WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME AN ILLUSTRATOR, AND HOW HAS YOUR CULTURAL BACKGROUND SHAPED YOUR ARTISTIC STYLE?
It’s taken me years and years to become a professional illustrator but I've been an artist my whole life. I call it my artist odyssey! I have so many trials and tribulations but this is the short-ish version.
I grew up a creative little girl in the heart of Minneapolis, always drawing, painting and making up stories. My earliest memory was my supportive grandma helping me make my artist portfolio, at five years old. I still have it! Can you imagine a 5 year old already with a portfolio? Ha! I was having fun yet pretty serious back then of my craft. I also have a note in there from my kindergarten teacher saying she “loved my drawings and maybe I’d be a children's book illustrator someday!”...
That led to my encouraging mom signing me up to extra art classes outside of school, to eventually getting accepted into The Minneapolis College of Art and Design. At MCAD I had 2 big AHA moments ofbecoming an illustrator. First, I felt in between two worlds (this is a recurring theme in my life), not “artsy” enough to be a fine art gallery painter and not corporate enough to be a graphic artist. I saw the Illustration major and felt a pull like no other. It was just right for me, I could be a commercial artist. During the Illustration BFA program I took a product design class and realized, whoa, this is it for me… My art on products! Children's books, greeting cards, art prints, stickers, fabric collections and more. What a dream!
As a Japanese, Irish, Swedish, American girl, I can say the golden thread through my life is “feeling in between”. Not all this, not all that. It’s confusing for many others, but not me. It’s my super power! I was born a rebel :) I'm usually happiest expressing myself and representing marginalized folks by taking traditional cultural motifs, mixing them up into new sparkling colorful ideas. In my art you’ll see Japanese ink styles and kawaii elements. Scandi symmetry embroidery patterns, celtic swirls, and my own rich rainbow color palette that represents all humanity.
WHAT’S ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE SPREADS YOU’VE ILLUSTRATED, AND WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL TO YOU?
Honestly, I’m so proud of this Nana and Abuela cover art. Cover art is hard! You need to encompass the whole book in one place, in an eye-catching way. I think I captured the overall feel of the book. The silhouette of the heart, with Nana, Abuela and Luna having a good ol time. Listening, loving, accepting and meeting where everyone is presently. That’s what it’s all about.
The patterns are inspired by Mexican and Scandinavian patterns and floral elements. Nana is yellow and blue, calm and collected nature, Abuela is pinks and fiery reds like her spirit. Luna has a mix of both in her outfit to represent she comes from both worlds. Her eyes are big because she sees the world differently, more open perhaps, even though her language might not be up to par yet.
Of course the pets are included too because they give the story extra fun and hints along the way. They are also based on my own beloved pets Cinnamon and Sasha. Friendly reminder, “Life imitates art far more than art imitates Life.” Oscar Wilde.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING BIPOC ILLUSTRATORS TRYING TO BREAK INTO KIDLIT?
No matter what, keep going. Keep making art. Once you stop, you might have actually failed. So don’t stop! Ha! So keep making art, for you, friends, family, your audience. Whatever tickles your fancy, will also tickle someone else and lift up their day just by you creating. Share it with the world, upload your portfolio to your own branded website, join SCBWI, post on social media what you do, don’t hide, share your art and your audience will come. They are your people, they will lift you higher. The ones that offer you advice but actually aren't actually helpful… Stay away from the wet blankets.
A couple of not so fun things but important things… Get an accountant so you pay your taxes right, show up on time (early is even better! To scout things out for yourself and calm the nerves, for interviews, meetings, pop ups, scouting a new place to make art…etc), and most of all, reach out for help if you don’t know how to do something and pay it forward. That builds authentic connection and community. You can find me all the time at: www.emikorainbow.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emikorainbow/
