Kuwentong Musmos Illustrator Interview: Pepot Zamora Atienza

Here is Pepot Zamora Atienza's interview on his adventures and experience in Baguio during the Illustrator's Workshop for Room to Read's Kuwentong Musmos book project. Pepot's colorful renditions of Reina Peralta's Ang Nanay Kong Drayber  (Lampara Books, 2019) makes the book a visual feast for the eyes. Read on!

What is your creative process for 'Ang Nanay kong Driver'?

I originally thought of creating dioramas for this book project pero eventually mas sinemplehan ko nalang since kalaban po ay oras. So what I did is flat-lay clay illustration with a bit of help of computer graphics. I created the characters and all the other elements using modelling clay. I photographed them one by one and lay it out in photoshop. I really liked the spectrum of colors and the soft texture of modelling clays. It has this appeal that kids would enjoy to look at.

 2.    What is the picture book/children’s book you wish you had created or illustrated?

Well to be honest, sobrang natuwa na ako sa 'Ang Nanay kong Driver' hindi ko na naimagine na ibang story ang gagawin ko. Magaganda ang lahat ng story. I just believe na sakto sa art style ko yung ginawa ko for the story ng 'Ang Nanay kong Driver'.

3.  What are your 5 tips for aspiring illustrators?

1) Trust the creative process. I learned a lot from the workshops of RtR (Room to Read) and it was an eye-opener for me as an illustrator na may tamang proseso pala sa pagawa ng libro. The proccess may be tedious, from doing thumbnails to the final art. Follow these kasi it'll make sure na you are on track to creating a great children's book.

2) Always inspire yourself by looking at critically-acclaimed children's books and observe carefully what makes the book really good.

3) Read the story you are going to illustrate at least 50 times. Dapat sobrang familliar ka dun sa gustong iparating ng writer, reading it for only a few times baka mamisinterpret mo yung story. Then from there pag nakuha mo na yung message ng author, add your own take to the story using your illustrations. Basta important na nandun pa rin essence at intention sa story ng writer.

4) Ask other people's opinions. Let them constructively criticize your work. Masaya rin na may makita kang perspective ng iba kasi mas magkakaron ng dimension ang isang idea.

5) Enjoy the process. Be creative, imaginative and always do your best. Pag hindi ka nag-enjoy, it can reflect sa work mo or worse you'll end up with "what ifs" pag hindi mo ginawa yung best mo. 

4. What are your 5 recommended books for young artists or anyone who wishes to break out into picture book illustration.

Siguro childrens illustrators nalang ang irerecommend ko. Advice ko na obserbahan ang books and other works nila kasi sobrang consistent sa art style and super galing. Robert Alejandro, Beth Parocha, Sergio Bumatay, Liza Flores, Aldy Aguirre, pero actually halos lahat sa Ang InK magagaling. I love them all!

 5. What part in 'Ang Nanay kong Driver' did you enjoy drawing the most or proved challenging to draw?

I really loved the palengke scene. Sobrang challenging kasi i have to illustrate a lot of people plus kung ano binebenta nila or ginagagwa nila. Ang mga prutas, gulay, isda, karne, ang mga basket, bilao ay tinyaga kong gawin isa-isa Ang saya-saya nung matapos ko kasi sobrang makulay, ramdam ko yung pagiging busy ng palengke. Tsaka kuha na rin yung essense nung story sa spread na ito, about gender roles.