Illustration, one of the vital aspects of the fashion and art world, isn't much talked about or written on in Mauritius for some reason. Today I'm introducing Janice Michel, a 26 year-old freelance illustrator and graphic designer, whose work I find incredibly beautiful and inspirational.
Name: Janice Michel
Age: 26 years old
Current Job: Graphic designer, freelance illustrator.
Visit her Facebook page.
How did your interest in illustration begin and how did it develop?
My interest started at a very young age, as soon as one of those typical toddler story books full of colours was in my hands. When you do not know how to read yet, the illustrations in "le petit chaperon rouge" let your imagination go wild, and though you do not understand the story, you create your own based on what you see in the images. I did learn to read very fast though - I was eager to understand.
Since then I have felt the urge to draw every scene of the story in the margins. I love blank pages and spaces in books. I was absolutely convinced that I had to draw parts of the story that had not been illustrated. My mum wasn't very happy about those crazy 4 year-old-me doodles, but I mocked the illustrations in the books and believed that mine were better. I've never stopped illustrating since.
I am very receptive to every well thought out, harmoniously coloured illustration created by some of the masters of the genre. I am able to better immerse myself in stories by enjoying the illustrations and I am fond of the thrill it gives me to create my own and share them for others to enjoy.
I understand through Norman Rockwell's work (a very famous illustrator, whose work is not only flawless as regards to technique but is always a hit in that it brilliantly depicts daily life with a humorous touch) that not everything should be said; it is far more interesting to give a hint at what is being expressed, and let people imagine the rest. One of my all time favourite illustrations is Rockwell's Girl With A Black Eye (1953):
Just one scene, at the perfect moment, lets you imagine what could have happened. It's a familiar situation for many, where after a fight one of your parents are called to the principal's office at school. I suspect that the girl's grin is either one of pride for having fought for some kind of justice, or is caused by the high dose of painkillers that have been given to her. In a very photojournalistic way, the image is composed from scratch, assembled in a way to express the illustrators desire. But while photography limits you to reality, illustration gives you the exquisite power to share exactly what's on your mind.
What kind of illustration do you specialise in?
I do not have a "kind" of illustration. If I hold a pencil, I naturally tend to draw human figures and faces (that must be a very feminine thing). So obviously then I am well versed in drawing humans, but luckily I enjoy illustrating so much that I can now draw virtually anything. This skill is very handy in freelance work, where you are asked to draw different things. In my opinion, if you can draw a circle, a square and a triangle, you can draw anything. Practice enables you to draw quicker over time, so you are able to create more complex figures.
Illustration is something I do with pleasure, as a very random and immediate means of expression, rather than something focussed on a specific genre or style. I do not limit myself to one type of illustration or design but I am greedy to know them all, each and every technique. I didn't study Art other than at the traditional classes given in college, which teach you the fundamentals. Creativity and skill are developed over time by opening your mind, letting it wonder, and practicing over and over again. Talent, on the other hand, is something very few people have. I associate talent with some magical, Mozart-like power, which enables such gifted people to do incredible things with astounding ease. We, common mortals, have to work a lot in order to only be able to bring about a smile on someone's face, or trigger some feeling through our art.
For quite a long time now I only illustrate digitally. While a mechanical pencil and good quality paper are tools of pure joy that can keep me busy for hours, I draw that way less often now. Digital work is more convenient; but convenient doesn't mean easy. Apart from the ubiquitous 'CTRL-Z' (undo) shortcut, the work flow and processes are the same as traditional art, minus the paint drying time and the mess. The bonus with digital art is an unlimited colour palette.
Vector art is very fun to do too, once you are able to build up a tremendous load of patience within yourself to join every single node, thousands of them sometimes. Once you get used to its very peculiar logic it's similar to the "match the dots to reveal the drawing" game we had in coloring books as children.
What are your plans for the future?
I have so much yet to learn. I tend to never be satisfied with what I did yesterday. I am always looking forward though; the next step is 2D animation.
xoxo
Alex
Email: stylemauritius@live.com
Twitter:@stylemauritius / @Alex_W_Isaacs
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