Welcome Paola Saliby

This week we are welcoming the wonderful Paola Saliby to the roster. Paola’s delicately drawn illustrations delve in to the subconscious, exploring human emotions and abstract feelings with fluid lines and dream like compositions. Literature and womanhood are significant inspirations for her work, weaving complex narratives in to her beautiful, sensitive illustrations. We were excited to hear her answers to our Q&A.

What made you want to become an illustrator?

I was a sensitive, emotional child, deeply influenced by 90’s cartoons, comic books, and illustrated stories. My mother was a teacher and always encouraged me to explore creative, hands-on activities. But it was only in college, while studying Fashion Design, that I discovered how much I enjoyed drawing.

The creative side of fashion design always fascinated me, but the reality of the industry, at least in Brazil at the time, felt quite boring. I knew I wanted to follow a more artistic path and still make a living from my work, and illustration seemed like the right direction to take.

So I began studying drawing more seriously, started building my portfolio, and little by little, things began to happen.

Where do you take inspiration from for your work?

I’m deeply interested in the world of dreams and the unconscious, and I like to bring these influences into my work. I draw inspiration from human emotions and the forces of nature, childhood memories and the female experience.

Are there any other illustrators or artists you admire? What do you love about their work?

I love the paintings of the Brazilian artist Amadeo Luciano Lorenzato. His landscapes and colors take me back to my childhood in the Brazilian countryside.

I really admire Paula Rego and Louise Bourgeois for the way they explored the female condition, a topic that deeply interests me.

Hayao Miyazaki is a huge source of inspiration for me, not just for his incredible technical skill, but also for his ability to bring extraordinary worlds and characters to life.

What is the best thing about being an illustrator? And the worst?

Being an illustrator allows me to escape the real world for a few hours and imagine different universes. It’s like a small adventure and I love this feeling. Yet it’s still a job like any other, and the most challenging part is probably the financial ups and downs of freelancing and the sense of isolation that comes from working alone.

What do you have to have in place before you start work?

A tidy workspace, comfy clothes, and a nice cup of coffee.

How do you overcome a creative block?

I step away from my workspace, take a nap or just lie down with my eyes closed for a while. Something I really enjoy and that helps me is going to the movies alone in the middle of the afternoon. I might bake a cake or spend some time playing with my dogs.

What are 3 of your favourite films? Which one would you love to illustrate the poster for?

I find it so hard to choose favorites. But one movie I truly love and might make a poster of is Portrait of a Lady on Fire.

As I mentioned, Hayao Miyazaki is a huge inspiration for me. Ponyo and The Boy and the Heron are in my list of favorites.

If you could work on the book cover for one book, which would it be?

The Memory Police, by Yôko Ogawa.

What would be your dream studio location and set up?

I dream of living in a house with a sunny backyard and a small garden, on a quiet street. There would be a studio right next to it, with a comfortable couch and lots of books. Perhaps I could place chairs on the sidewalk to take a break, watch people pass by and chat with the neighbours.

If you could have any artwork in your home what would it be?

A portrait of my dogs painted by David Hockney.

You can find Paola’s gorgeous portfolio here.