Maya Ishalom
Maya Ish-Shalom
illustrator + designer
Q&A
Why did you choose to become
an illustrator?
Since I was young, I have always been drawing places I've traveled and people I've met. After I took a children's books course, I started thinking illustrating might be my direction. With illustration, I love that I can reach both kids and adults.
What's been your proudest
career-moment?
My proudest career moment has to be when I quit my part time job as a graphic designer and started working as a freelance illustrator. It was a little scary, but I knew it was the right thing to do. It's really exciting to spend 100% of my time doing
what I love.
What's your favorite medium
to work with?
I'm often jumping between paper and digital techniques.
I love to sketch on paper, especially with black markers, but mostly I illustrate on Photoshop. It gives me freedom to do whatever I want, in any format and any color.
"I found that illustration is the best way for me to communicate and to express myself.
I love to create illustrations without text that grasp a specific moment and feeling."
more about me...
when i was little i wanted to be...
A fashion designer! I started sewing when I was 14 and used to sew all my clothes.
a fun fact about me is...
I illustrated the children's book, Snow of Dandelions, which was published by Yediot Books.
my favorite peice i've ever drawn is...
An illustration I did for the swimwear brand SummerSalt. I was asked to illustrate a summer memory from my childhood. One of my favorite things I used to love doing in the summer was going into the sea or the pool.
"I want the next generation of girls to believe in themselves. You're capable of much more than you think."
