Interview with Pupu Sulaiman

Pupu Sulaiman's world is based on fairy tales. Her illustrations suit into children's books and into galleries for all sorts of adults. Guess what...she is a Communication and Computer System Engineering graduate from Brunei. So I became curious and asked her about art and life.


Illustrativo: Seeing your work - most of the times you draw cute kids and girls. Is this because of your childhood or because you like children?

Pupu Sulaiman: Oh I love children! Especially their imagination – unexpected! They are my inspiration.

Also the flower and bird motifs - are they connected to a traditional background or something else?

The flowers: I love them and it makes my illustration lively and happy. The birds: They are unique being I feel. One that flies freely and can act as a protector.

And sometimes it's very childish - in a good way i mean - what's the reason?

The reason is I love children and fairy tale story. The birds are flying freely and sing which makes you smile whenever one is sad. The flowers bloom beautifully, sing and spread out sweet fragrance that comforts us by just being around them. My illustration is showing that fairy tale touch whom all kids love to see. My audience is to those who are young at heart.

How did you become an illustrator? What's your educational background?

It started off when I started doodling from a young age. I doodled on my school books, newspapers, my father's notebooks, on my school desk, on tissue papers, on my bedroom wall and even on the living room wall. Up until I graduated in Communication and Computer System Engineering, I found a website that I felt was interesting. They used Photoshop to visualize their ideas. So I started to learn how to use Photoshop. I learnt how to design websites, HTML and CSS codes which lead to me making my first website! I also learnt on how to create my own wallpaper. My desire and ambition grew and felt it was not enough learning all of these. So I kept working and came across another website where the artists used traditional painting, collage, mixed-media and implement them with Photoshop. It was very interesting!

What music do you listen to while working?

I mostly listen to soothing songs such as Soul & Blues

What are you trying to express/explain with your art?

My art is a reminder of each one of us has a kid inside of us...a child that still believes in fairy tale; loves happy ending and where the fairy tale world is better than the cruel world we live in.

What are your favourite topics?

Mother Nature.

What excites you?

That would be people smiling and appreciating my artwork. Praises and other comments of my work gets me going and makes me want to go further and achieve greater things.

Could you tell us something about your work process?

I draw out my ideas into my Moleskine book using black micro pen 0.4, 0.5 and a black pen. I’ll add all the details. Then I scanned it and tweak a little bit in the Photoshop. Photoshop is the best! I can add any little details I want or erased any unwanted things. Most of the time, I’ll go straight ahead to Illustrator CS and start illustrating using my tablet.



Which part of the work is the most interesting?

The most interesting part would be adding details to the illustration I made, such as on my cute little girls dress.

What do you enjoy mostly?

Well, at the moment I enjoy creating my fairy tale world and kokeshi dolls

How would you explain your work to a stranger?

In my opinion, a young female (girl) has their own mysteries, one that is easy to express their emotional side or feeling and as you said, childish... but in a good way! And that is why a girl is one of the elements in my artwork. The added details? They are up to you to interpret. Different people have different interpretation of what they are seeing. But for me, the added detail expresses what's in her mind – her feelings and emotions.

What is your dream work or project that you have not yet opportunity to make?

I dream of making a children's story book based on fairy tales that I illustrate. To collaborate ideas and work with other artist would be great as well and I hope to be able to paint kokeshi dolls..

What are your lifetime art goals?
First, I want to have my artworks displayed in galleries, and to be recognized as the up'n coming new talent in the illustration world. Spread my talent with me opening a school of art not only for the gifted, for all.

How do you typically spend your time when you don't work?

I spend my time in my room – doodling on my moleskine, photoshop-ing, working on my next painting. I go to art class every Saturday learning acrylics painting. I hang out with my girlfriends.

Who are your favorite artists?

May Ann Lucidine (Mall) from Philippines – her Babu and cat characters is awesome (Acrylic painting pro), Emila Yusof (from Malaysia) – she is good in illustrator CS, Irisz Agocs (from Hungary) – I love the way she use watercolor onto her artwork.

Who inspires/influences you?

The people around me: the children mostly.
Where can we find/see your works?

You can check at my website: http://bubbly-pu.com
At Deviantart: http://fille-bizarre.deviantart.com
My wallpaper at: http://sakatodesign.blogspot.com
Moleskine project: http://moleskineproject.com
Illustration Friday: http://illustrationfriday.com

What are you working on recently?

I’ve been making illustration fairy kokeshi dolls recently, and it’s been quite an addiction since last month. I even entered a contest creating Momiji Dolls at DontPanicOnline.com and adding to that, I'm currently thinking of my next illustrations for 16th Noma Concours for Picture Illustration Book contest.