One of the goals of my blog is to review and recommend books, artwork and artists from around the globe. I am delighted to have my first Indonesian illustrator on Miss Marple’s Musings today.
[JM] Illustrator or author/illustrator? If the latter, do you begin with words or pictures?
[WL] Pictures, I’m a visual person. I imagine the theme first in my mind and then arrange the words from it.
[JM] Where are you from/have you lived and how has that influenced your work?
[WL] I born in Malang City, Indonesia and I love to draw since I was in the kindergarden. And also I’m a manga-anime freak and hardcore reader. Because Malang is a small town, there are not many people or friends that shared the interest with me. So this situation drove myself into Surabaya, bigger city than Malang to pursue my passion in drawing.
In this city, I met my husband which is also an illustrator and he teaches me a lot, even now. And with my twin boys present, the children book is my world now.
My kids’ book and their favourite show, Sarah and Duck.
[JM] Tell us a little of your beginnings and journey as an artist.
[WL] Being an illustrator in my country is a job that many people don’t appreciate yet. Despite of that, I’m very sure this is my career that I want to pursue. I studied Visual Communication Design at Ciputra University Surabaya and I met a lot of people who have the same passion with me, including my husband.
I love to create story and my university support any kind of entrepreneurs. One day, they invited an editor from big publisher in Indonesia and I took my chance there. I had published one title with them “Our Little Adventures”, an English-Indonesian vocabulary books for children. And from there, my journey as author/illustrator begins.
[JM] What is your preferred medium to work in?
[WL] Digital mostly, but I can work in watercolor, marker, and crayons
Do you have themes or characters you return to in your art?
Children and fantasy. I always love the story about them. They never stop making me dream.
[JM] Can you share a piece or two for us, hopefully from BEAUTIFUL ME BEAUTIFUL YOU, and the process of creating them?
[WL] Firstly, the client sent me the spesifications about what she wants and looks like. I always start from there. After that, I began to give her rough sketches and when she agreed, I’ll continue to the finals.
[JM] Which book do you remember buying with your own money as a kid?
[WL] Harry Potter, I remembered queuing at the bookstore with so many lines.
[JM] What does your workspace look like?
[WL] I love my space clean and minimalize
[JM] What creative organizations do you belong to and that have helped your career?
[WL] For now, there isn’t any. I’m going solo.
[JM] Well, I have great news for you, there is a local Indonesian chapter of the best organization you could possibly join as a children’s book, illustrator, the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) http://indonesia.scbwi.org
Five Fun Ones to Finish? [JM] What’s your favorite park (local/state/urban..) in the world?
[WL] I never go to any, so I’m not sure…
[JM] Cats or dogs?
[WL] Dogs, I love their round eyes and their playfulness
[JM] Fact that most people don’t know about you?
[WL] I’m a humorous but conventional person. Many people think that I’m a serious and perfectionist person, but I’m not 🙂
[JM] What as your first paid job?
[WL] Ballet dancer when I was a kid and then an illustrator for a trading card game
[JM] Go to snack/drink to sustain your creative juices?
[WL] Chocolate, definitely chocolate
Winda’s artwork link: https://www.instagram.com/winda_lee88/
also a webtoon that Winda creates weekly:
http://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/gummys-diary/list?title_no=20390
Good luck with all your creative endeavors, Winda!
Please reply to jdmarple@gmail.com (or use dropbox) using jpegs and also attach a photo of yourself and your social media links and as many photos/illos as you want. Many thanks.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
I think it’s wonderful that Winda persevered with her illustration career despite the lack of resources where she grew up. Her illustrations are adorable! I hope she’ll continue to find success in her chosen field.
I do so agree. We have so many resources at our finger tips and I am always impressed with those who make it work with so much less or alone!
I love Winda’s passion and determination to pursue her art. I’m glad she finally connected with a network of individuals who shared her interests. Her illustrations are simple, but charming and colorful. Wishing Winda a very bright future as an author/illustrator.
I love her social media makes it possible for us to know an artist like Winda better!