Stroll to local bookstores and you’ll easily spot this lavishly illustrated books on the best seller’s shelves.
It was a rainy day,
with a hot darjeeling tea,
warm striped blanket
and polka dot socks.
One perfect moment
to read stories
for cats.
With such a simple and plain synopsis written in the backside of the book, expect a heart-warming short stories inside (complete with related illustrations), all made with pure love and passion towards drawing and writing itself.
Our team personally love this book – Stories For Rainy Days – and we wanted to know more about the person behind this amazing artworks.
And thankfully we had the chance to talk to the author, Naela Ali, a 24-year-old graphic designer and illustrator.
Here’s the conversation we had about her hobbies, her struggles in career until her project she’s working on.
Read more, and get inspired.
1. We see that you love to draw since at early age and drawing is the thing you’re really passionate about, we want to know, how it feels to have a career based on your passion?
Yes, I drew since I could barely read and write. Not only drawing has became my passion, it has became my life. Beside drawing, I love to read and write too since I was in elementary school. Since then, I had a dream to publish my very own book.
To be able to make a living from my passion is beyond wonderful. It doesn’t feel like a job at all. It feels really fun, it’s more like playing around and getting paid as a result of doing something I really like. And I’m very, very grateful that I’m given the chance to live my dream and it won’t stop right here, I want to keep making books, so I could buy myself another books hahaha.
2. How do you start your career? Can you share some of your struggle to climb up to this point you’re at?
It was amazing, looking back from the beginning when all I did was sharing things I loved until this point that I got my works recognized and appreciated.
3. We’re also curious about the lowest point in your career life, do you mind to share a bit? And how did you manage to gather up the courage to start again?
As I mentioned before, I quit my job, and all I had was only Asobi. I was young and bad in managing a brand. I had no one to help me. From designing to shipping, I did it all myself. I was also bad at managing money, but I knew I couldn’t keep asking my father because I have graduated from college, I should stand for my own life and it wasn’t that easy. But it doesn’t stop me from drawing.
I just let my passion brings me to places and here I am now. I may have problems, but it can’t stop me. Because in drawing, I found myself and I found happiness, and that what matters.
4. If you have to describe yourself in 3 words, what would it be?
Simple, happy, introvert.
5. How do you see yourself in the next five years? Is there any project you’ve been working on?
6. Last question, is there any new activities that you put interest in or willing to try aside from drawing and making your own business?
I want to learn how to cook. I think it is something interesting. I love drawing food, I like to eat, but too bad I couldn’t eat my drawings. That’s why I need to learn to make the real food so I can eat it haha.
–
“The cream bath and mani-pedi were great! I really love them. It was simple and easy, and I love simplicity. And the cream bath, the massage was really relaxing, I love it! My nails are also beautiful, Salon by Houzcall team really paid attention to details in making my nails good and pretty.”
Photos from Instagram @naelaali and @storiesforrainydays
SBH // ve
Beauty & Beyond 