We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Irina Chasov. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Irina below.

Hi Irina, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

As a children’s book illustrator, I have the privilege of working with self-published authors on projects that have a deep emotional and educational impact. Last year, I illustrated two books that were particularly meaningful to me. The first, *Thomás Returns to School* by Xiomara Gallego-Bernard, explores the topic of sensitive children and teaches valuable strategies for coping with situational triggers. Sensitivity, in both kids and adults, is an area that’s still not fully understood, but this book offers tools that can make life so much easier for children navigating these challenges.

The second book, written by speech pathologist Courtney H. Milford, tells the story of a non-speaking young boy with a wealth of thoughts and feelings. It emphasizes the power of communication—something every human craves and deserves.

In a world where books are often seen primarily as commercial projects, it’s incredibly important to champion stories that address such essential topics. It was a true honor to be part of both of these projects, which deliver powerful messages to both children and adults alike.”

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Here’s a more modest and humble version:

I’m a children’s book illustrator and have had the pleasure of working on several published books, including my own. Creating art for kids is something that brings me a lot of joy—it’s one of those things where time seems to fly because I’m so absorbed in it.

I really enjoy working with clients, whether it’s brainstorming ideas, developing their projects, or helping self-published authors understand important aspects of the industry. I find it fulfilling to guide them through the process and contribute to bringing their stories to life.

What I love most is creating art that has meaning and emotion, using symbolism to connect with young readers in a way that feels genuine. My goal is always to create illustrations that not only complement the story but also help children engage with it on a deeper level.

The project I specialize on are children’s books, book cover, book formatting, educational materials, packaging design and character development.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My current goal is to share my knowledge and help fellow artists and illustrators succeed in their careers. It’s one thing to be skilled in your craft, but finding clients and managing the business side is a whole different challenge. We have to wear many hats—acting as full-time managers, social media creators, and more. It’s crucial to maintain a presence on social media platforms, have a website, and consistently engage with your audience.

Personally, I’m drawn to YouTube. I’ve had experience with the platform before, and I find it to be the easiest way to share knowledge and connect with an audience in a meaningful way.

As a child, I dreamed of becoming a teacher, and I think that desire is still with me. I love explaining things and helping others, and YouTube allows me to combine those passions with my work as an illustrator.”

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

That’s a great question!

A significant part of my work involves educating clients on what we, as commercial illustrators, actually do. How we work while working on a piece. How many different actions this work entails.

With the rise of AI in illustration, many artists feel discouraged, and I understand why. It can be disheartening to see AI-generated art sold for cheap, especially when some clients are looking for fast, low-cost solutions. While I agree that there’s a market for that, it saddens me when a client wants a children’s book created on a shoestring budget without much thought for who is creating it or how it’s being made. These are children’s books—valuable resources for our kids’ development. We can’t overlook the importance of how these books are crafted and the messages they convey.

But I always remind other artists that not all clients are the same. True authors treat their manuscripts like their own children, pouring love and attention into every detail. Only with that level of care can a truly meaningful, high-quality book be created.

I also believe that parents and children can sense the difference. There will always be a need for heartfelt, authentic work because the connection we bring to our projects—putting our heart and soul into them—is something that AI simply can’t replicate.”

Perhaps. my answer seems a bit passionate but I am taking this subject seriously.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://irinachasov.art/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irina.chasov/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@irinachasov
• Other: Behance: https://www.behance.net/irinachasov
  Email: [email protected]