Meet Indonesian artist and illustrator, Diela Maharanie.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Diela Maharanie is a self-taught artist and illustrator. My works are mostly bright and colorful filled with vibrant patterns of super-saturated hues but also hint a mystery for the character. I have worked for brands like Instagram, Apple, Adidas, Tiket.com and more. For me, the best thing about being an illustrator is producing images for diverse content.

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

Actually I was born and raised in South Tangerang, it is near south Jakarta, but I went to school and also worked in Jakarta so mostly my life was spent in between those two cities, Jakarta is the capital city of Indonesia, and it’s one busy city but the people are friendly. Living in Jakarta sometimes can be hard but it has a lot to offers.

For me, the best thing about being an illustrator is producing images for diverse content.

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

The best about Jakarta, I think is that the people are friendly and it has so many creative people and the food is awesome. The worst thing is the traffic.

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

Resilience

Competitive

Exciting

How did you start your career in art?

I don’t have any educational background in art or illustration. I went to study economics and majored in audit but I really love to draw since I was a kid. When I was in college I joined the platform Deviantart where I post my sketches and drawings. I got my first commissioned work from there and I also met other creatives from Jakarta. Everything just flowed from there and I decided to leave my work as an accountant to pursue my career as an illustrator. I’m very glad that I made that decision. To me working as an illustrator is a real blessing because I enjoy working as a creative. I love working on exciting projects with varied clients where I can express my ideas and bring them to life.

To me working as an illustrator is a real blessing because I enjoy working as a creative. I love working on exciting projects with varied clients where I can express my ideas and bring them to life.

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

My parents at first doubted my decision but they’ve been supportive all the way. My friends are also supportive when I decided to jump from work as an accountant to become an illustrator, they believe that I could be one.

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

I hope to still make good art.

I hope to still make good art.

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

I want to work with Philip Pullman and Neil Gaiman because I love their works. I would love to illustrate their books.

How would you describe the women around you?

Hard-working, sincere and kind people.

Hard-working, sincere and kind people.

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

My mom. She was a dressmaker and she taught me how to mix and match patterns and colors since I was a kid. Somehow it showed in my illustrations how I love to play with colors, patterns, and textures. I think I got it from her.

Are there any challenging aspects of being a female in your industry?

As for my experience, I don’t find any challenging aspects as we are treated by our works and professionalism not by our gender.

Just do your best. Be passionate about what you do and be yourself.

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

Just do your best. Be passionate about what you do and be yourself.

Photos courtesy of Diela Maharanie.