Project overview
I started my Instagram account, @MaliyahMadeThis (currently inactive), during the COVID-19 pandemic. I shared digital art and elucidated the importance of diversity in the field. At the time, I noticed a lot of people picking up digital art, but few were taking the fact that their accounts had skin tones, hair textures, body shapes and genders missing (or how these absences impacted their audiences) into consideration.
Using my iPad, Apple Pencil and the digital illustration app Procreate, I adhered to a cohesive colour story in my digital illustrations to better represent people in the real global community.
I always credited the photographers, models and artists who inspired my work. Sometimes, that meant catching the eye of the subjects of my illustrations—allowing me to take on commissions and connect with creators, brands and local institutions (like the Waterloo Region District School Board) in a way I never had before. I’ve been blessed to have forged global creative connections with people, including influencer and founder of Djerf Avenue Matilda Djerf, New York Times Best-Selling Author Rupi Kaur and more!
@MaliyahMadeThis was also featured in local newspapers, including The Community Edition and the University of Waterloo’s Imprint.
