Making political imagery fun and accessible, the

work of Aura Lewis is colourful inclusivity

at it’s finest…

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you came about illustration?

Since I was a little girl, my favorite thing to do was to draw and paint. However, it took me some time to turn this love into a full-time profession! I tried a few different career paths first (like psychology and architecture) and finally landed on graphic design and art direction. I learned a ton, and had some really interesting projects. But eventually I realized that I truly wanted to illustrate, and return to what I always loved best. So I went back to school, and got a Masters of Arts in illustration. I have been working as an illustrator and author ever since.

Your work sends a message of positivity and support whilst exploring the concept of female friendships. Where does your inspiration come from and why do you think this is a recurring theme in your work?

I’ve always deeply valued my close connections to my friends and my sisters, as a source of love, support and encouragement. In the last 12 years I’ve lived in 5 places around the world. I love these new experiences and find them inspiring, but they could also be isolating as you disconnect from everything familiar. It takes time and energy to create a home and a community in a new place! My long distance relationships with loved ones across oceans and continents have become very dear to me, and continue to uplift and inspire me daily.

The characters in your illustrations are wonderfully diverse. How important do you think it is to represent a range of people in your art?

I feel it is so important to depict people of all colors, shapes and abilities! In my mind, art should not only reflect our diverse reality, but also create a wish— for a more tolerant and pluralistic environment, and for a world where the concept of beauty is truly inclusive.

How crucial do you think picture books, like your book ‘We The People’, are in making activism accessible and teaching younger generations about such significant topics?

I know that many people, like me, are visual learners! I think that illustrated books can really help make big ideas and concepts more accessible and fun. And especially in these times, it’s so important to have access to knowledge and history in order to be politically involved and socially engaged.

Your choice of colour plays a big role in your illustrations. Is this important to you and do you think it affects how we view your art?

I absolutely love color! For me, color is like eye candy but also an emotional and visceral experience. I have some synesthesia so I really experience the world through color.

My palette of bright, warm and light colors makes me happy. It’s my favorite part of making an illustration. I know that each person experiences color differently, but I hope the colors elicit joy and pleasure.

Obviously, the world has been affected massively with so many different aspects and problems, particularly in 2020. Will we be seeing any of these issues explored in your future work or projects?

This year has been so challenging, with so much going on and so many issues to address. I continue to be interested in issues such as social activism and diversity, and how the current culture and reality affect women’s rights and lives. I am working on several projects right now that I hope will become books!

Thanks for chatting with us Aura! You can find more of Aura’s amazing work at Auralewis.com