Q&A with Illustrator Paula Oliosi

• What types of children’s books did you read as a child? Were any your favorites?

The children’sbooks from my childhood were terrifying to me - orphans, evil step parents,trapped women... I preferred to read comics. I really liked Archie, Scooby Doo,and Condorito which was a Chilean comic in which the protagonist was a condor.

• Take us a bit into your creative process; what illustration art medium and tools do you use?

I’m always inspired by seeing whatother illustrators are doing. Observing awakens ideas in me. If I likesomething I try to see what angle I can take to incorporate it into anillustration that tells a story and isn’t simply just cute to look at. Myillustrations are digital. I use an app called Procreate and Photoshop.

• Have you always used this style of art or do you plan to explore other mediums of art?

I had been assigned a project at mywork in which I had to illustrate some children’s stories. This was a challengefor me as I had never done anything like this before. As a graphic designer thecomputer was the platform I felt most comfortable working on so I designed themall there and have continued to use it for all my own projects since then. Itried working with water colors but it wasn’t for me. You have to be patientand wait for it to dry so you don’t ruin it and I always ruined it.

• How long have you been an illustrator?

Since that project eight years ago.

• What do you enjoy most about illustrating, and, what is your dream for illustrating?

What I enjoy most about illustrationis when I have an idea ready and I start to paint it and watch it materialize.It’s really interesting searching for ideas and conceptualizing how to go aboutforming the image. In the future I would love to work as an illustrator and beable to live off of that.

• Have you authored or collaborated on any books, if so, what are they?

At my work I illustrated some digitalchildren's books for our client Got Milk. The objective of the books was toincentivize children to drink milk and parents to read them a story every nightbefore going to bed.

• In our digital age, how important are children’s books to you?

I believe that the digital worldprovides us tools that allow us to create stories that are not just simply seenand read. You can now interact with the story, you can add sound to them, andchoose your own adventure/ending. I think there is still much more to explorein the potential of digital books, especially children’s stories. Even so, Istill personally prefer paper books. I need to feel that tactility in the pagesas I flip through them.

• If you could be ANY character in a book, what would it be and why?

 I would be a bird, I love totravel and get to know new places.

• Do you struggle to come up with your next project?

I always worry that I won’t think ofsomething creative to work on next,

but then I always come up withsomething in the end.

• How do you deal with artist’s block if so?

When I am dealing with artist’s block I take my dog out on a walk and come back home and try again.

I am an Art Director/Graphic Designer and Illustrator with 15 years of experience in advertising.

I grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After graduating with a BFA in Graphic Design I moved to Los Angeles, CA. where I live with my spouse and daughter Catalina.

I started my career in the creative world as a graphic designer working for an award winning creative agency. While working there I quickly developed a passion for children illustrations.

I've worked with many leading brands including: Toyota, Target, T-Mobile, Comcast, ampm, New York Life, and Got Milk!