Today we’d like to introduce you to Louise Nillas.
Louise, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Ever since I could hold a crayon, I had always loved to draw. I would use up stacks and stacks of fax paper, sit on the floor and doodle anything that came to mind, drawings of my family, my favorite animals, and especially the characters from my favorite children’s books and cartoons and as much as I loved to draw, I loved telling stories. I would take spare sheet protectors, sandwich drawing panels in between and ask my mom to staple them together to make my own illustrated book. This love for art and storytelling only grew more intense as left behind fax paper and graduated to notebooks to doodle in. I remember in elementary school, I would have a single beat-up notebook to draw in, where there would be a character that traveled obstacles of bubble lettering and comic panels in order to get to the final page. My classmates enjoyed reading through the book and to my surprise were always excited for me to finish the next “installment” when recess came around. I was lucky to have parents that thoroughly supported my love of art and storytelling, always saving up coupons for art supplies and stationary. That love and support have transcended nineteen years now that I am majoring in Design and Production, and I am incredibly grateful to have been brought up in an environment that taught me to pursue what made me happiest.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Growing up Filipino, there has always been talking among the relatives of “When are you going to be a nurse?” which is common in Filipino families. One would think that since my dad is a nurse there would be the same pressure at home but my parents always told me to pursue the things in life that make me happy. While there was acceptance under my roof, there was still an incredible amount of self-doubt on my part. I knew that I’ve always enjoyed creating art and telling stories, and I was disciplined in my involvement with creative organizations and self-teaching. I knew that there was nothing else I could pursue that would make me as happy as a creative career in art and storytelling, yet there was (and still is) a part of me that recognizes it’s unconventionality. I think that this idea of being the “starving artist” is the struggle that plagues most creative people. For most of my life, I feared to tell the adult figures around me that art was all I ever wanted to do. I knew that backlash that would come with it. It wasn’t until high school where I learned about the evolving artistic practices from my art teachers where I felt comfortable in saying I wanted to pursue art. Finding my niche in university continued to affirm my love for this creative journey.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with BABEYBLOU – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I’ve branded myself as BABEYBLOU on social media as a creative combination of my nickname “Lou” and one of my favorite colors. I make illustrations and designs to share on my creative platforms, sell prints and accessories of my work on websites such as inprnt and redbubble, and offer to do commission requests on social media.
Simply search up “babeyblou” on any of the socials and you will find me. I am most active on Instagram and Twitter.
Much of my art is centered around characters, oftentimes portrayed in soft yet vibrant colors. For the past year, I had focused on improving my portraiture for my highschool portfolio while I am now trying to recenter my artistic style to creating immersive panels that tell a fraction of a story, whether that be from the character’s expression, their clothes, or that action that is taking place. I take my inspiration from vintage fashion, women, folklore, and mythology.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
While my focus is mainly in illustration and design, I am also studying how to create motion graphics, animation, and video editing as well as digital comics to add to my portfolio. There are so many things I want to learn and I am excited to expand my skillset and become a more well-rounded artist. I would love to publish a graphic novel one day or create an illustrative series based around traditional Filipino folklore.
Contact Info:
- Website: babeyblou.carrd.co
- Email: babeyblou@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/babeyblou
- Facebook: facebook.com/babeyblou
- Twitter: twitter.com/babeyblou
- Other: artstation.com/lrnillas
Image Credit:
Cecilia Giselle Romero
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