We were lucky to catch up with Vicreate Illustrations recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Vicreate, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

From my earliest days, I’ve been immersed in a world of fantasy, drowning in my own imagination. The desire to pursue a creative path professionally has always been a constant in my life. Throughout primary school, I delved into drawing, reading, and writing, exploring various creative outlets.
The challenge arose in secondary school, a time of self-discovery, where my numerous passions clashed with family expectations rooted in academic achievement. Balancing the desire for a creative career with the pressure to pursue a traditional path was a struggle. Also, deciding which creative path to follow was crossing my mind constantly. Would it be writing, acting, modeling, dancing, drawing, painting, or costume design?

At the age of fourteen, I launched my modeling career alongside my education. In that time, I got used to earning a great amount of money, and because of that, the fear of financial instability as a struggling artist brooded. Discussions with my parents led to a compromise: studying to become a primary school teacher. It turned out to be a choice I never regretted, as working on schools with a lot of creative freedom for creating your lessons allowed me to incorporate all my creative pursuits into my teaching.

Life took a tragic turn at 33 with the birth of my son, which left me fighting for my life for months. Now, two years and a lot of rehabilitation programs later, I still can’t work and take care of my son by myself. Despite the physical and the emotional toll, it hasn’t only been bright doctors that saved me; my creativity emerged as a lifeline. When I was able to hold a pencil and look at a screen for a short amount of time, I found solace in writing and illustrating, rekindling my passion for storytelling.

While my teaching career is probably behind me due to the unforeseen health circumstances, the progress I’ve made in writing and illustrating during my rehabilitation fuels my hope. Despite the uncertainties, my creativity remains a source of strength, guiding me towards the dream of becoming a published writer and illustrator.

Vicreate, 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?

My journey unfolds amids the tulip fields and windmills of the Netherlands. Here, I, Vivian, a self-taught digital artist and writer, discover my inspiration. Within the cosy confines of my home, I share my life with my husband, my 2-year-old son Flynn, and a lively poodle named Eevee (yes, like the Pokémon!).
As a creator specialising in children’s illustration, I immerse myself in crafting vivid tales for Middle Grade and Young Adults. My art style is characterised by a vibrant and whimsical nature, featuring anthropomorphic characters in a detailed and colourful environment. Fantasy serves as my muse, and through the play of lighting, shading, and textures, I seek to create depth and dimension. Bright colours, intricate details, and exaggerated features come together to create a magical and enchanting atmosphere in my work.

My writing style is an exploration in descriptiveness, imagination, and engagement. Primarily, I write fantasy, mystery, and enchanting fairytales and folktales. I strive to use vivid imagery to paint a picture of the world I’m describing. Embedded in each tale lies an important learning lesson, resonating with the hearts and minds of young readers.

My art and writing have an inspirational bond. Whether an artwork ignites a story or a story summons my artistic brush, creativity knows no bounds. The roots of my inspiration trace back to childhood days filled with a passion for manga and anime, manifested in sketchbooks full of imaginitive anime characters.

In secondary school, my distinctive style took shape, drawing from the well of knowledge and practice. Writing, for me, is a visual journey – a picture movie playing in my mind. Using descriptive words to ensure the reader envisions it as vividly as I do. Beyond the creative flow, my process involves prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing.

Looking ahead to the coming year, my focus sharpens on completing projects. Despite health challenges, I harbour aspirations of seeking a literary agent with connections to the United Kingdom, the USA, and Australia.

My mission is profound – a calling to create stories and art that inspire, entertain, and educate. I want to use my creativity to explore new worlds, share important messages, and connect with others. A hopeful glance into the future reveals my short-term goal: to captivate my Instagram followers with short stories and cheerful art. Simultaneously, my long-term goal is to become a published writer and illustrator, leaving an enduring imprint on hearts worldwide.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative, particularly as a writer, is the profound journey of storytelling. The ability to give life to my imagination and share it with others is truly fulfilling. Creating something from scratch, whether it’s a piece of art or a story, and knowing that it can evoke emotions, inspire, or resonate with someone is really valuable to me. The dual role of an artist and writer allows me to express my creativity in diverse ways. Each medium complements the other, offering a holistic approach to storytelling. It’s the dynamic interplay between creation and connection that makes the journey as an artist and writer incredibly rewarding.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Launching my Instagram journey almost a year ago, without any social media experience and not being the strongest advocate for it, was challenging at first. The decision to open an account and share my work with the world was met with nervous anticipation, given how personal and important my art is to me.
Yet, in this apprehension, I discovered an incredibly warm and positive community within the Instagram art sphere. This newfound supportive community became an avenue to connect with and learn from like-minded people. My audience has grown to a loyal 6.5K followers, and I’m genuinely grateful for their continuous support.

Crafting a cohesive grid has been a journey of evolution, adapting to showcase both my art and stories. Maintaining a balance between art and stories is crucial to give all followers what they want; a regular posting schedule ensures both facets are consistently presented. Weekly postings, including a new piece of art and a storytelling reel, have become a hallmark of my engagement. Sometimes life gets in the way, but I try my best to be consistent.

Understanding the analytics through my Instagram Professional Dashboard has been vital in making informed choices for my profile. Actively supporting fellow artists, organising and participating in art challenges, and hosting and joining ‘Draw this in your style’ challenges have significantly contributed to expanding my reach.

For those just venturing into Instagram, nurturing a discerning eye is essential. Beware of dubious messages regarding paid commissions, promotions, or NFTs; they’re often scams. Secure platforms like Etsy or personal webshops are more reliable avenues for selling art or offering commissions.

A noteworthy tip for navigating the Instagram algorithm: reels, the video option, are algorithm darlings. Consistent reel postings with interesting content can substantially boost your following by expanding your reach.

Amids the perplexities of social media, the fundamental advice remains: persist in creating what inspires you. The ever-evolving algorithms may pose challenges, but resilience in your creative journey will always shine through.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: vicreate_illustrations
• Other: vicreate.illustrations@gmail.com