Architect provides online tuition in the fields of drawing and illustration for all age groups

Find out more about Christeena

• Tell us more about your subject. How did you develop an interest in this field?

  I teach illustration and art on Superprof and it has been a great journey so far I must say. Illustration is a simple visual method to represent your ideas and creative thoughts in a visually provoking way to let the users convey a message. The art of illustration takes years of practice to gain experience as it is more about how simple the abstract can be made of something in the most basic means. My main spare time interest since childhood was art, especially scribbling on walls which my parents never restricted me to do. It helped me widen my imaginative skills and which were put to further action to visualize my ideas. This interest grew over the years leading me to pursue a career in design, i.e architecture in college.

• What or who is the motivation behind you choosing to teach & why?

  It was my mother who inspired me to take up teaching as a side hustle during my college days. She had seen my interest in art since childhood and had been my mentor throughout. One day she insisted that I put my skills and talents to use for others as well by sharing the knowledge about this field with those who are eager to learn. Once I started teaching, I understood the other level of joy when you get to share your insights with others and how we can impact the lives of students in a positive way, which indeed boosts their confidence as well. Initially it was difficult for me to understand a student, but once I got the technique I enjoyed the whole process of teaching someone from scratch.

• How does your work help society?

  Like I mentioned earlier, illustration is a powerful tool for using art to convey a message in a simple manner to an audience. Illustration is more like a language, a universal language, understood by all. I believe by sharing my knowledge about illustrating ideas to others, I will be able to empower them as well, which in fact will impact society, leading to a better nation. One great example is RK Laxman's illustrations which have created a great impact on the citizens of India. No skill is small. Everything is a power when put to use in the right way and using it as the right tool to propagate ideologies. When I teach my students, I teach a nation. Indian being this multilingual nation, illustrations play a very important role, neglecting the gap between the literate and the illiterate.

• If you had to think of a role model for your work, who do you think of & why?

  Right away it will be RK Laxman. An amazing artist and illustrator conveying his ideologies and criticized others' deeds through his powerful tool. I can resonate with his works so much as I myself use the same scheme for criticizing and portraying my ideas. I have understood the impact that illustrations can have on various occasions.

• Tell us about your hobbies outside teaching.

  My hobbies demonstrate a diverse range of interests, including creativity, social issues, learning, self-reflection, entrepreneurship, teaching, photography, traveling, and socializing. I create digital illustrations to convey my social messages and break stereotypical societal norms. I read books in the meantime and I enjoy learning new things and exploring new ideas. I also enjoy listening to TEDx talks in order to learn from experts and gain insights into various topics.

• Do you have an anecdote to tell us about your student or professional life?

  One of the most famous illustrations in children's literature is the cover art of "The Cat in the Hat" by Dr. Seuss. The illustrator behind this iconic image is Theodor Geisel, who is better known by his pen name, Dr. Seuss. When Geisel was first approached to illustrate "The Cat in the Hat," he was given a list of 400 words that were considered important for first-grade readers to learn. The challenge was to create a story that used only those words, and the result was the classic tale of the mischievous cat who turns a dull rainy day into a wild adventure. However, creating the iconic image for the cover of the book was not as straightforward. Geisel originally drew the Cat's hat in a variety of different styles, including a stovepipe hat and a sombrero. But none of them seemed quite right. It wasn't until Geisel was walking through an airport and saw a woman wearing a pillbox hat that he had his eureka moment. The simple, clean lines of the hat inspired him to create the Cat's signature headwear. The Cat in the Hat went on to become a beloved classic, and the image of the Cat's tall, red-and-white-striped hat has become instantly recognizable to generations of readers. It's a great example of how inspiration can come from unexpected places, and how a simple, well-designed illustration can capture the imagination of millions!