We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Isamar Medina a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Isamar, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

The first dollar I ever made as a creative was while I was working my first job at the time. I was working at Dominos pizza & during the downtime I would just draw on everything I could.
One of my coworkers commissioned me to draw a portrait of her daughter. I charged her $15 and she ended up giving me $40. She told me to not undersell myself.
At the time, I felt awkward charging people for my art. I didn’t think it was good enough, but I also didn’t understand the point of selling art.

Isamar, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I was born in Lagos de Jalisco, Mexico- But have been living in the Southside of Chicago since I was 6 months old. I was always drawn to art, and made art since I was a toddler. My taste for what I would say shapes me now began when I was in middle school. My older brother kind of curated the comics, video games and anime brought into the house. I was fascinated by the visuals and stories. It was like nothing I’ve seen before. Some of the first manga/anime I remember being into was “Oh! my Goddess” “Evangelion” and “Cardcaptor Sakura”
Those were the beginnings of my curiosities with female empowerment, weird shit and cute art.
Later on in high school during the myspace era, I came across the art of French artist Fafi, and California native Audrey Kawasaki. I instantly fell in love with both.
Fafi because of how fucking cool and chic she is. Her art exudes a cool that cant be mimicked. She was in the streets painting cute badasss girls. I grew up around graffiti, so watching a woman bend all the rules to that… she had my heart haha.
She not only was out here painting her girls, they were feminine and colorful. She focused on figures vs letters. She used a brush instead of a spray can. She was doing whatever she pleased.
Audrey’s art was so beautiful to me. It was very manga like, but reminded me of the shunga art I loved. Ghostly, and elegant, I wanted to model my own art after that beauty. Her technique was soft and I can tell she put so much care into it. It made me realize being soft is okay.

Right now, I feel like with each painting, each drawing, I’m getting closer to where I want to be.
I want to make art that is beautiful. Art that is immersed in fantasy and the mystery that comes with being a woman. My goal is obviously to be successful- But I want to keep making art until I am old. I want to look back and be proud of what I’ve done. Fill son many sketchbooks. Draw out all these stories in my head. Publish some artbooks and paint some murals. I never want to think of art as a chore.

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

I just want to be a little old lady and have my own little cult following. But also I just want to keep going. Every year I start with the thought “I wonder what art I will make this year, I’m excited to see!” I want to see my progression and I want to know how it will look like. I’m obsessed with chasing that high.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Personally for me, the most rewarding thing is being able to pull a image from my head and make it tangible. Also just making the art itself. You learn so much about yourself once your vision is clear and you focus on yourself. The process is also very fun, approach it with love. I also appreciate all the people who support me and give me their kind words. Whenever I find myself feeling low, i always get a random message from someone letting me know how much they love my art. Its neat as fuck.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kawaiisuga.com
• Instagram: kawaii.suga
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medinaisamarart/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/isamarmedart
• Other: https://www.reddit.com/user/sugamonsta/