“I’m from Bombay. It’s been a year and a half since I shifted to Delhi for work. Because I wanted to get away from the chaos and hustle as It was getting really difficult to take out the phone from my own pocket on a local train. I’m a GRADUATE (oh yeah) from College of Fine Art, Pune. I like documenting my life through pictures or illustration.”

Why are you an Illustrator?

I’ve always been able to draw. As a kid, I’d copy the small illustrations from the textbook and that’s how the love of drawing and painting developed.

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
Yes, I’m a graduate from the college of art, Pune.

You have a distinct style of illustration. How long did it take you to develop your style?
Well, I never knew that I have one until people started talking about it. But that comes with time and a lot of practice. I’m still exploring different styles by using different mediums. So I can’t say If I have found THE ONE.

Were there any particular role models for you when you grew up?
I don’t come from a family where art was celebrated or talked about so anyone creative around me was and still is an influential personality for me.

What made you decide to become a freelance illustrator? When did you start freelancing? Do you illustrate for advertising?
I love going to the office, but freelancing is like a breath of fresh air from the monotony. I started freelancing since college and it will continue as long as the project makes me excited. I have illustrated for advertising, be it a story board or print media. It’s always a beautiful experience to see your work on a huge platform.

Are many advertising agencies getting illustrations made these days? Do you work more with agencies or publishers?
Ad Agencies always look up for Illustrators. The good part is, they are exploring different styles. The content is always fresh. It also allows you to make something different from what you are comfortable in. People will not ALWAYS like your style.
I’ve never worked with a publisher but that is in my bucket list. I want to illustrate scenes from the book. Like The Blue Umbrella by Ruskin Bond.

Was there any time when you wanted to quit Illustrations?
These thoughts come and go. Sometime when your friend would come and say, Bro, I designed this app they paid me in lacs for few screens, why don’t you join me? Then I start thinking, It goes around in my head for an hour but then I get back to the roots. I’m not sure if I’ll be a good UI/UX designer. So let’s stick to Illustration

Have you considered turning your illustrations into toys?
I would like to make maybe a Ludo Board. something old school or Business

Any other Indian Illustrators who you admire?
I have this major love for Gaurav Ogale’s work and also Sanskar Sawant, When I see their work I feel like doing more in life. Creating more content.

You have such a wide experience as a top working professional. What advice do you have for aspiring creative professionals? Would you advise them to take on Illustration as a career option? Is it paying well enough?
My advice would be never stop sketching on paper, because that’s something really important. Never stop documenting, always carry a journal. Illustration as a career is great If you have a great hold. You need to show people that there is not just one style of illustration that you can do because people will not ALWAYS come to you. Creating a comfort zone for yourself is not healthy. The money will flow in once you put your work out there. Creating good content should be your priority and not money.

Whats your dream project?
My dream project would be designing language for an Event. From graphics to installation.

Mac or PC?
Mac and PC

Who would you like to take out for dinner?
I usually go out with my bag so the opposite seat is always taken. But if hypothetically I had to then probably Mom or Friend

What’s on your iPod?
I need an iPod. Answer (My Dream Project) will help me buy one.

Whats your Twitter Handle?
I started using twitter in college and I praised Chetan Bhagat, because 3 mistakes was the first book that I read and I got bullied by a bunch of haters. So I had to delete my twitter account and take a fresh start. So the new account exists but I don’t use it. Instagram is love for me. The handle for that would be akshay_sing

Aastha is Mumbai-based illustrator and painter who is inspired by people around her. A true survivalist who can draw in any condition. Her free spirit reflects in her art that she reserves for herself – they carry a childlike beauty in them. Her favourite subjects to draw and paint are faces and cats.

“I like to draw my own perspective on other’s lives.” – Aastha.

Why are you an Illustrator?
Illustration wanted me to be with it.
I tried my hand at many things but I could not live with it. What I was always doing in the meantime was drawing and painting. This ‘meantime’ made me realise my real interest and that was illustration, which developed with my everyday drawings.

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
Yes I completed my BFA from JJ School Mumbai and MVA from MS University, Baroda.

You have a distinct style of illustration. How long did it take you to develop your style?
I am still practicing to develop my own style. But yes, what it looks like now, comes from everyday sketching, observation and experiments.

Were there any particular role models for you when you grew up?
Both my parents are artists in different fields. My papa is a well-established poet and writer. And my mother is a professional cook who does cookery shows and writes books. I grew up seeing them experimenting in their respective interests. When I started showing interest in painting as a kid, they could understand my abilities and gave me best possible guidance to develop my skills. They still inspire me with their active participations in their interests.

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