Illustrator Spotlight: Lisa Wee

 

© Lisa Wee


March 1, 2021

It's the first of the month so we feature illustrator Lisa Wee and her banner design for Kidlit411. Her design was among the twelve winning banners from our Kidlit411 Banner Contest. 


© Lisa Wee


Tell us about yourself and how you came to illustrate for children.


My name is Lisa Wee. Growing up, I was surrounded by comic and story books. I would spend hours pouring over the pictures and spend ever more hours sketching. My family always thought art is a hobby a girl can have, not a career to focus my time on. As time went on, I went into a conservative career, nursing. It was an amazing career which I find myself excelling in, to a point that I received an award for. On a deeper level, I felt I was living someone else life (my parents, patients, and community) 


© Lisa Wee


So I decided to go to Kenya. There, I was given the opportunity to teach art. Teaching children from diverse backgrounds (from slum areas to the most exclusive schools) opened my eyes to the need of diversity and inclusivity within children publication. 



© Lisa Wee

I went back to university to study illustration. Today, I worked with fabulous authors and small magazines and publishers who felt the same way as me. 


© Lisa Wee



Congrats on your banner design for Kidlit411! How did you approach the assignment?


My style has always been quaint, quirky and vibrant with the key focus of diversity and inclusivity. I used the understanding that diverse children love different things from their reading material as shown in my quint little birds. 


© Lisa Wee



Plus birds are always fun to draw. They have personalities that are relatable.


Tell us about your recent book that you've illustrated.


I am so proud to be illustrating my current project. It is about Dr Wu Lien-Teh. In 1910, Dr Wu Lien-teh, born in British Malaya (Malaysia) led a successful fight to suppress a plague outbreak in Harbin, northeast China, with face masks as one of his weapons. He was the original creator of the N95 mask. He came from my hometown, Penang. Small world for one of his relatives, who was living in Boston, connected and asked me to illustrate the picture book for them.


© Lisa Wee



What advice would you give to aspiring illustrators?


As an illustrator, being unique is important. Your unique voice matters in an industry that speaks to children. Having a killer portfolio that is unique will help you establish your voice.  Don't follow trends, stand out. Learn from the best and follow their principles. Every year, I would enroll in classes that challenge my style and refine my voice. This year,  I am doing Storyteller Academy. I am having a great time refining my basics and expanding my skill. I am grateful to learn.


© Lisa Wee

© Lisa Wee



What is one thing most people don't know about you?


I am an amateur hiker and a huge coffee drinker. My secret super power is my day job, I worked with frail seniors in a nursing home. I create leisure programme that meant to entice these seniors to dance, sing and draw like me (just kidding, they draw with more heart).


© Lisa Wee


Where can people find you online?


I belong to a great community of illustrators and run by the amazing, Darren Di Lieto. Here is my website  https://www.hireanillustrator.com/i/portfolio/lisa-wee/

I have a fabulous illustrative agent, Allied Artists,UK. 

https://www.alliedartists-illustration.com/portfolio/lisa-wee/


© Lisa Wee


 


Lisa Wee is a children's illustrator who uses Procreate, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign. Creating quaint, quirky and vibrant  characters with the key focus on diversity and inclusivity. Her speciality is picture, chapter book and editorial illustration. Graduated from University of Hertfordshire,UK with 2nd class honours. A coffee drinker, self-professed bookworm, and amateur hiker


Awards: Bronze Award Japan Illustrator Association 2020 Award, Adelaide Books Children’s Literature and Illustration Award, 1st Annual Contest 2019:Shortlisted nominee winner, 2013 Nominated in Five Degree Invigorate banking illustration, 50th Anniversary Mary Poppins FanArt Walt Disney Exhibition



 

 

Comments

  1. I love your work Lisa! The movement or the stillness is so fitting. My best to you...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Loved this interview, and Lisa's style. I'm so glad you've found a way to do the work you love!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I loved reading about your artistic journey. How wonderful to have not one, but two, fulfilling careers simultaneously!

    ReplyDelete

  4. The best thing about Escorts Service in Mahipalpur, Delhi agency is that we have not just a few college girls for you to choose from but a whole collection of erotic girls simply waiting to have sex with their clients and it would not be courteous to not fulfill a girl’s wishes, right? If you are concerned about how you the whole booking will be carried out and other questions about the mode of payment then you can call us at Call Girls in Jaipur, Delhi agency and one of our receptionists will be glad to help you out.
    Escorts Service in Vasant Vihar
    Escorts Service in Aerocity
    Housewife Escorts in Gurgaon
    Call Girls in Paharganj

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment