Meet Thai illustrator, Ise Ananphada.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am a freelance illustrator. I like to watch movies, play games and read comics.

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

I live in a town near Bangkok called Nonthaburi. In this town, it doesn’t have many skyscrapers. It is still rich in nature. With the main river and streams cutting through the town. People in this area still do a lot of farming especially durian farms.

The best thing about living in this town is that it is less crowded than Bangkok. The atmosphere is nicer and still rich in nature.

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

The best thing about living in this town is that it is less crowded than Bangkok. The atmosphere is nicer and still rich in nature. On the contrary, traveling into Bangkok city center is quite challenging. It takes an hour and a half to get into town. Additionally, the traffic is extremely bad likewise Bangkok in the rush hour because there are only a few streets that can access this Nonthaburi area.

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

Nature – peaceful – freedom

How did you start your career in art?

It happened after my bachelor’s degree graduation, when I started sending my portfolio to magazines to seek for an illustration job. And that is how my career started.

It happened after my bachelor’s degree graduation, when I started sending my portfolio to magazines to seek for an illustration job. And that is how my career started.

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

People around me are quite supportive, especially my family. Though when I chose to study art, they were quite hesitant. They were worried that this art career path might not be as secure as other jobs such as being a doctor, engineer, or job in finance. But then again, I have proven to them that I could make a living out of the career I chose.

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

I had set so many goals when I was younger. I still remember them but I would say that my life has come in a different direction as I had imagined. In years gone by, I have become more realistic. Now, I am focusing on the present. I do what I can with the time and talent I got at this present moment. So, my future is now. I believe if today I do good tomorrow will be better.

My future is now. I believe if today I do good tomorrow will be better.

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

I wouldn’t dare to say who I would love to work with LOL. I love to play games, thus I love the work of Wes Anderson and Kojima Hideo. There is something in their works that touches me.

Anyway, my greatest wish would be to collaborate with Womanhood. That would be splendid.

How would you describe the women around you?

I have been living with a family of three ladies; me, my sister, and my mom. Also, I grew up in a boarding school for girls. From my experience, women are strong yet very sensitive and very emotional. I couldn’t deny that my work is influenced by the people around me. Thus, most of my work became a maximum style.

From my experience, women are strong yet very sensitive and very emotional

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

There is none. In the past, there were not a lot of female artists. Men had a central role in the art industry.

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

I feel that when it comes to art gender does not matter because art is personal. I believe each person has their sense of art no matter what gender they are.

Be patient, diligent and have an open mind for new things in life.

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

Be patient, diligent and have an open mind for new things in life.

Photos courtesy of Ise Ananphada.