Your work is vibrant and narrative-rich in murals, editorial, and character design. Did you ever have a moment where you thought, “This is my style, this is my identity”?
I’ve always drawn inspiration from my surroundings, the people, places, and the vibrant culture I grew up in. My style is a natural reflection of the world around me. I’ve long been drawn to bold, expressive colours and thick strokes. It was never a conscious decision to define a “style”, but over time, as I explored and grew comfortable with certain mediums, this visual language evolved organically into what feels most true to me.
You’ve transitioned from working in structured ad studios to full-time independent illustration. What motivated that decision? And creatively, how has it changed the way you think about your work?
I always aspired to be a freelance visual artist, but I ended up spending over eight years in the corporate world. Working in ad agencies never brought me joy; I felt disconnected from the kind of work I truly wanted to do. I longed to create meaningful art and tell stories through my visuals, but I found myself caught in the constant hustle of the advertising industry.
Eventually, I made a conscious decision to step away from that structured environment and rediscover the world on my terms. I wanted to build something of my own, create my art and slowly start a few creative ventures. That journey is still unfolding, but it has already been the most creatively fulfilling decision I’ve ever made.
I realised I could never truly grow under someone whose vision didn’t align with mine. That’s what I had been struggling with throughout my time in the corporate world. Leaving was a long-overdue step toward finding my own voice.
You create across formats—murals, editorial, digital, and advertising. How do you shift your mindset for each? Are some projects more fulfilling?
Read the full article & much more in the Print Edition of Issue 68