Skip to main content

Illustrator Interview: Fereshteh Najafi

I was checking out the website of the Noma Concours for Picture Book Illustrations and I saw these illustrations:




They are illustrations by Fereshteh Najafi for The Princess, the second prize winner for the 16th Concours (2008). I was intrigued. The illustrations are truly different from other children's book illustrations I have seen. I just had to get to know the illustrator!


The gorgeous Fereshteh Najafi was born in Tehran, Iran in 1973. She has a BA in graphic design and an MA in illustration from Tehran Art University. Below is my interview with Fereshteh. She was really candid about her work and children's literature in Iran!

How would you define Iranian children’s literature?

Literature in Iran has a very old and rich heritage. Many Iranian poets, such as Ferdosi, Nezami, and Molavi, are famous in the world. The main part of contemporary stories were inspired by them. As you know, children have always been attracted to fairy tales and find them pleasant, but there are some editors who want to keep book costs low. They don’t pay attention to good narratives, illustrations, and compositions. Thus, they present commercial books just like other commercial books all over the world.

What are the children’s books you have illustrated?

Baba Jan, Nane Jan (Hampa, 2001)
Lonely Mouse (Hampa, 2001)
Mr. Mathematics (Madreseh, 2001)
Along with the Bee’s Voice (Madreseh, 2002)
Mouse, Scarecrow, Bird (Madreseh, 2002)


Song in Field (Madreseh, 2002)


Secret of Shahrzad’s Pearls (Madreseh, 2004)
Guest of Moon (Elmi, Farhangi, 2005)
Neighbors (Madreseh, 2005)
Play’s Moon and Star (Madreseh, 2005)
Ariobarzan (Madreseh, 2007)
King Nader (Madreseh, 2007)


Ha Jastam (Kanoon, 2008)
The Princess (Shabaviz, 2008)
Lam Shir (Monadi, 2009)
Shirin Tarin Shahd (Monadi, 2009)
Tree Capricorn (Monadi, 2009)
Pinocchio (Leonardo, 2010)

And illustrations for elementary books and magazines in Iran. I was also the art director and graphic designer of Roshd-e-Noamooz magazine (2003 to 2005) and Roshd-e-Madresefarda magazine (2003 until 2008).

Can you please guide us through the creative process you use for illustrating children’s books?

First, I study the story, thinking several times about its objects, characters, and the spaces in which all the objects exist and move. Then I begin to create the images and figures. Usually the first plan is the most difficult part, because of the selection of technique and colors. In fact, the first plan guides the rest of the work. After drawing the initial outlines, I start to color. Every time I illustrate a book, I try to use new techniques. And that’s why I am fascinated by creating new ideas. I often end up with something different from what I had planned initially (but it is kept within the limits of the first plan). I carefully examine each illustration for several weeks so that I can bring each to a good end. It is not only important to think over illustrations and composition of colors, but also to find new ideas and create at the same time.

What are the challenges and rewards of being a children's book illustrator in Iran?

Low salary and employment make many illustrators search for additional jobs such as teaching and graphic design. The growth of Iran’s illustrations in the world isn't enough to support the illustrators.

What are the current trends in children’s book illustration in Iran? Who are you favorite Iranian children’s book illustrators? Why are they your favorites?

There are many young creative illustrators in Iran who have participated in international illustration fairs successfully. That’s what makes them well-known and encouraged to enter competitions. Children’s book illustrators, in trying to win a jury’s favor, neglect the interests of their real readers: children. On the other hand, some illustrators try to imitate other important ideas and styles. While one's creations are never imitable, I believe that the artists who are successful don’t copy others. They try to make new creations.

I admire many excellent Iranian illustrators, such as Farshid Shafiei, Hoda Hadadi, Atie Bozorgsohrabi, and so on. These illustrators, who use colors and lines to create poetic images, attract me. In her work, Hoda Hadadi applies decoupage, in which the good selection of colored paper and tissues as well as the characters of the story personalize the art. In her illustrations, the design of negative spaces has particular importance too.

Thank you so much for answering my questions, Fereshteh!

Below are more of Fereshteh's children's book illustrations. Her illustrations invite you to take a closer look and pore over all the details!




I'll end with my favorite illustrations from Fereshteh. These are for Guest of Moon and they are BEAUTIFUL. (At first Fereshteh only sent me the cover for Guest of Moon - the first image below - but I begged for more.) I really love the happy colors, the details, and the use of space. =D





ETA: You can click on the illustrations in this post to get a much better view of them!


ILLUSTRATIONS PROVIDED BY FERESHTEH NAJAFI. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Comments

  1. Najafi's work is beautiful, Tarie! Thanks for highlighting it. Another very talented Iranian artist is Nasrin Khosravi, who illustrated Rukhsana Khan's "A New Life". She also has a very distinct style.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fereshteh's illustrations make me happy. =D

    Aline, thanks for introducing me to Nasrin Khosravi's work!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow, you're right, these illustrations are really stunning. Thanks so much for highlighting Fereshteh's work.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Zoe, I love the innocence in Fereshteh's illustrations. ^_^ I'm so glad you like her work too!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Her style is unique and lovely. The Guest of Moon illustrations are my favorite. The colors really pop out.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Medeia, yes, the colors really do! =D

    * happiness because of Fereshteh Najafi *

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautiful, inspiring work, and a very special person too !

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi, Alida! Thank you so much for stopping by Asia in the Heart. =D

    ReplyDelete
  9. Her work is fantastic! The Guest of Moon also makes happy!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Julia, I just celebrated this blog's first anniversary and this post is secretly my favorite from the past year. Hee hee hee! =D

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you for this interview, Tarie! It's really gorgeous stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Yes, I'm verrrry slow getting to it. 2010 hasn't been my best year for prompt blog-reading!

    ReplyDelete
  13. No problem, Jules! Better late than never. Hahaha! I know you are very busy writing your book and blogging. I'm just glad you enjoyed Fereshteh's work!

    ReplyDelete
  14. My Name is Steve Jones from Canada, i turn to a vampire any time i want to, I become a real vampire because of how people treat me, This world is a wicked world and not fair to any body. At the snack of my finger things are made happened. Am now a powerful vampire and no one step on me without an apology goes free. I turn to human being also at any time i want to. And am one of the most dreaded and respected person in my country. i am now also very famous and rich with the help of the VAMPIRES EMPIRE. i get what ever a want. i become a vampire through the help of my friend who introduce me into a vampire Kingdom by given me their email: jamessuccessfultemple45@gmail.com, if you want to become a powerful and a real vampire kindly contact the vampire kingdom on their email: jamessuccessfultemple45@gmail.com for help. it is real. Contact them today. jamessuccessfultemple45@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ako'y Isang Mabuting Pilipino (I Am A Good Filipino) by Noel Cabangon and Jomike Tejido

This one is a real crowd pleaser: Ako'y Isang Mabuting Pilipino , Lampara Books ' 2012 picture book adaptation of Noel Cabangon 's song, with Cabangon's original Filipino lyrics, functional English translations by Becky Bravo , and illustrations by Jomike Tejido ! Cabangon's inspiring lyrics remind children of the ways they can be good Filipinos, such as doing their best in school and obeying their parents. There are plenty of reminders for adults too, such as following traffic rules and not selling their votes during elections. Tejido's illustrations are warm and wholesome, acrylic paintings on hand-woven mats that depict different ways to be good citizens.    You just can't go wrong with Ako'y Isang Mabuting Pilipino ! Children and adults will understand and appreciate the lyrics and paintings. The chords of the song are provided, so music lovers can play and sing along. There are notes and guide questions for educators. There is even

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

There is a barren mountain aptly called Fruitless Mountain, and by it lies the dark Jade River. In the shadow of the mountain is a poor village where everything is the dull color of mud. In this village live Ba and Ma and their quick-thinking daughter Minli. Ba, Ma, and Minli work hard in the fields every day, yet they only have plain rice to eat for their meals. Ma sighs with discontentment all the time. Minli looks at her weary father, her dissatisfied mother, and her desolate village and wishes she knew how she could change their fortune. Ba has told Minli wonderful stories about the Never-Ending Mountain and the Old Man of the Moon who knows the answer to all important questions, for he alone holds and reads the Book of Fortune. Minli decides to find the Never-Ending Mountain and climb up to the moon so that she can ask the Old Man how she can change her family's fortune. And so begins Minli's journey. Along the way, she makes many new friends, including a dragon, a buffa

Author Interview: Edna Cabcabin Moran

This was originally posted at Into the Wardrobe on May 28, 2009. Today, I am SO PROUD to present my interview with Filipino American author illustrator Edna Cabcabin Moran . *bursts with pride* Welcome, Edna!! Author/Illustrator, Edna Cabcabin Moran. Photo by Mark Moran. Can you tell us a bit about your Asian American heritage? My parents are from Eastern Samar, Philippines, an historic island in the Visayan island chain. My father was a U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer who brought my mom and older siblings to this country. I am the first American-born child in the family. Growing up, I always felt like I straddled two cultures. I'm very American in the way I dress, speak and carry myself. I don't know Tagalog and I lost touch with my parent's dialect, Waray Waray. However, I have strong cultural roots and have retained much of my Filipino-ness which includes a deep, abiding respect for the elders and their stories. Perhaps the family meal is a good indicator of how one is ra