In today’s edition of Creative Spotlight, we explore the vibrant and imaginative world of Imanie, a digital artist whose creative journey blossomed from humble childhood sketches into a thriving career crafting captivating, emotionally resonant illustrations. Through this exclusive interview, Imanie delves into the evolution of her artistry, sharing intimate details about her creative process, the inspirations behind her work, and the pivotal moments that shaped her path.
Can you tell us about your journey as a digital artist? How did you get started?
Imanie: I like to think that I’ve always considered myself an artist. I’ve been drawing since I was a kid, but I fully got into digital art in 2019 when I joined the Campace Design Club at OAU. That’s where I learned to work with Adobe Illustrator, but I have since transitioned to illustrating solely on Procreate. So, it has been about six years now.
Do you sketch traditionally before moving to digital or work entirely digitally?
Imanie: I work digitally from start to finish, sketching, ink, and colouring on my iPad.
How do you stay inspired and creative when working on projects?
Imanie: It’s still a little early in the year for me to say, but so far, I haven’t experienced any creative blocks. I think I unconsciously draw inspiration these days from TikTok, music, and Pinterest.
On the other hand, how I stay inspired depends on how excited I am about the piece I’m working on. Sometimes, the idea in my head doesn’t translate well onto the sketchpad, which can be demotivating. When that happens, I take a break—it could be days, weeks, or even years before I return to it. In the end, it’s just art, and there’s always a chance to start over. Other times, all I need is a cup of iced coffee, and I’m ready to go all in on a piece.
Are there any traditional art forms or techniques that inspire your digital work?
Imanie: At the moment, I don’t think so. I haven’t painted traditionally in almost two years now, and I think I’m a little too comfortable with the flexibility of drawing on my tablet. However, a medium I would love to dabble in again is linocut printing, and I’m looking at ways I could make my digital art look like linocut prints.
What role does storytelling play in your art?
Imanie: Most of the time, I come up with the stories after finishing a piece or multiple pieces. For example, I could weave three unrelated works into one, making them cohesive and telling a story.
You made the cover of “When Love Visits,” take us through the process of making the cover and how it all happened.
Imanie: Fun fact: Comfort and I have known each other for a little over ten years. I knew she was a writer, and she knew I was an artist, so when she asked me to create a cover illustration for her book, I was honored to take on the challenge. The whole process went very smoothly, mainly because the brief was precise and straight to the point.
I actually created two versions of the illustration, and Comfort held a public poll for people to vote on the final cover. The coolest part of the whole experience was that people instantly recognized my signature style just by looking at the book cover—it has been such a surreal experience.
What’s your favorite piece of art that you’ve created, and why?
Imanie: This is a tough question, but a piece I was obsessed with while working on it and after I finished working on it is Tangerine. I think it’s something about the colours and the subject that makes me happy.
If you could collaborate with any artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Imanie: I really love works by Alphonse Mucha, mainly because I love how he drew women.
Are we going to see more collaborations or book covers this year?
Imanie: I hope so! I can’t say much because I don’t want to ruin the element of surprise. Haha. All I can say is watch out!
