It wasn’t until she became a mother that the Pahang-born artist found herself searching for local nursery rhymes and stories to share with her son. When she couldn’t find any, she did the next best thing: she created her own.
“I started illustrating my own nursery rhymes, printed them out, and read them to my son. He loved it,” Emila shared with FMT Lifestyle.
This marked the beginning of her career as one of Malaysia’s most beloved children’s book illustrators. With over 50 titles to her name and a career spanning 14 years, it’s easy to see why.
Believe it or not, Emila has no formal education in illustration. A self-taught artist, she devoured picture books by illustrators like Beatrix Potter, Maurice Sendak, Edward Gorey, and Isabelle Arsenault. All of them helped her shape her own style.
The result? A rich tapestry of Malaysian culture, woven with the colours and stories that define the nation. Emila’s illustrations are not just beautiful to look at – they capture the essence of the world she grew up in.
“If I do mat salleh stories and drawings, people can’t relate,” the 55-year-old said, stressing the importance of local content in her books.
From character attire to the plants in her illustrations, every detail is meticulously chosen to reflect the Malaysia she knows and loves. “The content must be local. Only then, I believe, our children can relate.”
This deep connection to her heritage is what led her to join the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre’s Merdeka/Malaysia Day Heritage Campaign, which runs until Sept 16.
Emila will bring her unique touch to the Kids’ Colouring Corner, where children can add their colours to her vivid illustrations of three folk heroes – Sang Kancil, Mat Kilau, and Cik Siti Wan Kembang.
This passion for storytelling through art has deep roots, long before she even realised it.
Growing up in Raub, Pahang, and later across Malaysia before settling in KL, she was always drawn to art. One of her earliest memories is enhancing the illustrations in her encyclopaedia with her own lines and colours.
This playful experimentation was encouraged by her mother, who bought her a drawing pad and a set of colouring tools – a simple act that set her on the path to becoming the artist she is today.
“I never stopped,” she said. “I think young Emila knew she would become an artist. I remember listing fashion designer, teacher, and artist as my dream jobs. I made one of them a reality!”
That childhood determination translated into a creative process that is as meticulous as it is inspired. “I have to write the story first,” she said, explaining how she divides the narrative into pages before creating a storyboard.
Once satisfied with the flow, she brings the illustrations to life using colour pencils, watercolours, and acrylic paints – a process that she said can take up to three months.
A significant aspect of Emila’s work is its educational value. Her books aren’t just stories; they’re tools parents use to teach their children about the world. “Parents bring my books like ‘My Mother’s Garden’ or ‘My Father’s Farm’ to the garden or farm to teach their kids,” Emila shared.
This is what keeps Emila going. “It’s rewarding when people say my books are informative, that their children love them,” she reflected.
For aspiring illustrators, Emila’s advice is simple: “Don’t stop making art – practise daily. You also need to read a lot of picture books and learn how to read the pictures as well. And always look around you. The stories are sitting quietly in every corner,” she added.
As she continues to observe the world around her, Emila is also looking ahead, eager to explore new themes in her work. “I want to explore more global issues,” she revealed, hinting at future projects that will tackle broader themes while staying true to her roots.
No matter where her journey takes her next, Emila’s art will remain a celebration of the nation’s rich heritage, inspiring readers of all ages.
Follow Emila Yusof on Instagram.