About me
Hey there!
My name is Windy. My artist name on Instagram is Moonaries illo. Instead of reading a boring "about me", let's have my black cat character Mocha interview me:)
🐈⬛Mocha: So, what got you into the purr-suit of cat illustrations?
I've been drawing my whole life (especially doodling on history textbooks 😛). Do you still remember the pandemic time when we were stuck at home and were bored? I bought an iPad in 2021 and learned digital illustration on YouTube and Skillshare. Didn’t know why I had the courage to start posting my art on Instagram, but it was the best decision I ever made! After a year of drawing various things, I created a black cat (you, Mocha) that went viral. People found my illustrations fun and relatable. Since then, my Instagram has grown significantly.
🐈⬛Mocha: Meow🥱enough about you, can we talk about me now? You say I am fun?
Mocha is a fun and lazy with a bit of a cat-titude! He is known for his relatable human-like life. Being an cat-trovert, he has a love-hate relationship with socializing. Every morning he needs to “insert coffee to begin”. Before coffee he is (extra) grumpy and says things he may or may not regret. He is not a big fan of work and lives for the weekends so that he can lie in bed and do nothing!
His life motto is: live in the meowment
🐈⬛Mocha: Well, I feel like you are describing yourself…
Haha, you reflect my playful side, which I find hard to hide, even as an adult.
🐈⬛Mocha: adulthood sounds tough… I see that you have an online shop selling products with my cute paw-traits on them. Care to explain?
My Instagram audience asked for products featuring you, so I started my shop in March 2022. I have been running my shop for two years now and my product lines are expanding. I even have wholesale clients and sell in a couple of physical retail shops in Oslo, Norway.
🐈⬛Mocha: People just can’t resist a cute cat, can they? So what’s the most popular products in your shop?
Cat stickers!! When I started my shop, I only had three designs, and now I have over 50, selling thousands to customers all over the world.
Did I mention I collaborate with a tech gear company called Casetify? My phone cases are also very popular.
🐈⬛Mocha: What else are you working on, apart from selling MY products?
I'm working on projects with companies, creating custom illustrations that incorporate their brand elements so that they can use these illustrations on their products. In addition, I have been doing custom drawings for my Instagram audience - drawing their cats in my style.
🐈⬛Mocha: What is your future plan going forward?
Expanding my business is my main focus going forward. I am looking for retailers (from all over the world) to sell my products and for manufacturers to license my art on their products.
In addition, I am working on my Youtube channel. Having grown my instagram from 0-160K followers and running my own online shop for two years now, I want to share my experiences and the mistakes I make to those who are also in this journey but two years behind me. I couldn’t have done all these without other artists sharing their experience on their YouTube. I want to help other artists accelerate their process.
That's my most frequently asked question! Sorry to disappoint but you are not my cat non are you a real cat. Mocha is my imaginary cat!
🐈⬛Mocha: Meow, I am falling asleep now. Last question, where can people find your products or contact you for projects?
Here are the links to my shops and Patreon:
Etsy: moonariesillo.etsy.com
Casetify: https://www.casetify.com/artist/moonariesillo
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/moonariesillo
Retailers in Oslo
Skapeverket
Markveien 60, 0550 Oslo
Sirkel Oslo
Schous Plass 1, 0552 Oslo
Work with me: Looking for an illustrator? Please contact me here:)