Meet illustrator and mural artist from Bali, Yessi Nur Mulianawati aka Yessiow

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Yessi Nur Mulianawati also known as Yessiow. I am a 24-year old illustrator and mural artist from Bali, Indonesia. I make murals, illustrations for different purposes. I like drawing as a kid to explore my ideas and imagination, that’s why my style is playful and colourful. I also like drawing women to promote body positivity and spread love through my arts. Now, I’m currently traveling the world, learning and working as a freelance illustrator and social media content creator.

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

I live in Bali, Indonesia also known as The Island of Gods. Bali is a very popular and touristic destination in the world. Living in Bali is everyone’s dream, it’s a paradise. You can walk to the beach only 5 minutes away from your home, having lunch at a nice and chill restaurant, walking through rice field, I love Bali. I really do. I lived in Bali my whole life until two years ago I left the island to travel the world. I had never left my country before, I saw different sides of the world, learning a lot of things through my journey.

Bali is full of good vibes. Nice weather, nice people, and amazing arts.

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

Bali is full of good vibes. Nice weather, nice people, and amazing arts. The nature and cultural wealth in Bali make me miss home, especially the food. I think Indonesia offers the most delicious food ever. haha I went back last summer for 3 months, and it’s never enough to enjoy your home! The worst thing about living in Bali is way too many tourists. It’s quite shocking the amount of tourism on the island. Although it helps the economy for locals, but mass tourism can destroy Bali slowly.

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

Challenging. Traditional. Chill.

How did you start your career in art?

I guess I have liked drawing since I was in 5th grade of elementary school, my teacher forced me to join a drawing competition, and it turns out I enjoyed it. In high school 2012, I fell in love with doodle art, I was doodling everyday, never stopped, then I had an idea to create a doodle art community in Indonesia. It’s called Full of Doodle art. Full of Doodle art played a huge role in my life. For a few years, I was running this community with my friends, until it reached 10 cities in Indonesia. As time went by, I decided to go solo to focus on my study. In high school I got my first art commission, I think that’s where I started pursuing my career. I chose to study graphic design in university and moved from Bali to Bandung for 4 years. In 2018 I got my degree and moved back to Bali for good.

I have always been working as a freelancer so far. Now that I’m currently travelling, I thought I need to find a job to support my travel journey, so I decided to work and travel at the same time. I struggled with my style for years, doubting my art, because I couldn’t draw humans. I forced myself to learn and to keep practicing, to develop my own style, and to be consistent. Not long ago, I kind of found my comfort style, and how I like to draw humans. it was tough and yet exciting at the same time. Feeling so lucky that many of my friends and people around like the way my style is now, also got many more clients than before hehe

Not long ago, I kind of found my comfort style, and how I like to draw humans. it was tough and yet exciting at the same time.

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

My mum’s dream is to see me become an accountant haha, but she NEVER forced me or said no to what I like, she kept me company whenever I had drawing competitions when I was in elementary school. Because she didn’t know how’s my future is like if I’m relying on being an artist. Slowly she supports me, and now she’s my number one fan of my work hahaha. My dad has always supported me since the beginning, I can call my dad a fashion designer. He makes knitting wear.

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

I wanted to have a mural or two in every country I have ever visited. I have been to 7 countries around Asia so far, but I only have two in Nepal and Cambodia. Next time, I want to go back there and create more. My second biggest goal is to step my foot in Europe and make as many murals as possible haha, to able to collaborate with well-known brands and make more merchandise for my shop

I wanted to have a mural or two in every country I have ever visited.

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

I wanted to collaborate with musicians. for example, Rex Orange County, Coldplay, and others!

How would you describe the women around you?

I consider myself lucky to be surrounded by strong and independent women

I consider myself lucky to be surrounded by strong and independent women

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

My mum, she is also working and making knitting wear like my dad. She knits a lot and makes beautiful knitting products. She worked so hard while babysitting me, I was growing up in a knitting factory, sleeping next to yarns, playing in a pile of knitting clothes. She’s still making knit products until now 😉

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

I don’t think I experience any challenges for being a female in my industry. I feel very grateful that in my industry many people are open to women and welcome women friendly. But maybe in general, the challenge we still face is that women need to be heard more 🙂

You have to chase what you want to achieve, no matter what you have to have it in your mind and believe that someday you will do it!

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

You have to chase what you want to achieve, no matter what you have to have it in your mind and believe that someday you will do it!

Photos courtesy of Yessiow