The 2022 AOI Mentorship scheme is now fully underway! First introduced in 2020 and expanded in 2021, this free program is designed by the AOI to further support and guide under-represented illustrators in an intimate and supporting setting.
Valencia-based illustrator Eryka Ilarreta is one of 17 new mentees selected for this year’s edition, paired with mentor and illustrator Laurindo Feliciano. We learn how her mentorship is going so far and what she’s hoping to achieve in the months ahead.
What does being part of the AOI Mentorship mean to you?
I am so glad to be a part of the AOI Mentorship programme. I think it is an opportunity to boost my career as an illustrator and improve my skills with someone who can guide me, learn more about my strengths and focus me better on the workflow.
What has the mentorship been like so far?
The mentoring is going great. Laurindo, my mentor, is a fantastic person and he is very focused on helping me achieve my set goals. For this we are working on the illustrations for my portfolio, on improving my website and other social platforms. In addition to this, we are measuring my working time, and I am learning more about how the editorial world functions.
I am currently developing a series of illustrations and advancing on the content that I want to show when promoting myself to potential clients. It is very useful to be able to improve my workflow, and thinking about what an art director can expect to see in my work and thus knowing what I can do.
What do you hope to accomplish by the end of the mentorship?
At the end of this mentorship I hope to be ready to promote my content in the publishing world, know how to respond to the needs for a commission as well as promote myself, and possibly to find an agency to work with.
We’d like to thank Eryka for her time in giving this interview. See more of her work on her website and Instagram.
Keep checking our Mentorship section to meet more 2022 mentees!
Learn more about the AOI Mentorship and our 2022 Mentors.
The AOI Mentorship scheme is one of many benefits offered by us. Find out more about membership today.