Meet Arty Guava, an illustrator whose work is shaped by movement, emotion, and lived experience. What began as quiet, instinctive drawings during the pandemic grew into a full-time art practice rooted in freedom, memory, and joy. Her illustrations celebrate womanhood and everyday moments, brought to life through warm color palettes and expressive forms that feel playful, open, and deeply human.
This feature explores her transition from branding to art, the role of instinct and movement in her work, and how color becomes a language for emotion. At Drawdeck, we’re proud to spotlight artists like Arty Guava—independent creators who lead with feeling and create work meant to be lived with.
Explore Arty Guava’s work and bring her world into your space.
1. How did you come up with the name “Arty Guava”?
I came up with the name when I was just starting my illustration career. At the time, many illustrators I admired used monikers, and I loved the idea of creating a gentle separation between the artist and the person. Coming up with one for myself, however, was surprisingly difficult! So I asked my then boyfriend—now husband—for help. Without overthinking it, he said, “Arty Guava,” because I loved art and I loved guava. It was simple, playful, and it just felt right. The name stuck, and it has become a part of my creative identity ever since.
2. You’ve described your journey as one shaped by both art and design. What inspired you to leave the world of branding and step fully into art?
It happened almost by accident. During the pandemic, I started drawing on my iPad as a way to calm my mind. I shared those doodles on Instagram with no expectations, and people began responding to them. Commissions followed, and slowly I realized that art was giving me something branding never did—a sense of alignment, freedom, and joy. After two years of balancing both worlds, I took the leap. Leaving branding wasn’t a rejection of design; it was an expansion of myself into something more honest and fulfilling.
3. Your work often celebrates movement, emotion, and womanhood. What draws you to these themes?
Movement and emotion feel like the purest expressions of being alive. As a woman, so much of my experience is intertwined with connection—sisterhood, nature, and the rhythms of everyday life. These themes naturally find their way into my art. I’m always trying to capture those fleeting, joyful moments where we feel free, supported, or deeply in tune with ourselves and the world around us.
4. Has your view of womanhood evolved since becoming a mother, and does that show up in your work?
Most definitely. Becoming a mother taught me what true selflessness feels like—the ability to put another person first without expecting anything in return. It also lightened my heart in unexpected ways. My son reminds me not to take myself too seriously, to be silly, and to find play in everyday moments. You can see this spirit in the women I paint. They laugh, dance, move freely, and sometimes look a little whimsical. That sense of playfulness is a kind of freedom, and motherhood opened that door for me.
5. How do you approach color in your work, is it guided by instinct, mood, or a deeper symbolism?
It’s a blend of instinct and memory. I grew up in Malaysia surrounded by vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and tropical landscapes. Those influences live in my palette. Often, I choose colors based on how I want the piece to feel—warm, joyful, grounded, or expansive. There’s also a sense of harmony that guides me. Color becomes a way to express emotion without words and to bring the viewer into the world I’m trying to create.
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Artist Spotlight Arty Guava
Meet Arty Guava, an illustrator whose work is shaped by movement, emotion, and lived experience. What began as quiet, instinctive drawings during the pandemic grew into a full-time art practice rooted in freedom, memory, and joy. Her illustrations celebrate womanhood and everyday moments, brought to life through warm color palettes and expressive forms that feel playful, open, and deeply human.
This feature explores her transition from branding to art, the role of instinct and movement in her work, and how color becomes a language for emotion. At Drawdeck, we’re proud to spotlight artists like Arty Guava—independent creators who lead with feeling and create work meant to be lived with.
Explore Arty Guava’s work and bring her world into your space.
1. How did you come up with the name “Arty Guava”?
I came up with the name when I was just starting my illustration career. At the time, many illustrators I admired used monikers, and I loved the idea of creating a gentle separation between the artist and the person. Coming up with one for myself, however, was surprisingly difficult! So I asked my then boyfriend—now husband—for help. Without overthinking it, he said, “Arty Guava,” because I loved art and I loved guava. It was simple, playful, and it just felt right. The name stuck, and it has become a part of my creative identity ever since.
2. You’ve described your journey as one shaped by both art and design. What inspired you to leave the world of branding and step fully into art?
It happened almost by accident. During the pandemic, I started drawing on my iPad as a way to calm my mind. I shared those doodles on Instagram with no expectations, and people began responding to them. Commissions followed, and slowly I realized that art was giving me something branding never did—a sense of alignment, freedom, and joy. After two years of balancing both worlds, I took the leap. Leaving branding wasn’t a rejection of design; it was an expansion of myself into something more honest and fulfilling.
3. Your work often celebrates movement, emotion, and womanhood. What draws you to these themes?
Movement and emotion feel like the purest expressions of being alive. As a woman, so much of my experience is intertwined with connection—sisterhood, nature, and the rhythms of everyday life. These themes naturally find their way into my art. I’m always trying to capture those fleeting, joyful moments where we feel free, supported, or deeply in tune with ourselves and the world around us.
4. Has your view of womanhood evolved since becoming a mother, and does that show up in your work?
Most definitely. Becoming a mother taught me what true selflessness feels like—the ability to put another person first without expecting anything in return. It also lightened my heart in unexpected ways. My son reminds me not to take myself too seriously, to be silly, and to find play in everyday moments. You can see this spirit in the women I paint. They laugh, dance, move freely, and sometimes look a little whimsical. That sense of playfulness is a kind of freedom, and motherhood opened that door for me.
5. How do you approach color in your work, is it guided by instinct, mood, or a deeper symbolism?
It’s a blend of instinct and memory. I grew up in Malaysia surrounded by vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and tropical landscapes. Those influences live in my palette. Often, I choose colors based on how I want the piece to feel—warm, joyful, grounded, or expansive. There’s also a sense of harmony that guides me. Color becomes a way to express emotion without words and to bring the viewer into the world I’m trying to create.