Can you tell us more about you and what you do?

I’m an illustrator based in Indonesia, and lately I’ve been dabbling in animation :) I’m heavily inspired by vintage and eclectic visuals, nature, and themes of girlhood. Personal moments often become the starting point of my ideas.

Every artwork tells a story. What inspired your cover design, what narrative or message are you conveying through your cover design, and can you share the creative process that led to its final form?

Mess and Whimsy is a story of girlhood; where her room full of her half-finished thoughts, imagination lingers, chaos feels safe, and everything she loves finds a place. Blooming into Motion is about a year where growth isn’t quiet or hidden. It’s active, brave, and alive.

How does creativity connect to self-expression for you?

Creativity allows me to be more honest, playful, and vulnerable at the same time. Through illustration, besides use it as a kind of brain dump for what’s on my mind, I also hopefully can create something people can emotionally connect with too.

How do you define your individuality as an artist, and in what ways does this uniqueness manifest in your creations?

I define my individuality as an artist through the way I observe and translate everyday experiences into illustration. My work often draws from personal memories, small moments, and familiar objects, presented in a soft and slightly whimsical way. This shows up in my use of colour palettes, nostalgic details, and compositions that feel lived-in. I’m less interested in perfection, and more interested in creating images that feel honest, intimate, and emotionally recognisable.

In your perspective, what role does creativity play in empowering individuals and communities, and how have you witnessed this power in action?

For me, creativity creates space for people to feel seen and understood. I’ve seen this through how people respond to my work, and I experience it myself when I come across my peers’ work that resonates with me and makes me feel seen.

Have you faced any challenges in maintaining your individuality in your work, especially in the face of trends or external expectations? How did you overcome them?

Like many artists, I’ve felt tension between staying true to my voice and keeping up with trends. Sometimes this made me question whether my work was relevant enough.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with following them, but I’ve learned that the work needs to stay true to me. I navigate this by being selective. Taking inspiration where it fits, and simply letting go when it doesn’t.

What advice would you give to emerging artists who are trying to find and express their individuality through their work?

Give yourself time to explore without pressure. Your individuality will reveal itself through the things you’re consistently drawn to. Experiment freely, make mistakes, take influence where it feels right, and trust that staying honest matters more than being original on purpose.

What’s the one thing you want to accomplish this year?

This year, I hope to work with more inspiring clients and explore different mediums. I’d love to do more collaborations and build genuine creative connections along the way. Excited to see what life brings me!

Where can we see more of your work?

Website is still on progress, but you can check out my work on my IG: @che.nny :)