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Isuri

Isuri

Meet illustrator from Sri Lanka, Isuri.

 

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am an artist based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. I graduated from Columbus College of Art & Design with a BFA in Illustration. These days, I’m working on two adventure comic books; Podi (Oni Press), a shrink-fiction story about two sisters trying to find their baby brother and escape a tropical garden full of enormous beasts; and Aarthi & The Land of Salt (Scholastic), a story of twelve year old Aarthi, her new friend and her younger siblings, who discover the secret world of an abandoned saltern.

 

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

The part of Colombo I live in, Borella; is a busy town. Traffic is generally terrible, but a fruit cup from Fresheez or a tuk ride down parliament lake on a particularly windy Sunday evening usually makes up for it.

 

Best thing(s); the morning chorus of birds, an old overgrown cemetery and pink sunsets

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

Best thing(s); the morning chorus of birds, an old overgrown cemetery and pink sunsets—the worst thing, that one road in the middle of the busiest junction in town that’s always being dug-up for repairs.

 

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

Busy, niche, challenging.

 

How did you start your career in art?

I graduated from art college with a BFA in Illustration (in 2012) and I’ve been working as a freelance illustrator. Since then I’ve taken on work projects that include children’s book, editorial, commercial, and comic book work.

 

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

Very lucky in this way, my parents have been the most supportive—always with the encouraging words, never questioning my decision to learn and pursue a career in art.

 

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

To tell good stories and to make good comics.

 

To tell good stories and to make good comics.

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

Too many to choose from!

 

How would you describe the women around you?

Kind, strong and funny.

Kind, strong and funny.

 

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

I’ve always been inspired by Sybil Wettasinghe—an artist whose children’s books I adored and grew up reading.

 

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

The visual art industry is still a small one around these parts and being compensated fairly for creative work has been one of the main challenges.

 

 Always be kind to yourself, never stop growing and remember to drink plenty of water.

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

 Always be kind to yourself, never stop growing and remember to drink plenty of water.

 

 

Photos courtesy of Isuri.

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