Who or what made you want to become an illustrator?
Ever since I can remember, I’ve loved drawing and painting. What began as a simple childhood hobby gradually grew into a deep passion that shaped the direction of my life. I was always creating—sketching characters, experimenting with color, and exploring different illustration styles.
With the support of my family, I was able to nurture this passion through formal training in traditional oil painting, acrylics, and watercolor techniques. I was always eager to learn, constantly pushing myself to try new methods and improve my skills.
Later, while studying graphic design, I discovered that illustration is more than just a passion—it can also be a meaningful profession. That realization changed my path. I decided to focus on turning my creativity into a career, with a particular interest in children’s book illustration and visual storytelling.
Since then, I’ve been fortunate to work on various creative projects while continuing to develop my own artistic style and visual identity.
Who or what made you want to become an illustrator?
I was born and raised in Pakistan, where I spent most of my early life surrounded by creativity and inspiration. This environment played an important role in shaping my imagination and artistic journey from a young age.
Currently, I am living in Canada after my marriage. Moving here has given me new experiences, exposure, and opportunities to work on international projects and connect with clients from different parts of the world.
Was creativity part of your childhood?
Yes, creativity has always been a natural part of my life. I grew up in an environment where imagination and artistic expression were encouraged, which helped shape my creative thinking from an early age.
Looking back, I can see that creativity was always present—it has simply evolved over time into a professional path.
What inspires your style?
My inspiration comes from cartoons and storytelling art. I enjoy working in both soft, painterly styles and clean, minimal illustrations, depending on the story and its mood.
Nature, warm colour palettes, and expressive characters play an important role in my work. I always aim to create illustrations that feel alive, emotional, and engaging for children.
Do you keep a sketch book?
Yes, I always carry a sketchbook with me. I love capturing small ideas, moments, and visual inspirations for future illustrations or projects.
I especially enjoy drawing landscapes and interiors while traveling, as they often become the foundation for new creative ideas.
Do you offer more than one style, if so talk us through the different approaches and the audience you are targeting for each?
I see style as something that is always evolving. As artists, we constantly grow, learn, and refine our craft. Because of this, I enjoy experimenting with new techniques and approaches in different projects.
I also draw inspiration from various mediums such as photography, storytelling, and visual development, which help me expand my creative perspective.
Do you work in more than one style?
My work is mainly inspired by storytelling, cartoons, and visual narrative art. I usually work in two main approaches: a soft, painterly style and a clean, flat illustration style, depending on the story and its mood.
I also enjoy drawing inspiration from retro cartoons and classic illustration styles, which I sometimes incorporate into personal projects as creative tributes.
What do you hope children take away from your drawings?
My biggest goal is simple, If my illustrations can make a child smile, then I consider my work successful.
I hope my art brings joy, sparks imagination, and creates a sense of wonder for young readers.
Outline your dream project
My dream project is called Karmic with my friends. It features a magical girl who lives in the jungle and has the ability to understand and communicate with animals. I also have many creative ideas connected to the Karmic world, including stories about a mystical shop and its unique characters.
What Do I Listen to While Working?
I am a big fan of 70s and 80s music. I usually work while listening to long playlists, which help me stay focused and in a creative flow.
How important is it for you to be part of a creative community of people?
Very important to the point of being an essential part of my process, I have a circle of friends and mentors with whom I share new project ideas or reach out just to hang and catch up.
What's your goal?
My goal is simple:
To become a successful children’s book illustrator, to illustrate as many books as possible, and to collaborate closely with authors and publishing companies, bringing their stories to life through my illustrations.
There is nothing more meaningful to me than knowing my work brings joy, imagination, and happiness to young readers.