Today we’d like to introduce you to Tatjana Mai-Wyss.
Hi Tatjana, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I was born in Switzerland and alternated between there and the US as a child. I grew up loving stories and then books. Since I was often still learning the language, I was always drawn to pictures to tell a story. I went to college in Illinois and double majored in illustration and French. After graduation, I started as a museum fabricator, and after a cross-country move, I went on to teach at a community art center in New Haven and lead their children’s program. I painted small murals for local restaurants and started building my freelance illustration career there. I have lived in quite a few places since, and I feel lucky to do flexible and portable work.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
During my career as an illustrator, I have moved many times. I have had two children, two cats, two rabbits, and a dog, and caring for those parts of our lives is also part of my work. Fortunately, my husband is the primary breadwinner, and we don’t rely on my income to survive. Life as a freelancer is unpredictable and varies wildly from month to month and year to year. As my family situation changes, I can adapt my work to fit my space and time. Children’s publishing is a long game, and I love learning new things and stretching my limits. Being an illustrator demands regular practice, finding and reaching out to possible new clients, and handling rejection. Balancing multiple projects and deadlines, staying organized and productive, and managing my time effectively is important. The need for constant marketing and self-promotion means overcoming self-doubt and insecurities. These common challenges for a freelance illustrator are often put in perspective by the rest of life and its demands, and I’m happy to have a home studio where I can weave all this together.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have a background in children’s publishing and varied experience as an illustrator. My work is still mostly traditional, usually done with watercolor, gouache, and colored pencils. I am proud of adapting to new technologies and excited by the potential of combining digital and analog materials. I am known for engaging and diverse characters, loving attention to detail, and a joyful color palette. I have now illustrated more than 25 books for children, including the popular series Bunny’s Book Club and Maddie and Mabel. My artwork has been published in books and magazines in the US and Europe. My current challenge is working on some author-illustrator manuscripts of my own. I am interested in creating and developing characters and telling stories that draw attention to small things that may be overlooked. While I enjoy working quietly in my studio on book projects, I love collaboration. I recently designed a custom gift wrap for a new bookstore in Pendleton, SC, and a seed packet for Sow True Seed in Asheville. I worked with GoodPrintedThings in Greenville on an illustrated map of coffee shops in the Upstate. I also enjoyed designing the poster for the local production of the Nutcracker.
Are any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
Working alone in a small town, I greatly benefit from the internet and its possibilities in connecting me to the broader world. I have made many actual friends through Instagram (and when I later met them in real life, it was even better). My favorite app for digital work is Procreate, and this next year, I will also learn to use Clip Studio Paint, which is especially useful for creating graphic novels. I am building my Pinterest account but also use it extensively for research. I often listen to library audiobooks through the Libby app. I like to ease into the day with a quick Duolingo Spanish practice. Some podcasts I listen to are ologies, Obsessions: Wild Chocolate, and Creative Pep Talk. To answer any questions about getting into children’s book publishing, I send people to this blog: https://www.kidlit411.com or the Society Of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators: https://www.scbwi.org.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tatjanamaiwyss.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tatjanamaiwyss/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tatjana-mai-wyss-3296422a/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/tatjanamaiwyss/
Image Credits
Sow True Seed Good Printed Things Random house Children’s Books Louisa Mai
