in networking events/trade shows like Comic Con, which have undoubtedly increased my connections and enhanced my business-to-business trading. Partaking in more of these events in the future is definitely something that I would like to continue doing as the experience of it all and the learning I get out of it is one of the most important things that is going to enable me to progress further in this industry. Plus I just love meeting new people and making new friends – It’s so much fun! I feel that my continued investigation has enabled me to outline a focused strategy for when I leave, giving me the assurance that I know what I'm doing/going to be doing in the next few months/years. *fingers crossed*
This year I also feel I have developed a better understanding of branding which has helped me with my own personal branding. My visual identity has been stripped right back – I’ve opted for a more simplistic design to make it more legible and memorable to others, and most importantly, to let my work speak for itself.
Overall, I feel that my engagement to the module and the industry has been very good. I have become more outgoing, motivated and thirsty for knowledge. I am hoping my enthusiasm won’t just wilt away anytime soon. The only thing I regret is not contacting people/networking sooner e.g in first year, because it actually isn't as hard as I initially thought it was going to be and is a lot of fun!
Through this module I have developed and gained an awful lot of confidence not only in myself but also in my work. Talking to professionals over the year has helped me to learn more about my practice and the industry in which I would like to place myself in. It has given me real confidence to be independent, really get out there to talk about and promote my work. I feel I’ve really grown and I would never have felt this way and achieved all that I have so far if I weren’t encouraged to be proactive.
I have particularly enjoyed going to places and participating in networking events/trade shows like Comic Con, which have undoubtedly increased my connections and enhanced my business-to-business trading. Partaking in more of these events in the future is definitely something that I would like to continue doing as the experience of it all and the learning I get out of it is one of the most important things that is going to enable me to progress further in this industry. Plus I just love meeting new people and making new friends – It’s so much fun! I feel that my continued investigation has enabled me to outline a focused strategy for when I leave, giving me the assurance that I know what I'm doing/going to be doing in the next few months/years. *fingers crossed*
This year I also feel I have developed a better understanding of branding which has helped me with my own personal branding. My visual identity has been stripped right back – I’ve opted for a more simplistic design to make it more legible and memorable to others, and most importantly, to let my work speak for itself.
Overall, I feel that my engagement to the module and the industry has been very good. I have become more outgoing, motivated and thirsty for knowledge. I am hoping my enthusiasm won’t just wilt away anytime soon. The only thing I regret is not contacting people/networking sooner e.g in first year, because it actually isn't as hard as I initially thought it was going to be and is a lot of fun!
Making Money
This guy has been emailing me since the end of day 2 of MEFCC. I finally made more prints available in my etsy shop and now he wants to order a custom made A2 poster with all the illustrations on it lol! Not sure if I've overpriced or underpriced here but this is what I feel it's worth haha - I've priced the single prints (8"x8") at £4 each so I think I've priced it fairly. Need to go post office tomorrow to find out the price to deliver a parcel to Abu Dhabi! ooh.
Tuesday, 19 April 2016
Salaam Reads
I was going to post my promo pack to them like Teresa suggested, but they're all the way in the US and I'm too impatient to wait. I've decided to send them an email instead (because it should get to them faster) and see what happens - if they don't get back to me then I'll send them my physical pack, along with some examples of work, through the post.
Monday, 18 April 2016
EOYS Proposal & Postcards
Exhibition Proposal.
(Post form here)
I kinda don't want to exhibit one specific work but rather my work/me as a whole. As of right now, I'm thinking just to have a few large prints on my allocated wall (2m x 2.5m, like the diagram below) and an imac which will have all my other work on there - but then I feel like this is a waste of space/opportunity to showcase something more exciting?
Another idea is to showcase all my paper portraits of my classmates - have all 31 of them framed and the 'yearbook' and card matching game along with it.
Postcards.
I know we're only meant to propose 3 artworks for these postcards, but I can't make up my mind. I received really good feedback on these illustrations when I sold and exhibited my work in Dubai, and people also seem to really like my Indian girl character, since I sold out of these prints on the second day of the con (the negative was that some people thought I was from India at first - oops! but this opened up a conversation between me and them so it's still a positive thing tbh), so I thought I would use them on my postcard.
Saturday, 16 April 2016
Freelance Directory
I was sent another email yesterday from Rachel (Hallmark) about filling out this freelance directory as I didn't reply to her first email months ago. I emailed her back saying I don't really understand how I'm supposed to fill it out because the template file she sent me won't let me edit the texts etc.? so I'm confused.
EDIT: 18/04/16
she replied back and attached the same template (non-editable) but in pdf instead of ai. I've filled it out as best as I can anyway and sent it back. I'm not sure if I've done it correctly, but she'll probably email me if I haven't.
Thursday, 14 April 2016
Tuesday, 12 April 2016
Lammtara Studios
I VISITED LAMMTARA AND IT WAS AMAZINGLY AWESOME!
too long to write, I will talk about it on my presentation!
DUDE. I'M STILL SO HYPED.
too long to write, I will talk about it on my presentation!
DUDE. I'M STILL SO HYPED.
Visits and things!
MEFCC bought some of my artwork to give away as prizes to their art competition winners! I thought this was quite exciting! spreading my name and work to more people! I was told to sign all my prints to make them that extra special lol. eeeeek!
This morning I visited Extra Cake! (the people behind MEFCC - I also visited last year). I was only here about 2 hours to help around with a small task. Right now I was told that they're looking for another graphic designer/someone to join their creative team and I was offered the position! - Or a freelancing kinda deal since I'm not going to be available until mid-September & I'm based in the UK (I'd love to relocate if I can afford it though! that would be amazing)
I was encouraged to visit and follow more galleries by my big sis/mentor/girl boss. She said it would be good if I could get my work in exhibited galleries, so we went to visit some today! the pictures below were taken at The Cartoon Art gallery. I realised now how much worth there is to original art pieces which made me want to go back to do more traditional paintings! I really miss it! Hopefully after uni is over, I can do more of my own projects where I can really get stuck in with things I've been wanting to do but haven't had the time to!
Monday, 11 April 2016
Awww!
What I've learnt about people is that they are so nice and supportive! Shouldn't be afraid to talk to them and make new friends! I am sooooooo thankful for everything right now!
MEFCC 2016 pt.3 - reflections
Some of the people whose work I like/went to talk to at their stalls:
Rick (arkham creative) is an artist who uses layers of paper to create images. He looked really busy when I saw him, but he made some time to have a chat with me. I told him that I also do some paper art and surprisingly he was really interested in seeing them so he came all the way to my booth and I showed him my Alice illustrations. He was sooooooo nice about it and even told me that I might even be better than him with the paper! he gave me some tips and tricks and encouraged me to come back to the next mefcc (if I can afford it lol) with some originals in frames, because people dig that stuff!
I also spoke to Noumer, he was drawing when I came to his table and a lot of his drawings reminded me of quick gestural sketches used for storyboards so I asked him if he worked in an animation studio, which he does. Infamous studios is where he works at (which is one of the studios I wrote down to visit), I asked him if they do any visits etc, but he wasn't sure and suggested I contacted the manager, which I never got around to do in the end.. maybe next time.
Amin Fara's illustrations were absolutely beautiful! digital and he uses a lot of shapes - I asked him if he uses the lasso tool to create his drawings to which he said "Yes, 99% of the time!". gotta love the lasso tool.
some of the people who came to me:
people on the left are fellow artists/students. people on right are writers/directors from companies.
MEFCC 2016 pt.2 - showtime!
Thursday 7th April - Comic Con day 1
Set up my booth 2 hours before opening hours - I really had a good spot this year! I was allocated a corner booth and I was able to have 2 sides open. People were able to see my work from far and from both angles which I think helped a lot. initially, I wanted to create something specifically for MEFCC but just couldn't find the time! So most of the stuff I exhibited and had for sale were work from last year, but I found that this wasn't necessarily a bad thing - I sold them at a discounted price and I actually made more sales than I did last year!
Before the halls (got crowed) were opened to visitors, the exhibitors usually have a walk around to see what's in store at their neighbour's booths and tables. I had just finished setting up everything when James Mulligan (Jimmy), who is a Disney artist stopped by my booth! I was like, OMG I know this face! He said I had some great work on show and we took a picture (but not a great one and I looked such a mess so a smiley was needed to replace my face)! He was sooooo nice to me and I was able to pick up a sweet signed original piece from him (which is getting framed as soon I get myself a frame when I get back)! I also asked how he got into Disney and if he's working on something right now for them - he said he's working on some 'Moana' (disney's upcoming animated feature film) stuff right now, which is sooooo exciting! This was the highlight of the first day for me yay! :D
Friday 8th April - Comic Con day 2
Start of the weekend in Dubai is Friday (Sunday is a work day), so this was the busiest day out of all three days! This was the day when I ran out of my bharatanatyam and kabuki ladies print! They sold out like hot cakes especially my bharatanatyam ladies (my fave one as well tbh - thats why the character made it on my roll up banner)! I received an email after the second day of the con from one of the guys who bought these prints to ask if he can buy more from the series:
I also made some prints of the illustrations from my Malala book, which was quite popular too but a lot of people wanted a larger print, which I didn't have with me, so I told them to email me if they still wanted it and I can ship it to them from the UK. I think next time I'm going to make some large prints to sell because people also asked for this last year as well!
I gained a small handful of followers on my Instagram account from last years comic con and it was really nice of them to come see me again this year. Some actually specifically said that they came there to look for me and wanted a picture with me (which at first I felt embarrassed about because I don't feel like I'm anything yet). I felt so blessed and so honoured, really. The publisher that got in touch with me also came to see me to see how I was doing! I didn't recognise him when he came by but then he said his name and I remembered! I thought he was an older man at first, but after seeing him that day, he's probably still in his 20s!
On this day, I also met a fellow Indonesian artist! He lives in Jakarta and works at an advertising agency there. We had a bit of a chat about art events that happen there and studios/places I could go visit (for when I go later this August). He also gave me some pieces of his work, but I just couldn't accept them for free after all the effort he went through to get his book printed + flight to dubai! So we swapped - I gave him my Alice print and my Game On: Gurlz zine. A lot of things happened on Friday but it would take ages to write and I can't be bothered. Over all, it was another good, long and busy day!
Saturday 9th April - Comic Con day 3
This is the day that people realise its the last day of the con and their last chance to buy things. So visitor number had gone down but still busy (just not as busy as Friday). I sold a few of the larger pieces I had on display (since these were the only ones I had, I told people who were interested in purchasing them to come on the last day if they wanted it - and they did! yaaaaas!). I did most of my shopping on this last day too - I bought some superhero themed cushions (can't wait to get a place of my own and decorate!), some gifts for friends and bro who wanted to come but broke his thumb instead and a print from Des Taylor, who I first met at Thoughtbubble a few years ago but now I feel like I've known him for longer. He's given me the nickname of 'trouble' now because I keep seeing him everywhere haha (but he's also a good friend of my friend). He gave me his really nicely printed, A3 signed print at a discounted price and told me to grab another one for free! I was like are you serious?! and he was dead serious, so I gave him my zine in exchange. He told me I've improved so much with my character drawings, he said he was impressed with the fluidity and how I can really capture the movement of my sports girls, which really means a lot to me!
Minutes before 10pm (closing time) I went back to Jimmy's stall and gifted him with my last zine, so he can have something to remember me by lol! And guess what?! he also gave me a free signed print and a hug in exchange!
This year's MEFCC has been soooooo good, even though I was on my own (had mother by my side last year for moral support haha)! I was less nervous than my first time and I interacted more with the people and made new friends! Hope I can come back next year with better work!
Set up my booth 2 hours before opening hours - I really had a good spot this year! I was allocated a corner booth and I was able to have 2 sides open. People were able to see my work from far and from both angles which I think helped a lot. initially, I wanted to create something specifically for MEFCC but just couldn't find the time! So most of the stuff I exhibited and had for sale were work from last year, but I found that this wasn't necessarily a bad thing - I sold them at a discounted price and I actually made more sales than I did last year!
Before the halls (got crowed) were opened to visitors, the exhibitors usually have a walk around to see what's in store at their neighbour's booths and tables. I had just finished setting up everything when James Mulligan (Jimmy), who is a Disney artist stopped by my booth! I was like, OMG I know this face! He said I had some great work on show and we took a picture (but not a great one and I looked such a mess so a smiley was needed to replace my face)! He was sooooo nice to me and I was able to pick up a sweet signed original piece from him (which is getting framed as soon I get myself a frame when I get back)! I also asked how he got into Disney and if he's working on something right now for them - he said he's working on some 'Moana' (disney's upcoming animated feature film) stuff right now, which is sooooo exciting! This was the highlight of the first day for me yay! :D
Friday 8th April - Comic Con day 2
Start of the weekend in Dubai is Friday (Sunday is a work day), so this was the busiest day out of all three days! This was the day when I ran out of my bharatanatyam and kabuki ladies print! They sold out like hot cakes especially my bharatanatyam ladies (my fave one as well tbh - thats why the character made it on my roll up banner)! I received an email after the second day of the con from one of the guys who bought these prints to ask if he can buy more from the series:
I also made some prints of the illustrations from my Malala book, which was quite popular too but a lot of people wanted a larger print, which I didn't have with me, so I told them to email me if they still wanted it and I can ship it to them from the UK. I think next time I'm going to make some large prints to sell because people also asked for this last year as well!
I gained a small handful of followers on my Instagram account from last years comic con and it was really nice of them to come see me again this year. Some actually specifically said that they came there to look for me and wanted a picture with me (which at first I felt embarrassed about because I don't feel like I'm anything yet). I felt so blessed and so honoured, really. The publisher that got in touch with me also came to see me to see how I was doing! I didn't recognise him when he came by but then he said his name and I remembered! I thought he was an older man at first, but after seeing him that day, he's probably still in his 20s!
On this day, I also met a fellow Indonesian artist! He lives in Jakarta and works at an advertising agency there. We had a bit of a chat about art events that happen there and studios/places I could go visit (for when I go later this August). He also gave me some pieces of his work, but I just couldn't accept them for free after all the effort he went through to get his book printed + flight to dubai! So we swapped - I gave him my Alice print and my Game On: Gurlz zine. A lot of things happened on Friday but it would take ages to write and I can't be bothered. Over all, it was another good, long and busy day!
Saturday 9th April - Comic Con day 3
This is the day that people realise its the last day of the con and their last chance to buy things. So visitor number had gone down but still busy (just not as busy as Friday). I sold a few of the larger pieces I had on display (since these were the only ones I had, I told people who were interested in purchasing them to come on the last day if they wanted it - and they did! yaaaaas!). I did most of my shopping on this last day too - I bought some superhero themed cushions (can't wait to get a place of my own and decorate!), some gifts for friends and bro who wanted to come but broke his thumb instead and a print from Des Taylor, who I first met at Thoughtbubble a few years ago but now I feel like I've known him for longer. He's given me the nickname of 'trouble' now because I keep seeing him everywhere haha (but he's also a good friend of my friend). He gave me his really nicely printed, A3 signed print at a discounted price and told me to grab another one for free! I was like are you serious?! and he was dead serious, so I gave him my zine in exchange. He told me I've improved so much with my character drawings, he said he was impressed with the fluidity and how I can really capture the movement of my sports girls, which really means a lot to me!
Minutes before 10pm (closing time) I went back to Jimmy's stall and gifted him with my last zine, so he can have something to remember me by lol! And guess what?! he also gave me a free signed print and a hug in exchange!
This year's MEFCC has been soooooo good, even though I was on my own (had mother by my side last year for moral support haha)! I was less nervous than my first time and I interacted more with the people and made new friends! Hope I can come back next year with better work!
Sunday, 10 April 2016
MEFCC 2016 pt.1 - before con
Tuesday 5th April - 2 days before
Arrived in Dubai at 7:25 am then took a taxi to my friends apartment. Had a bit of a nap then went to the beach in the afternoon to catch the sunset. If you're thinking of visiting Dubai, good time to go is around this time as it isn't too hot and there is always a really nice breeze! in the summer is too humid, the air feels thick and all you wanna do is stay inside - though there is a lot of things to see and do inside too, but you're on holiday damn it - go outside.
Wednesday 6th April - 1 day before
Helped organisers and volunteers with some work before the con opened - helped pack 3,000 of these vip ticket holders' goodie bags and other tasks. It was a lot of fun and I made new friends with some of the volunteers, but it was VERY tiring and labour intensive. We went back to the apartment at 1 in the morning or something crazy like that.
Arrived in Dubai at 7:25 am then took a taxi to my friends apartment. Had a bit of a nap then went to the beach in the afternoon to catch the sunset. If you're thinking of visiting Dubai, good time to go is around this time as it isn't too hot and there is always a really nice breeze! in the summer is too humid, the air feels thick and all you wanna do is stay inside - though there is a lot of things to see and do inside too, but you're on holiday damn it - go outside.
Wednesday 6th April - 1 day before
Helped organisers and volunteers with some work before the con opened - helped pack 3,000 of these vip ticket holders' goodie bags and other tasks. It was a lot of fun and I made new friends with some of the volunteers, but it was VERY tiring and labour intensive. We went back to the apartment at 1 in the morning or something crazy like that.
Monday, 4 April 2016
Saturday, 2 April 2016
Studio Visits!
I've been emailing some Dubai based studios (5 to be exact!) these past few days, to ask if I could pop in and see all the magic, but I haven't had a reply yet because the weekend starts on Friday in Dubai and working day starts Sunday! Hopefully hear back from them tomorrow. *fingers crossed*. The studios I really want to visit are Barajoun and Lammtara though! - I decided to ask my friend/big sis/comic con project manager if she actually knows anyone from any of the two studios and SHE DOES, AND I AM SO HAPPY! I might be able to visit BOTH studios! I'm super excited!
If I had to choose between the two, I'd like to go to Barajoun! because they made this movie! (not in cinemas yet but the trailer looks super!):
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