Meet illustrator from Montpellier, Aditi Kakade Beaufrand

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hello, I am an Indian children’s book illustrator based in the south of France since 2 years. I m represented by Advocate art agency. I love bright colors and simple shapes as well as cute stories to make children and adult dream

Describe the city you’re living in and what it’s like to live there.

I live in a village close to the beach in the south of France. I can enjoy the tranquility of a daily life in a typical French village. Our village is located 10 minutes away from a city that provides all the social life I need

I live in a village close to the beach in the south of France. I can enjoy the tranquility of a daily life in a typical French village. Our village is located 10 minutes away from a city that provides all the social life I need

What is the best and worst thing about living in your city?

The best thing about our locality is the calm. It s so peaceful that’s the only thing bothering us are the birds waking us in the (extremely) early morning, hahaha.

Give us 3 words that describe what it’s like to be a creative in your city.

Peaceful
Inspiring
Rich Culture

How did you start your career in art?

I was always drawn to art as my parents are architects and painters. So since I can remember I wanted to create stuff. As I grew I orientated my career to the 3D world of animation. During the years of studies I realised I am more drawn towards the creative part which is character design, concept art and illustration

I was always drawn to art as my parents are architects and painters. So since I can remember I wanted to create stuff. As I grew I orientated my career to the 3D world of animation. During the years of studies I realised I am more drawn towards the creative part which is character design, concept art and illustration

Were the people around you supportive of your decision on working as a creative?

Yes. They were extremely supportive and they gave me the right tools and time to look for my style and establish myself

What are some goals and ambitions you have for your future work?

My aim is to be able to write, illustrate and publish my own stories based in India or with Indian characters. I would like to write stories by exchanging the villains in place of the heroes and tell that story

My aim is to be able to write, illustrate and publish my own stories based in India or with Indian characters. I would like to write stories by exchanging the villains in place of the heroes and tell that story

If you could collaborate with any person in the world who would it be?

I would love to collaborate with Fiction children book writers and have a sense of community between all the artist from around the world

What are the biggest challenges you face in working as a creative?

the intensity of work
The density of project can vary so much from one month to the other that sometimes there is 3 or even 4 projects at the same time and deadlines become a tricky goal to achieve

My mother and my sister are artists so we understand each other’s very well and the passion each of us put in our work represents the drive we have as a family.

How would you describe the women around you?

My mother and my sister are artists so we understand each other’s very well and the passion each of us put in our work represents the drive we have as a family

Were there any local female creatives that you looked up to when you were growing up?

There were not many local females who where doing the kind of art that I was interested in. Later on while studying in university I discovered many female artists and mentors.

Always be artistically active

Do you have any advice for other women who are aspiring to work in your field?

Always be artistically active

What type of music do you like to listen to?

I like ambience music and a bit of Pop

What’s your favorite local food spot?

I love to go to an Irish bar where there is a cozy atmosphere or places presenting food from around the world like Les Halles du lez near our village

Minet Kim asks: What are the three words that describe you?

passionate determined colorful

Damien Jeon asks: Do you draw everyday? or sometimes you skip a few days?

I draw everyday even when there is no work. It my way to relax and get ideas out of my head and put them on paper

What question would you like us to ask the next artist?

How many projects do they take up at a time? Does it affect your creative method if you have to make quick submissions and meet multiple deadlines.

Photos courtesy of Aditi Kakade Beaufrand