We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Oya Şengün Topçu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Oya thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Who is your hero and why? What lessons have you learned from them and how have they influenced your journey?

When I think about the answer to this question, I realize that my heroes are not just one individual but all the authors whose books I read as a child. Back then, books felt like a second world to me—an escape from reality where I could dive into countless stories and endless adventures. With each book, I found myself transported to new and different worlds, each one more fascinating than the last.

I always carried notebooks with me. I loved jotting down beautiful things I read, heard, or that simply popped into my mind. Looking back, those little notes were like seeds planted in my heart, gradually guiding me toward becoming a writer. Reading inspired me to write. I wanted to experience those magical worlds not just as a reader but as a creator.

At the same time, I had another hobby: drawing. Just as I loved weaving words together, I also enjoyed expressing my imagination through colors and images. I now realize that the writers of the books I read and the characters they created taught me something invaluable: there are no limits to imagination. They allowed me to dream, to write, and to create worlds of my own.

The most important lesson I learned from these writers is the power of storytelling and imagination. Every book was a source of inspiration, every line a small clue about how I wanted to shape my own journey. Over time, I began to see myself not just as someone who writes but also as someone who illustrates stories, blending words with visuals.

My heroes are all the authors behind the books I grew up reading. They taught me to dream, to express myself, and to see the world through different lenses. If today I am able to write and illustrate my own stories, it is because they paved the way for me.

Oya, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

“My journey began the day I found out I was going to be a mother and we decided to move to another country.”

I left my job and moved abroad with my husband and our newborn son. Back then, I couldn’t have imagined that the hobbies I once loved while working in a corporate environment would eventually become the center of my life. Books had always been a part of my world since I was born, but with my son, children’s books started to slowly make their way into our lives.

One day, I found myself telling him stories I had imagined. These stories made him so happy, and when my husband asked, “Why don’t you write these stories down?” my first step toward this new path began. The first story was ready, but my search for an illustrator turned out to be incredibly long and exhausting. However, just as my son turned two, my first children’s book was published and became available for sale.

The next step began with another question: “Why don’t you do the illustrations yourself?” This led me to pursue professional training in illustration. Just as I was preparing to illustrate my second story, I met another author and began illustrating their book instead.

Around the same time, people around me started asking for commissioned paintings to decorate their homes. I wanted each painting I created to be unique and personal. My process begins with asking a few questions to understand the client better. I then research and develop a composition that reflects their story or personality.

Today, I’m proud to say that I’m both a writer and an illustrator, as well as a creator of custom paintings. I love bringing stories to life—whether through books that make children smile or artworks that make homes feel more personal and beautiful. My journey began with a small step, but it has grown into something deeply meaningful, fueled by creativity, curiosity, and a love for storytelling.

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

“For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist and a creative is the ability to bring stories, emotions, and ideas to life.”

Whether it’s through a children’s book that sparks a smile on a child’s face or a custom painting that becomes a cherished part of someone’s home, the joy of creating something meaningful and personal is unparalleled. I love the idea that my work can resonate with people, evoke emotions, or even inspire them in some way.

When I tell a story, illustrate a scene, or craft a piece of art, I’m sharing a part of myself—my imagination, my experiences, and my perspective. Seeing that connection happen, especially when someone finds joy, comfort, or a sense of belonging in what I create, is truly fulfilling.

Ultimately, the most rewarding part is knowing that something I’ve made can make a positive impact, however big or small, in someone’s world. That’s what fuels my creativity and makes this journey so meaningful.

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?

I believe the hardest thing for non-creatives to understand is the invisible effort and emotional investment behind every creative work.

Creating art, illustrations, or stories might look easy from the outside, but it involves countless hours of work, trial and error, and moments of self-doubt. Inspiration doesn’t always come easily; some days, a blank page feels like an impossible mountain to climb. Yet, patience and persistence are what carry you through those challenging moments.

In the end, every beautiful creation tells the story of someone who chose to keep going instead of giving up. Creativity is as much about resilience as it is about imagination.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffeecanvasillustration/profilecard/?igsh=MWt2MGpkcnh0ZmhtZg==
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oya%C5%9Feng%C3%BCntopcu?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Other: Pinterest: https://pin.it/5ZCIx9vMh

Image Credits

All photos belong to me.