Meet The Illustrator: Remy Lai

Name: Remy Lai

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.

Fun. Adaptable. Mine.

What items are an essential part of your creative space?

A good sofa, a cup of tea, windows, TV, and my dogs’ bed (which come with my dogs).

Do you have a favourite artistic medium? 

Pen and paper. 

Name three artists whose work inspires you. 

Jen Wang, Shaun Tan, Aaron Renier.

Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why? 

I’d stay in our current artistic period because graphic novels are finally gaining recognition.

Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?

I’ve been drawing since I can remember, and I love reading comics and watching animated TV shows and movies, so I was inspired by a wide range of artists and things. When other kids dropped drawing for other activities, I never did. But it was only in college that it occurred to me that I could work as an illustrator. 

Can you share a photo of your creative work space or part of the area where you work most often? Talk us through it.
This is my old space. I didn’t have a dedicated space then—this was the dining table. I recently moved, so I’m currently in the process of creating my ideal creative work space. It’s very exciting!

What is your favourite part of the illustration process?

Designing a character! It’s like finally getting to meet a character that has been walking around in my head for a long time. 

What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator? 

Have fun.

Remy Lai writes and draws for kids. She is the creator of Pie in the Sky and Fly on the Wall, which are prose/graphic novel hybrids. Her debut middle grade graphic novel (Pawcasso) releases in 2021. She can be found exploring the woods near her home with her dogs. 

For more information please visit Remy's website or follow her on instagram