Interview with Yema Yema

Where are you from:
I was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador but currently live in Atlanta, GA USA with my lovely husband and son.

Before starting a project:
I go through my Pictoplasma books and lots of inspiration sites. Oh, and I look outside the window, you never know what will happen!

First job as an illustrator?
Got a commission to design stickers for a magazine in Ecuador. It was really an amazing experience since it was a fun project.

Craziest thing you’ve done in a project?
Redid the whole illustration in the few hours before the deadline.Was sweating bullets but the client loved it! I also try to do too much at one time. But now a days in an illustrators life I believe taking more than you can handle is pretty normal

Tunes while working?
Fleet foxes, Radiohead, Boards of canada, and movies, love to work while watching movies as well.

Favorite place on earth?
The beach back in Ecuador, my bed and my studio. No place like home.

Last object you bought?
Jon Burgerman hat. Super stoked about it!

If you illustrate a book, what would the title be?
Tea time with Mr. Nonsense and the old strange lady. Ive always loved abstraction and out of the ordinary subjects. Things that logic can’t understand, only imagination.

Technology or hand made?
Technology. I love it. I think its really great how is helping to network, learn, and just explore but at the same time it becomes addictive. For instance I go crazy when I don’t have internet. I feel.. lost. Which is pretty bad.

Fav. toy as a kid?
WWF, TMNT toys. I felt so bad my parents never gave me things I liked, always tried to make me like dolls! (was never into dolls, though they were scary) I was tomboy, still am. I will always remember taking my uncle’s toys and playing with them.

Coffee or tea?
Coffee, though Im trying to drink less, hehe Its never healthy to have too much of one thing.

Fav. Blogs?
This are some of my sources of inspiration.

http://sirmitchell.tumblr.com/

http://suffoca.com/blog/

http://www.lintyfreshblog.com/

http://www.bloodsweatvector.com/

Candyman?
Holy crap! Im an chocolate chip type girl, though any chocolate bar can make me happy. Candy is the yema-fuel.

Heroes?
Many artist and brands are my inspiration. I love to look up to people that are original and make difference. Brands like like Johnny Cupcakes, 123 Klan, Any Forty, are full of awesome ideas. As for artist Ben the illustrator, Jon Burgerman, Jeremiville, Drew Millward, Gema Correll.

Words of advice?
haha, I don’t consider myself very wise but really I just try to do more of what I love and do my very best and always try to explore. Success in not a destination, is a journey.