Lily Jousson (pen name Patattoune) is an illustrator currently based in Geneva, Switzerland. She often travels around, especially to Kent (UK), which gave her the nickname of “static nomad”. Born and raised in Geneva by a Korean mother and a Swiss father, her view of the world, as well as her work, has been shaped by multiculturalism.
Lily is mostly inspired by her travels, nature, and whimsical stories. She mainly works digitally as it is a flexible medium, although traditional techniques such as pen markers, watercolors, gouache, and pencils have a special place in her heart.
I adore the “self-love” reminder that you have in your art. What went into the development of that?
Self-love is, in my opinion, one of the pillars of happiness. When we search for others’ appreciation to feel valid, we neglect ourselves and will never have enough affection to feel fulfilled. By taking care of our own needs and not sacrificing our well-being to please others, we respect and honor ourselves.
As RuPaul would say “if you don’t love yourself, how you gonna love somebody else?“. As the journey to self-love can be quite labyrinthic, I wanted to develop the idea to remind people (and myself) to not give up.
Inclusion context is also visible in your art, and women are present as a figure, where do you get your ideas from?
I wanted to create relatable illustrations, and images that would resonate with everyone. Representation matters so much!
Growing up, I couldn’t find people looking like me in the media, and women, in particular, were always seen through the male gaze lens. I couldn’t relate. Illustrations can be a conversation starting point, and my aim is to include everyone in it.
Switzerland is also visible in your artwork, and Geneva, do you have your favorite place in Geneva?
Although it is a relatively small city, there are so many great places! If I had to choose only one, I would say by the lake, on either side. In the summer, you get that particular lake smell that cannot be found anywhere else in the world!
Working alongside clients to create rich and textured bespoke illustrations is one of her core joys. Projects such as editorial, publishing, web icons, album covers, murals, and custom portraits: she can do much more! Having experienced working remotely, she enjoys the challenge of each new project and communicating with clients and creatives.
While you have different freelance work, what keeps you motivated to keep making your own work?
Drawing is a vital form of self-expression for me. I need it to feel alive, balanced, and at peace. Motivation comes easily as I don’t think I could live without it!
You’re doing a lot of different types of design work. You have calendars, postcards, stickers, and zine, where do you find the ideas to create your own products?
By listening to people around me, their needs, their wants. From there, I just follow my heart: what would bring people joy? What would I love to create or have? Then, projects are conceptualized around the answers.
What are the benefits of an independent illustrator?
Without hesitation, the flexibility and diversity of each day as well as the gratified feeling it provides.
What are the challenges of an Illustrator as an entrepreneur?
Having a good structure to separate professional and personal time has been particularly challenging for me. If not careful, the blending of the two is almost inevitable. Having a good balance will bring fresh ideas and the necessary stamina to achieve them!
How do you match your own signature style with the business side of being a professional creator?
Clients will usually already know what kind of style they are looking for, based on my portfolio or my social media profiles. To match their vision, communication is essential; making my clients happy brings me happiness!
Working alongside clients to create rich and textured bespoke illustrations is one of her core joys. Projects such as editorial, publishing, web icons, album covers, murals, and custom portraits: she can do much more! Having experienced working remotely, she enjoys the challenge of each new project and communicating with clients and creatives.
