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Maanvi is a lover of fine art, good design and all things illustration. Fine Art was a part of her life from an early age and she received formal training in painting and sculpture. She’s a Visual Communication graduate from Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology, but that’s on paper.
Her true love lies in illustration, and that means anything from portraits to nature to still life.
She also adores well-made desserts, superhero movies and Leonardo Dicaprio.

Why are you an Illustrator?
I had a fine art background since school. I found illustration early on in college and fell in love with how many diverse ways I could use to express myself through illustration.

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
Yes I attended and graduated from Srishti School of Art Design and Technology in Bangalore.

You have a distinct style of illustration. How long did it take you to develop your style?
I think my style is still in development, and I have always focused on the quality of my work than going for a style.

Were there any particular role models for you when you grew up?
As a child I always watched my grandmum paint huge canvases and she was my first inspiration.
Later on I was inspired by Frida Kahlo and Amrita Shergill’s work. And today, thanks to social media, I’m inspired by new work and new people everyday.

Who was the most influential personality on your career in Illustrations?
I think illustration for me was a combination of personalities that I mentioned above, but also partly from graphic novels (especially my pen and ink work).

What made you decide to become a freelance illustrator? When did you start freelancing? Do you illustrate for advertising?
I started out as a freelancer right after college, but didn’t have the finance or the experience to sustain freelance.
Only after five years of full time work(which includes design and illustration for advertising) I have recently resumed as a freelancer
and been doing so for the past 8 months.

You also do a fair bit of graphic design. Tell us something about your work for brands…
I have been doing graphic design ranging from branding, advertising to print work for brands like Wipro, Himalayan, Diageo
and a few Future Group brands among others.

Are many advertising agencies getting illustrations made these days? Do you work more with agencies or publishers?
I think advertising agencies work based on what the client wants and it can get difficult to push illustration in the mix.
But lately I have found that people are opening up to experimentation with styles of advertising.
I end up working with a mix of both sometimes, and sometimes neither.

Was there any time when you wanted to quit Illustrations?
Nope. Never

Have you considered turning your illustrations into toys?
No, but that would be an amazing opportunity.

Any other Indian Illustrators who you admire?
I have great respect for Orijit Sen’s work and how he has put Indian illustration on the world map.
And I got to work with him which was a brilliant experience.

Do you have any favorite fellow illustrators or resources relating to your fields?
My partner is definitely one of my favourites and not just his work but also because he continuously has a critical eye towards my work,
which makes me see my work from a new perspective at times.

You have such a wide experience as a top working professional. What advice do you have for aspiring creative professionals? Would you advise them to take on Illustration as a career option? Is it paying well enough?
I think any career option is worth it till you’re having fun doing it, and especially being an illustrator you need to love what you do
because it reflects in your work. I think the main thing about money in this field is that people really end up undermining themselves.
I think believing in your work is the most important and then the money will follow. Take my advice because at times I learned the hard way.

Whats your dream project?
I think taking from the last answer, for me the most important is to take every project as a dream project.
Always love what you do and do what you love. (Bit of a cliche, I know)

Mac or PC?
Mac

Who would you like to take out for dinner?
Gustav Klimt

What’s on your iPod?
I don’t have an iPod.

Whats your Twitter Handle?
@maanvikapur (I don’t have much of a handle on it though)

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