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
I love your work Lisa! The movement or the stillness is so fitting. My best to you...
ReplyDeleteLoved this interview, and Lisa's style. I'm so glad you've found a way to do the work you love!
ReplyDeleteI loved reading about your artistic journey. How wonderful to have not one, but two, fulfilling careers simultaneously!
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