How the birth of her child inspired the illustrator of Mommy Goes To Yoga to switch career
We’re so pleased to have the opportunity to speak with illustrator, Yana Zybina, who worked on a simple yet meaningful book called Mommy Goes To Yoga.
It shows how me-time for mummies is great for family life, while also giving kids a taste of various yoga poses they can do together with mummy.
Russia-based Yana shares more about her process and her ways of bonding with her family.
Yana with her original drawings before they became the illustrations for the book.
Hi Yana! Can you tell us a bit more about yourself and how you became a children’s book illustrator?
I actually started my career as a designer. I was already into art while enrolled in an architectural academy. But with the birth of my child five years ago, I discovered the charming world of watching kids, how they respond with spontaneity as well as children’s literature. They inspired my first works. I began painting my son all the time during his daily activities. At some point, this hobby became a profession.
Was it a difficult changing your profession from designer to full-time illustrator?
It was a long process as it was difficult to completely give up the first job. I had to combine the two jobs for some time. But I don’t regret it. My illustrator job brings me much joy.
You draw a lot of children in your work. How do you try to show their essence or character?
For authors to win a child’s interest in a book, you have to write it in the language that they will understand. The same goes for illustrating. I try to notice special traits in the behavior of the children: how they sit, read or sleep. I then translate it into the language of illustration in a way which attract kids so that they can identify with the drawings.
Yana illustrates the similarities between a child practising mindfulness through play and a mum keeping fit with yoga.
What do you like most about the story of Mommy Goes To Yoga?
I liked how Paul (the author) wrote the story like a poem. The book is light and cheerful. It depicts that yoga isn’t only good for the body, but also for the spirit. When I received my copy of the book, my son copied the poses from the book immediately!
What is mindfulness to you? What do you do to keep yourself happy and calm?
I am very happy to live near the sea. Long walks with my family by the seaside are relaxing and inspiring. I often read about the benefits of art therapy and I think that I am very lucky - my job is my mindfulness. Being a parent is a pleasant but sometimes difficult job. To keep the family calm, moms and dads should be able need to relax and restore their own peace of mind.
Art is therapy. Yana has discovered that her job is her way of instilling mindfulness in herself.
As a children's book illustrators, how do you hope your work can have an impact on children?
It makes me happy while working when I imagine how parents around the world are reading books with my illustrations to their children. My hope for my illustrations is simply that through them, kids can better understand the world around them. And that they will bring a smile to children’s faces.
To see more of Yana’s works, check out her website or follow her on Instagram @yana_xo_xo
Mommy Goes To Yoga is available to purchase here.