Wandering Minds

Wandering Wednesday

INTERVIEW WITH YUNIMOND 

Today, we would like to introduce a young illustrator from Germany to you: Julia-Mylinh Hoang, also known as Yunimond.
Her works differ a great deal from the majority of illustrations, because, despite her young age, she has her very own style. Julia’s drawings mostly show portraits of people with dream-like surroundings and patterns.

How did you get into illustration? Have there been certain events or circumstances?

“I would like to say that I was born with a pencil in my hands, but I wasn’t. The contrary is the case: At the age of ten I began to draw, very intensively. So much, that paper and pencils were taken away from me, my grades went down the tubes and I lost all my social contacts.
Then I quit drawing for quite a while and got pretty frustrated. Only after I changed schools (to a school with focus on design) and after getting so much support from others, I realised that illustration was my true passion and that I never want to do anything else.”


Why did you choose “yunimond” as your alias?

"Of course I could tell you a lengthy story about where the name originates from, but it is very simple. There was this song called “Junimond” (German for “June moon”) and I loved the sound of the word. However, I didn’t want to be sued from the music industry for using the name, so I changed the j to an y. Retrospectively, I somehow feel connected to the moon, even if this sounds really silly. Somehow that’s me, the moon in “Yune”. “


Who are your role models?

“To me, role models are those who pursue the things they do with passion. Those who don’t adorn themselves with borrowed plumes, but stand behind their product and rejoice over people liking what they do. Those who never cease to learn to become better, those who are able and confident enough to take criticism. This can be the illustrator Minja Lee, a stickler for details, or my father who falls asleep on the couch during meditation.”


Do you have an advice you can give on drawing?

“Well, I cannot and don’t want to give a real advice. I am yet too inexperienced for that. The only thing I can tell you is: Even if the first or second scratch doesn’t work out, the third, or better the fifth, surely will. Do not ever give up. It is not bad to pause for a while, to not get along or to tumble. But always stand up, go on and don’t give up.”

What are your wishes for the future? Where do you see yourself in a couple of years?

“I hope to be more grown-up in my decisions, be down to earth and to be more satisfied with my self. If I will ever have the opportunity to have a small atelier in a sunny place (preferably with ocean view) I would be very happy. An atelier full of different papers and colours and pencils and orchids…and a cat would be nice. Or two. For that I even would wait tables if I cannot only live on drawing.”

A conversation between Lisa-Marie and Julia.

You can see her wonderful work on FACEBOOK.