Paid 2 Draw – An Illustration Podcast

• 34. Studio MUTI and the Power of Versatility

  This week we talk to two of the three founders of Studio MUTI, a Cape Town-based creative studio. Miné Day and Brad Hodgskiss share their journey from starting a small illustration studio in 2011 to now managing a vibrant team of 18 creatives with a diverse range of styles and skills — from animation and lettering to icons and digital painting. Versatility is one of MUTI’s strongest assets. By sharing knowledge, communicating on eye level and a mutual sense of curiosity, they keep on pushing stylistic boundaries and continuously challenge themselves to sustain a shared excitement for the craft. Throughout our conversation, Brad and Miné discuss the difficulties of maintaining artistic versatility, the importance of collaboration, and the balance between creative work and management responsibilities. Their shared understanding of creative problem solving is to aspire to always create the kind of work they can be proud of and that is worthy of landing a spot in their pristine portfolio. Our conversation also touches on the challenges of balancing creative freedom with financial stability, the dynamics of working in a team with diverse specializations, and the excitement surrounding upcoming projects and events. Listen, learn and share this episode with all your illustration friends! And while you’re at it: Sign up to Studio MUTI’s online session & workshop at Creative Works East on October 2nd and 4th, 2025. _________FOLLOW MUTI: Website: studiomuti.co.zaInstagram: @studiomutiDribbble: dribbble.com/studioMUTI_________If you liked this episode, please subscribe and leave a review. And follow Paid 2 Draw on Instagram, Spotify and TikTok. _________Hosted by Vicky Cichoń and Dave Leutert. Music by Amanda Deff.

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• 33. Angela Kirkwood Rediscovered Her Passion for Animation During Covid

  Based in Glasgow, Angela Kirkwood is an illustrator and animator known for her whimsical, topsy-turvy worlds filled with expressive characters that inspire joy and curiosity. Having worked for clients like Adult Swim, Nike and The New York Times, her work is characterized by a unique DIY aesthetic that evokes nostalgia for childhood cartoons. Angela transitioned from a career in graphic design during the pandemic to pursuing animation and illustration full-time. In this episode, Angela emphasizes the value of seeking inspiration beyond the screen. She shares how stepping away from the computer and immersing herself in real-life experiences fuels her creativity and helps avoid repetition. Angela believes that seeking out inspiration off-line allows for a more personal touch in her work, helping her create authentic art that resonates deeply with audiences. Angela's approach to character design is both intuitive and intentional, capturing the essence of human emotion in a playful and engaging way. She draws inspiration from everyday interactions, infusing her characters with a sense of joy and underlying complexity. Her characters—although often simple in form—are designed to be easily animated, allowing their personalities to shine through in motion. She also discusses the importance of community support, the impact of AI on jobs, and why life is hard, but reality TV helps. Listen, learn and stop asking for permission to be your own weird, authentic self. _________MENTIONED LINKS: • University of Dundee: BDes Illustration • “The Animator’s Survival Kit” by Richard Williams • Norman McLaren (Scottish-Canadian animator) • “Quasi at the Quackadero” (1976) by Sally Cruikshank • Priit Pärn (Estonian cartoonist & animation director) • Bravo TV _________FOLLOW ANGELA: Instagram: @angelakirkwood Website: angelakirkwood.com Shop: angelakirkwood.com/shop _________If you liked this episode, please subscribe and leave a review. And follow Paid 2 Draw on Instagram, Spotify and TikTok. _________Hosted by Vicky Cichoń and Dave Leutert. Music by Amanda Deff.

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• 32. Brett Stenson — Finding Balance in Art and Life

  By popular demand, we finally talked to Brett Stenson from Portland, Oregon. Brett is a multi-disciplinary artist, illustrator and Senior Art Director at Young Jerks. Heavily influenced by forgotten ephemera from bygone eras, Brett’s work reflects a deep connection to the natural world and explores the delicate balance between nature and human existence. In this episode, Brett tells us how the ability to get lost in creating something can feel like an advantage during difficult times. He shares insights into his creative journey — from his early days in Wisconsin to working at Jolby & Friends — and we get a detailed description of his wood-carving process and daily routines, despite dark days and buggy video calls. Throughout the conversation, Brett emphasizes the need for balance in life, the importance of working with a supportive team and how developing his style was a natural process influenced by experiences. We also touch on topics like mentorships, mental health and Midwestern work ethics. And we almost uncover where the milk comes from. Almost. Don’t miss this front-row seat into Brett’s biome! 🧠 And make sure to tell all your design friends about it. Subscribe to stay updated on future convos with other talented artists. _________MENTIONED LINKS: • Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD): Product Design Major • Jolby (Portland-based creative studio) • The Dans: Dan Cassaro & Dan Christofferson • Ed “Big Daddy” Roth • Richard Scarry • Nucleus Gallery in Portland • Kelly Thorn (Sr. Art Director at Young Jerks) • “Desperate Oasis” from Weast Coast Games • 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' logo by House Industries • Brett’s Prosperous Innkeeper card for Secret Lair / Magic: The Gathering _________FOLLOW BRETT: Instagram: @brettpstenson Website: brettstenson.com Shop: brettstenson.bigcartel.com YJ Instagram: @youngjerks YJ Website: youngjerks.com _________If you liked this episode, please subscribe and leave a review. And follow Paid 2 Draw on Instagram and TikTok. _________Hosted by Vicky Cichoń and Dave Leutert. Music by Amanda Deff. 

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• 31. Raman Djafari on Navigating the Animation Industry (Live at The Boys Club Berlin)

  Raman Djafari is a Berlin-based illustrator, animator and filmmaker who has created visuals for some of the biggest musicians and brands, including Elton John, Dua Lipa, Coldplay, Adult Swim, The New Yorker and Spotify. Their award-winning “Cold Heart” music video was beamed across the world during Elton John’s Glastonbury performance and has been viewed over 600 million times on YouTube. Currently, Raman is represented as a director by the London-based production studio BlinkInk. Animation is a labor of love. This week, Raman takes us on a deep dive into navigating the animation industry — and shares their love for the craft and the community. With a background in illustration and design, Raman ventured into animation, filmmaking and music videos, expanding his practice and toolset with each project. Transitioning fluently from 2D to 3D animation, they create surreal worlds and characters that transcend all norms and oscillate between the familiar and the fantastical. In this episode, Raman explores the role of artists in envisioning alternative realities through their work. They emphasize the need for fair compensation and the importance of collective action to overcome current labor rights issues in the animation industry. Raman also reflects on his own creative process, the significance of keeping a sketchbook, and the challenges of pursuing personal projects while navigating commercial demands. Don’t miss this intimate conversation with one of the most innovative artists and filmmakers of our time, live-recorded at The Boys Club in Berlin on June 23rd, 2025. _________MENTIONED LINKS: • HTW Berlin: BA Game Design • HAW Hamburg: MA Illustration • Annecy Animation Festival • Artists/Animators: Bobby Chiu, Niki Lindroth von Bahr, Jack Zhang, TOKAY, Daniel Almagor, Haneen Koraz • Directors: Wim Wenders, Andrei Tarkovsky, Alice Rohrwacher • Painters: Cecily Brown, Dana Schutz, Jordan Kasey, Sasha Gordon • Authors: Ottessa Moshfegh, Ocean Vuong • Music videos:“feelslikeimfallinginlove” by Coldplay, “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)” by Elton John & Dua Lipa, “Pamphlets” by Squid, “Worms” by Ashnikko, “Snow” by FJAAK • BlinkInk (world-class, London-based production studio) • Blender 3D • TVPaint (2D animation software) • Thanks to The Boys Club Berlin for hosting! _________FOLLOW RAMAN: Instagram: @ramandjafariFacebook: ramandjafariartworkTumblr: ramandjafari.tumblr.comWebsite: ramandjafari.comAgency site: blinkink.co.uk/directors/raman-djafari_________If you liked this episode, please subscribe and leave a review. And follow Paid 2 Draw on Instagram, Spotify and TikTok. _________Hosted by Vicky Cichoń and Dave Leutert. Music by Amanda Deff. 

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• 30. Yuko Shimizu’s Journey from PR to Illustration

  In this episode, we talk to award-winning Japanese illustrator Yuko Shimizu (清水裕子) about her journey from quitting a career in corporate PR to becoming a successful artist and educator—highlighting all the challenges and triumphs along the way. Our conversation touches on the importance of self-promotion, how to deal with imposter syndrome, and the role of art education in shaping an artist’s career. Instead of fixating on what she can’t affect, Yuko focuses on the things she can control. All we can do as illustrators at any given time is to create the best work within our capabilities—the rest is out of our hands. With over 20 years of experience, Yuko shares valuable insights on finding your unique artistic voice, the significance of mental health in creativity, and the importance of giving back to the community. Working in this field is all about learning to deal with disappointments. Rejection is a normal part of the creative journey and shouldn’t be taken too seriously. This episode is a treasure trove of advice for both aspiring illustrators and seasoned professionals alike. Yuko shares useful tips on how to navigate the creative industry. She emphasizes the need for artists to be genuine, to share knowledge, and to navigate their careers with honesty and humility. _________MENTIONED LINKS: • Artists: Christoph Niemann, James Jean, Marshall Arisman, Minh Uong, Tomer Hanuka, Shepard Fairey, Marcos Chin, SHOUT (Alessandro Gottardo), David Sandlin, Gary Panter, Chip Kidd • Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan • SVA MFA Illustration as Visual Essay • NYT email format: [email protected] • Yuko’s FAQ page • Thanks to Ari Liloan (aka @madeby_ari) for the thoughtful questions. _________FOLLOW YUKO: Instagram: @yukoartBehance: be.net/yukoFacebook: fb.com/pages/Yuko-ShimizuWebsite: yukoart.comShop: yukoart.bigcartel.comYuko’s Skillshare courses Books: “The Cat Man of Aleppo”, “Up, Up, Ever Up!”, “Barbed Wire Baseball” _________If you liked this episode, please subscribe and leave a review. And follow Paid 2 Draw on Instagram, Spotify and TikTok. _________Hosted by Vicky Cichoń and Dave Leutert. Music by Amanda Deff. 

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