Exclusive Interviews from Lotte Schriek & Kate Casey! Plus poems, illustrations, photos, & paintings
S T E A DY A S S U R A N C E ISSUE NO 4
T H E M AGA Z I N E F O R E L I T E C R E AT I V E S - T H R O U G H I N S P I R AT I O N W E G R O W
vagus
DECEMBER 2021
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ollaborations - collaborations - collaborati ii
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ISSUE 04
IN THIS ISSUE Page 2, 3 Page 4 - 11
A MESSAGE FROM VAGUS MARIANNE HARROWER (MARS DESIGNS)
Page 12 - 17
GENTLE WORDS: HOLLY KERR POETRY
Page 18 - 33
FEATURE STORY: LOTTE SCHRIEK
Page 34 - 45
SÂDE POPOOLA (SHADZ)
Page 46 - 51
GENTLE WORDS: JERIC HADE BERNABE POETRY
Page 52 - 65
FEATURE STORY: KATE CASEY (PEG WOODWORKING)
Page 66 - 69
GENTLE WORDS: HOT HIGH PRIESTESS POETRY
Page 70 - 77
CYNTHIA JUHAILEY
Page 78 - 83
THELMA CHRISTOPHIDE
Page 84 - 93
GENTLE WORDS: I.E.C. ELLIS POETRY
Page 94 - 101
PAO JU CHEN
C O N TAC T
vaguscreatives@gmail.com V I S I T VA G U S C R E AT I V E S . N E T F O R E XC L U S I V E O N L I N E C O N T E N T
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A MESSAGE FROM VAGUS We made it through. 12 months of Vagus Creatives, with hopefully many more to come. There have been thoughts of doubt over the past few months on whether this platform was headed in the right direction. We have tried to keep a consistent identity as we expand across multiple channels. There are so many aspirations that have yet to be fulfilled, but rest assured that we are working to build a community for artists to thrive and be recognized. As we head into year two of our online platform, we want to thank everyone who has collaborated with us thus far, whether it be through an artist feature, the music & video playlists, or the magazine, and we extend gratitude to those who have supported us along our journey. The encouragement we’ve received and the loyalty that we are shown provides the assurance that helps us to persevere.
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With this, we offer you Issue 4: Steady Assurance. The name is reflective of the external support we receive, and the internal motivation we act upon. It takes a lot of work to start from scratch and create something that can impact people all over the world. There have been many late nights, and even a few sleepless ones. At times the thoughts of doubt would scream so loud that the uncertainty began to overpower the determination, and clouded our vision. If you are experiencing a lack of faith, we encourage you to tune out the noise, believe in yourself, and assert your positive affirmations so that you can travel on a steady path forward to accomplish your goals. When your confidence is challenged, and things seem puzzling or there is a lack of clarity, know that there is a chance for things to get better. For those that are thriving and are living out their dreams, remain true to your vision and remember to give yourself credit for all that you’ve accomplished, despite any odds that were against you. Issue 4 is a thank you for 1 year of Vagus Magazine. We hope to continue the delivery of high-quality publications along with impactful, inspirational stories, and we appreciate the continued support as we navigate through the realms of creativity and artistry. Dream big, stay true, and maintain confidence in yourself. This is Steady Assurance.
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CAR: This illustration was one of the challenging ones. It may look simple but there are a lot of details. I hadn’t previously done a car illustration before but I was influenced by young artists that I follow, which inspired me to give it a try. Even though the final illustration is only half the car, I am happy with the final outcome, and I think it’s interesting that I only showed half of the details.
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Marianne Harrower Marianne Harrower, the creator of Mars Designs, is a graphic designer and illustrator based in London, UK who recreates images through her characteristic shading. Her work places emphasis on the distinction between highlights and shadows, with patterns resemblant to a thermal map made with an array of colours. Through the use of Instagram and Pinterest as a source of inspiration, she has recreated a diverse collection of images and participates in themed challenges, such as the seasons (fall, winter, summer, and spring) to stay engaged.
Biography I am a university student studying Graphic Design. My digital illustrations started as a hobby and grew into a business. I explored the use of software such as Procreate & Photoshop and started Mars Designs on Instagram in October 2020 to showcase my work on social media. I can honestly say that being a part of a community with other creators shows the passion and support from one another. It’s not only a community, but also a family of different age groups and people around the world. Getting noticed and being invited to do collaborations with other artists builds your confidence and instills pride in your work. Through Instagram, I have worked with a range of people and small businesses around the world to create illustrations based on themes. I’m inspired by other creators and artists, mainly from the Cubism Movement, such as David Hockney and Malika Favre. I appreciate the use of colours, textures, and tones in their work. Pinterest is another app where I find my themes or find anything that can relate to my projects. I hope that in the future, I can develop my small business or career and make something out of it. Anything is possible, if you take it one step at a time.
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MarsDesignsPrints @MARS.DESIGNS_ 5
UNWIND: I love this illustration because of the details shown on the man. The shadows make the illustration appear more realistic due to the contrast between light and dark colours. I tried to add enough texture to the durag to place emphasis on the movement of the body.
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BODY POSE: This piece represents my love for how body candles are formed. I appreciate how body candles are created in different shapes and sizes, and I support the notion of being kind to your body, which is why I love to draw female bodies.
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BODY FLOWERS: I have an obsession with body candles and body vases. I love their shape and what they represent. I found the reference for this image on Pinterest. This image has flowers and initially, I wasn’t a big fan, but me being me, I wanted to challenge myself and see how I would do in the final outcome. I captioned this piece ‘Love Yourself’ because it is about loving your body, even if it may take time. It represents a relationship between you and your body, and is intended to you remind you that all bodies are beautiful. This is why I love drawing body candles and body vases. I haven’t bought one yet, so I decided to draw one. 8
JONAK BOOTS: This piece was one of my late-night drawings made for a theme based on the autumn and winter seasons. The texture of the boots is represented by the light and dark tones.
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@MARS.DESIGNS_
BUCKET HAT: This reference was from Pinterest and was for a Spring/ Summer theme that I was doing at the time. Bucket hats were so trendy, so I decided to illustrate them based on the saying ‘I want it, I draw it!’. Overall, I like the piece because it was something different from what I have done.
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www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MarsDesignsPrints
BLUE DURAG: This piece is one of my favorite male illustrations. It is another one of my late-night works, and I love the details shown in the body. Even if it is simple, art has a story behind it.
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Lotte Schriek is a fashion photographer based in the Netherlands. Her work seeks to empower women through bold colours, exuberant landscapes, and enthralling angles. The capabilities of her creative vision are shown through her diverse portfolio. What interested you in photography? I just loved aesthetic elements coming together and what images make me feel like. I find it fascinating that you freeze that particular moment forever, even if it’s staged and thought out. What style of photographs do you take? I like to combine different styles. I mostly take fashion & editorial pictures, but love to experiment on the artsy side too. When did your journey as a photographer begin? I started taking photos around the age of 7. I borrowed my dad’s old camera and took pictures of my neighbourhood, animals, and my childhood friends. I started my photography seriously around the age of 18. Your video work (on your website) is very fun. What is the difference between how you approach a photoshoot vs a videoshoot? Thank you! In my photography I think of posing and how to freeze a movement. With video, I think of how to use different motions to keep the video interesting. How do you develop your concepts from the idea stage through to shoot day? I always start my ideas with 1 element of the shoot such as the model, location, mood, or feeling. Then I do research to find the best fit with the other elements. When all the elements come together I start planning my shoot and editing days. Where do you find team members to collaborate with? Social media is a great tool to find creatives in different areas. I even managed to find team members in different countries such as Switzerland and Portugal to collaborate! What drew you towards fashion photography? I’ve always been into fashion, so fashion photography felt like a natural choice I grew into.
@ LOTTE.SCHRIEK 20
LOTTE SCHRIEK
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How did you learn photography? I’m mostly self-taught. I’ve learned a lot from YouTube and just practicing my skills. I’ve never been afraid to try out new things and then miserably fail, because then I knew I had to practice a bit more with that particular aspect. I’m still learning new things with almost every shoot! I also got the opportunity to assist an amazing photographer for 3 months so I could learn more about the business side of photography. He taught me how to use strobes for the first time. Are there any statements or feelings you aim to express with the work you create? I always empower women in my work. I find it very important to portray them as confident, fierce, and taking up their space. When looking at your own portfolio, how would you describe your work? What stands out to you as a recurring theme? Feminine, powerful, and warm.
@ LOTTE.SCHRIEK
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During the editing process, what photos do you find yourself gravitating towards? I like the photos that make me react in a certain way. If I don’t feel anything while scrolling through the photos, it isn’t the right fit.
WWW.LOTTESCHRIEK.NL
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What has been a memorable experience for you as an artist? Shooting in the Swiss mountains with my dear friends. The weather was amazing, the surroundings were absolutely gorgeous, and it was such a fun day that got us an amazing end result. With respect to your creative career, are there any milestones that you’ve reached or accomplishments that you are proud of? There are a few: my first exhibition in Amsterdam, my interview in &C magazine, and shooting campaigns for multiple Dutch brands. What do you hope to see for yourself and your work in the future? Eventually, I hope I can bring my work to the table with the big guys in the industry such as Gucci, Fendi, Jacquemus, Bottega, etc. If you could talk to a younger version of yourself when you were first breaking into the fashion photography industry, what advice would you give to yourself? Keep doing what you’re doing right now, because it works. In the process of creating work, what have you learned about yourself? It sounds really cliché but: don’t compare yourself to others. I could get really frustrated when I saw so many talented photographers doing the most amazing jobs and projects. But constantly comparing myself and my achievements with others is very draining and blocks my creativity and success in the end. I still do it sometimes but I keep reminding myself that it won’t bring me any further and definitely won’t help me reach my goals.
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@SHADZS_ART 34
Sâde Popoola (Shadz) Sâde is an illustrator based in the UK whose work pays tribute to those who belong to the African diaspora. In addition to her commercial illustrations that showcase brands, she has also created illustrations that serve a political purpose.
Biography I am a Black British-Nigerian freelance illustrator based in Milton Keynes and London. I studied illustration at the University of Lincoln and graduated with a first-class degree, and I have always loved art. As a child, I would draw things around my house or draw cartoon characters but as I got older and studied art in school this developed into portraiture. Although I still dabble in portraiture, university really encouraged me to think more conceptually when designing whilst also helping me refine my style of illustrating through digital illustration. Getting an iPad was really a game-changer! It allowed me to merge my love for the aesthetic of printmaking with the ease and flexibility of designing digitally. Within my work I now mainly work in a minimalistic style, using limited colour palettes, texture overlays (both handmade and digital), or interesting compositions to add more visual depth. It’s a style that has taken me years to figure out and is still developing! Most of my work centers around my heritage and culture to either show appreciation or raise awareness on issues impacting them. Although I always aim for my illustrations and designs to be visually appealing, I love the idea of evoking thought through my art whether it’s to remind someone of their own culture and expose people to a different one, or to confront issues and encourage reflection on an individual basis. I want to always create art that means something to someone.
@SHADZS_ART
WWW.SHADZSART.COM
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ANKARA AESTHETICS By Shadz
ANKARA AESTHETICS IN RED
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This series was originally motivated by Black History Month and my desire to get back into illustrating for fun after finishing university. I wanted to use it as a way to experiment with my developing style whilst also highlighting an aspect of my culture.
ANKARA AESTHETICS IN PINK
WWW.SHADZSART.COM
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ANKARA AESTHETICS IN ORANGE My illustration style is relatively minimalistic so I look for other ways to add depth to a piece, whether that be texture overlays, composition, or colour. Wanting to achieve more depth is what led me to draw exaggerated and expressive poses. Inspired by fashion/editorial photography, I liked how playing with the perspective and the positioning of a figure’s body can make an outfit the main focus of an image and catch one’s attention. Since these illustrations pay homage to Nigerian Ankara print design, I wanted each pattern to stand out within its respective illustration. 38
@SHADZS_ART
ANKARA AESTHETICS IN YELLOW
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PRODUCED BY THE FILM AND TV INDUSTRIES By Shadz ‘Produced by the Film and TV Industries’ is a project dedicated to highlighting racial inequities within film and tv. For people of colour, a lack of accurate representation feels like standard practice. Within this series, I wanted to highlight the different racial themes at play in the entertainment industry that impact how black people are portrayed on screen. The response was a series of film posters that used juxtaposition, colour, and texture in varying methods to convey racial themes. I wanted each poster to have a different aesthetic whilst still noticeably being part of a collective. In doing so, I was able to vary my style to suit the mood and message portrayed in each piece.
WWW.SHADZSART.COM
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Series: When I Think About Nigeria
NO WAHALA DANFO
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KATE CASEY Kate Casey is a furniture designer specialized in woodworking. She is the founder of Peg Woodworking, a business created in 2014 based in Brooklyn, New York that adopts a contemporary style to traditional design. Her work pays tribute to the intricate weave patterns found in Shaker and Scandinavian designs. How did you learn to sculpt? I went to undergrad at Massachusetts College of Art. I was technically a printmaking major but would often create objects out of my prints. I felt I could think better when I did it in 3D. After school, I worked as a fabrication assistant for a sculptor and learned more working alongside artists with all different skill sets. My favourite educational experience was when I went to the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship to take an intensive furniture class. At the time I felt I had done things a bit backwards, the formal and concept-based learning before the ‘how to build’ learning. But I realized it gave me a better visual understanding of an object that I might have missed if I learned the technical skills first. Bastet Stool
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Fireside Bench
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When did you take an interest in creating wood sculptures? I’ve always really loved wood as a material. It’s super versatile and there’s such a rich history of craft that comes with it. I spent some time in the wood shop while I was in college but was initially a bit intimidated by the machine room. It was after college while working as a fabricator that I was able to spend more time with the tools and gain more confidence. As my skill set grew, wood started creeping in more and more to my sculptures until my brain started thinking in terms of the material and it’s limitations before creating the object. I still like to pair the wood with other complimentary materials in order to enhance each other and add balance. Why does woodworking appeal to you? I think I love it because wood is very forgiving. There are as many ways to fix things as there are to screw them up and to me, this is very fun. Wood has structural limitations but is still incredibly versatile. This narrows my creative scope to what is possible with the material, but within that, I am allowed to play. For me, it’s so much about creative problem solving and playing with new techniques that keep me actively interested. What type of wood do you normally use? I choose domestic hardwoods for environmental reasons. Deforestation is a huge issue, especially for exotic and tropical hardwoods. There is also the environmental impact of overseas shipping which for me is not needed. My favourite is oak, it’s readily available, hard, has beautiful grain, and finishes wonderfully. I also love working in walnut and ash which can be locally sourced from farms that replant their cut acreage. What are some of the products you offer? We offer a lot of seating mainly because I am enamoured with all types of seat weaving and I love pushing the boundaries of what forms I can weave on. I also designed some end tables with beautiful semi-precious marbles and quartzites where I let the intricate natural materials carry much of the visual weight. My favourite work is our sculptural ‘shelving’ like the Totems. These are curved and geometric shapes that stack creating abstract almost figural forms that can be styled for function or left open as a unique object.
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Totem
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Satet Bench Veruca Wall Hangings
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Steelheart Bar Stool Lassen Bench
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@PEGWOODWORKING What do you feel makes your art distinct from other sculptors? I feel I make very modern work but I pay a heavy nod to tradition. I love Danish modern furniture and the intricacy of the woven detailing. I utilize traditional woodworking methods to make my work and I love the connection to hand crafts that have survived booms in industry and technology. I do find it important to make work with a point of view and for me, bringing the classical to the contemporary and merging style with tradition gives my work a signature. Can you elaborate on your general creative process for taking your concepts and turning them into a tangible product? I don’t sketch too much. I like to make little shapes in 3D and see if I can physically work out details. I’ll have loose drawings but really I like to see where the process or happy accidents will take me. A really nice piece of wood or stone can sometimes guide me, which can be a nice limitation to give myself. Satet Coffee Table
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WWW.PEGWOODWORKING.COM What other elements do you use to diversify your sculptures? I love the woven components in the work. This gives me a much quieter and meditative process to engage in. It’s almost like slow motion drawing, as a printer would, line by line. I love seeing the pattern slowly emerge. Also, the duality of the weaving is exciting to me. That it can be both visual and functional. Similar to making functional furniture within the bounds of sculpture, the weaving has to work as a comfortable seat and also be aesthetically striking. What is your studio space like? My studio manager Sally Suzuki and I are in a group shop with several other woodworking companies in Bed Stuy Brooklyn. I love working in a group shop, it’s an amazing environment. There’s always someone there to assist or give feedback; I learn from them often.
Zetlin Cocktail Table
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Freya Lounge Chair
Has your work changed over the years? I think my work has become more polished as my skill set eventually met up with my eye. I’ll know when something isn’t working but without the ability to course-correct, there’s nothing that can be done. It’s been very gradual but I have the confidence behind the skill now. Have you ever returned to a piece of work to recreate it? That’s a good question. And my answer is no. I don’t necessarily like that about myself but I end up feeling almost let down when a piece doesn’t work so I move on with a vengeance and don’t look back (again, not sure that’s a great reaction). What do you like about your own work? The mindset I get into when I get to be in my shop and just make. I’m the happiest when I’m working on something I’m excited about. I feel really lucky to have that outlet.
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Elodin End Table
When others come across your work, what would you like them to notice? I obsess over detail, so I hope the intricacy and the attention to detail come through. The weaving allows me a pretty intimate relationship with a piece before it leaves and I hope that’s the energy it goes out into the works with. On social media, why do you pair some of your product images with popular figures or funny photos? Haha. To share who I am a little bit. Design feeds can sometimes be a little dry or uptight, neither of which describe me very well. Plus I’ve got to spread the good word of my patron saint Dolly Parton. Since its inception in 2014, Peg Woodworking has been operated entirely by females. The team of four, Catherine Woodard, Kate Casey, Sally Suzuki, & Alex Stewart, have committed to participate in community outreach programs that expose young women and under-resourced communities to woodworking and design. WWW.PEGWOODWORKING.COM
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Euclid Shelf
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Behind the creation of The Euclid Shelf and the Totems My curved pieces are made using a traditional barrel-making technique called coopering. I really like this process and it’s history. It’s fun for me to make modern shapes with this method, blending new and old. With these pieces, I am hoping to show playful functionality. I like that this work can be styled and utilized or just allowed to have a sculptural presence within a space. The math is very complex and requires a serious amount of precision. I find it fun to work this way because the math isn’t hypothetical. I can see the geometry that forms the curves. So it presents as a challenge but is very rewarding when you nail it.
Euclid Bench
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From your experience, what is the woodworking community like? The woodworking community in Brooklyn is amazing. There is so much kindness and openness. I have made friends out of several colleagues just by reaching out and admiring their work. It feels like we have each other’s backs which is not always the case for the fine art world, especially in NYC. What has it been like to see your business grow over the years? It has been the whole spectrum of emotions. It’s exciting and scary and I am mostly left feeling extremely grateful every time someone asks us to make something for them. This business has been all my energy and attention for years and I’m happy to keep it up. Is there anything you’re proud to have accomplished? In 2019 we were asked by Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign to make a podium for her Washington square park speech out of historical lumber from the Francis Perkins estate. Francis Perkins was the first woman in a presidential cabinet and as an all-female woodworking company, I was unbelievably honoured. We had our female-identifying friends come over during the fabrication to write positive messages in the base before we clad it in the historical material. It felt huge to be able to use my skills to push for equality. What goals or aspirations do you have for your business and your artwork in the future? I would love to allow more time for prototyping. Designing and making are when I’m happiest but it is ironically hard to carve out creative time while in a creative business. I hope that with some time I can prioritize more frequent non-goal-oriented playful designing. In the process of creating work, what have you learned about yourself? I have learned there is no reason why woodworking is not a more femaledominated craft. It requires creative precision and that is it. I have found that it’s important for me to be clear about that and show young women this can be a very viable field for them to enter into. I can now clearly see that representation matters and how important it is to me to present these opportunities.
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To t e m
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A reminder that you are on the right path + you are exactly where you are meant to be. Keep being strong, and keep holding on!
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*All poems are excerpts from the book of affirmations ‘from within’.
it’s time for self-love
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A reminder that our struggles exist in contrast to the blessings we have. it’s like night and day, winter and summer. in a way, our struggles are blessings.
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it’ll find you when you need it most.
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Cynthia Juhailey Cynthia is a Toronto-based painter and sculptor who employs a minimalistic style to her work through her selection of pastel colours, simple designs, and structural materials. One of her more recognized creations is the series ‘textures’ which combines pipes on a canvas to allude to a 3D painting. Biography Creativity was always my happy place as a child. I loved drawing & making abstract figures. I got introduced to painting in college when I was studying fine art. I had a long break from making art when my mental health took its toll on me. After three years of not making art, I slowly worked my way back with painting figures. My current work honours my life as I navigate my mental illness and desire of seeking peacefulness through calming shapes and colours found in nature, as well as the beauty of imperfections through my sculptural pipes. The initial goal of my art is to create pieces that kindle tranquility in a space.
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TEXTURES “Each sculptural pipe was made individually with gentle care, while keeping in mind that it is okay if one was slightly bigger, smaller, or curvier, than the other. Together in sets, they create a meditative & sleek textural appearance to become an intentional part of a calm ambiance.” 73
Cynthia designs the protrusions individually and combines them on the canvas below. Since they are all unique, they signify the imperfections seen in nature that are accepted without question, and offer the suggestion that we should accept our imperfections without question as well. In essence, this is exemplary of unwavering confidence and a strong self-image. Cynthia’s work is described as “thoughtfully gentle & minimal abstract art that brings calm to a space”. She offers custom art, commissions, and collaborations through assorted styles.
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Natural organic forms hold beauty despite the flaws they may seem to have. “The art I create can be described as minimal in neutral colours, and it holds a lot of depth because of the sculptural pipes. My inspiration comes from the beauty of imperfections found in shapes & colours in nature. For a while, I’ve wanted to bring my art to life, and after much trial & error, I discovered making my sleek sculptural pipes using a mix of latex and acrylic. This process requires steady and quick hands, as well as patience. It is a journey of consistency to bring my vision to life in a 3D form.”
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Her creations make a graceful addition to a minimalist home, and draw a subtle attraction to surrounding decorations.
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Thelma Christophide Thelma Christophide (born 1997, Nicosia, Cyprus) is a Fashion photographer currently based in London. She has predominantly worked on fashion editorials, beauty, and portraits. Christophide works with the medium of digital photos, alongside video as well. She received a BA in Multimedia and Graphic Arts at Cyprus University of Technology in 2019 and in 2021 she graduated from the University for the Creative Arts with an MA in Fashion Photography.
CALLMEGIA Collection SS20 Clothing: @callmegia_ Designer: @giaa.charalambous Model: @giaa.charalambous
Her work has been featured in OSSMA magazine, Flanelle magazine, and CUT OUT expo.
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www.thelmachristophide.com
Beautiful Disruption
Model: @andriachristou Styling: @kaiageorgia Make Up: @alexandramakeupart Hair: @Nikolas_papatheodorou
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CALLMEGIA Collection SS21 Clothing: @callmegia_ Model: @giaa.charalambous Make Up: @christianap.beautyandmakeup Hair: @elitehairandmore.k.theodoulou
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Artist Statement
Having engaged in subjects such as Cyprus cultural heritage, her childhood memories and modern aspects are the sources that provide her inspiration to transform and create her photographic outcome. The dominant concern when making pictures is to perceive what resonates with her inner self and be able to communicate her personal sensitivity, and her reaction, to each scene that unfolds before her. During research and production, new areas of interest arise and lead to the next body of her work. As she moves forward in her career as a progressive independent fashion photographer, one of her aims is to create something unique which is accessible to wider audiences and still contains ideas, such as culture, that have motivated her as an artist in the earlier stages of her career. Many thanks to @makers_block for the amazing laser cut “Lefkara lace” print and to @cyprus_handicraft_service for the “Lefkara lace” embroidery.
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@THELMACHRISTOPHIDE
The sustainable future of traditional crafts of Cyprus
Styling & Trouser Design: @kaiageorgia Model: @mariahadjiy Make Up: @mariella__pan Hair: @raf_anti @blowcy Shoes: @sax.shoes
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LILIUM SPECIOSUM
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Pao Ju Chen
@PAOJUART
Pao Ju Chen is an illustrator based in Baltimore, Maryland whose signature creative style includes fruits, florals, and animals integrated with a pattern or through an equilibrium where elements are in harmony with one another. She often uses light pink, yellow, green, and deep blue. Biography Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Pao Ju Chen studied General Fine Arts while minoring in Book Arts and Printmaking at the Maryland Institute College of Art. Her illustrations are often a mix of playful characters and intense watercoloring. Recently, Pao Ju collaborated with Taiwanese magazine Peoplefish Poetry to create a series of illustrations that are based on an anthology of environmentally-themed poems by Albane Gellé, a French poet who won The Discovers’ Prize in 2003. She is also currently working on her own children’s book, which will be released in 2022.
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HUGGING FISH
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FISH FLOWER 2
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FOREST
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BLACK CAT STAR
Pao Ju’s illustrations spread joy and comfort to the world through humorous and heartwarming creatures that express her inner child. These creatures are inspired by the flora and fauna native to her country, Taiwan. The textures, colours, and patterns found in her illustrations are often influenced by traditional Japanese woodcut print and Taiwanese traditional textiles. Pao Ju uses watercolor as her main medium. @PAOJUART
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POMEGRANATE
AXOLOTL
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