Illustrations that Push Boundaries and Spark a Social Change!

I have always been passionate about art, and I’m lucky to have had parents who supported and encouraged my dream of becoming an artist. Growing up, I took an art class where I discovered the connection between art and design. After high school, I attended a design college, where I spent four years exploring the diverse industry and eventually found my passion for illustration and storytelling. Although I knew I wanted to be an independent creative, I realised I lacked knowledge about running a business and working with clients. To gain experience, I worked at design studios for about five years before venturing into full-time freelance work. In the two years since, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with dream clients such as Penguin Random House and Snapchat. Seeing my work out in the world with my name on it has been an incredible and surreal experience.

All of these themes hold special meaning to me as I have grown older. I feel that these topics are often difficult to discuss openly, and some are even seen as taboo in our Indian culture. However, I believe that we are the ones who shape and form culture. The more I talk about these issues, the more I am creating space for others to talk about sensitive topics like depression, gender expression, and sexuality. The internet and social media have allowed more people than ever to access information and engage in dialogue with different groups of people. I want to use my little space on the internet to create safer spaces for people to learn and grow.

Mumbai has truly been the city of dreams for me. It has opened me up to so many different people, cultures, and, most importantly, stories. Catching an auto, standing in the heat with an icy glass of nimbu pani, sharing a seat in a local train, a night of karaoke, visiting shops and vendors, or going to art galleries - all of this has led me into so many stories I would have never encountered had I not been in this city. Mumbai is always on the go, but it never seems to leave behind its people. The community here is what makes it so magical.

I often find myself pondering this question. At times, it seems like luck has played a significant role and that these projects have simply fallen into my lap. However, I am working on changing this mindset. The truth is, I have been dedicated to consistently honing my craft and fostering my personal growth. Initially, I didn’t have the resources or knowledge to create my own website, so I utilised my Instagram page as a portfolio. I regularly shared pages from my sketchbooks, offered glimpses into my daily life, and produced work that reflected my passions and values, allowing my creative voice to shine through. I believe that this approach has led me to collaborate with amazing clients. I am also grateful for the industry contacts who have genuinely appreciated my work and advocated for me in influential circles.

Describing my style is challenging as it has evolved organically over time, with changing colours, lines, and characters. Influenced by many online artists and illustrators, my style reflects what I consume. More importantly, I focus on my voice—who I am and what I want to convey. My distinctive style comes from this strong, consistent voice in my work.

I recently had the chance to work on a comic for an educational app for kids. The comic told the story of Garcia De Orta, a physician, author, herbalist, and much more. He made his way to Goa during turbulent times and ended up having an incredible garden named after him in the main city of Panjim. Since he was a herbalist and botanist, the comic had many panels that showcased his gardens. This required me to draw lots of plants, flowers, trees, and shrubbery. This project was special, not only because of the natural elements but also because it documents my home state of Goa.

I’ve been fortunate to mostly work with great clients who are quick to address my concerns and handle the financial aspects of the project. There are always one or two clients who delay payments, requiring me to chase after them for months, but I think that’s just part of freelance life as it stands now.

Lately, I have noticed that brands and companies are placing more emphasis on storytelling rather than just creating one-off campaigns or ads. People are recognising the significance of communicating and connecting with the audience in a way that involves them. It's been fascinating to witness this evolution, especially since India has a rich history of storytelling and such a diverse audience.

Focus on your voice, and the style will follow. The art and design space is constantly changing, making it hard to keep up at times. This also means that clients' demands will keep changing. Having a strong and distinctive voice that feels authentic will help you establish yourself and carve out a unique space in the industry.

I hope to experiment more in the next five years, exploring different mediums to see what I am capable of when I scale up.