Issue 20: All-Around Artist, Isabel Roxas

An artist who never stops creating, inspiring, and being inspired

Hi KP,

I can’t wait for you to meet Isabel Roxas, an artist friend I truly admire. She is a diligent artist who is always creating, learning, trying, and using many different media - paper cut, printmaking, sewing, molding and building, graphic design, and of course lots and lots of painting and drawing! Isabel is also diligent in being inspired - she’s a voracious reader, museum-goer, recipe trier, and art consumer. Not only that, Isabel has a genuine curiosity and warmth toward others, and you can feel it when you sit down with her. I had been a big fan of her art before I became friends with Isabel. I am an even bigger fan of hers now that I know her better. Come, listen to Isabel’s story, pick up her books, check out her exhibition, and maybe ask if she wants to join for dim sum next time (like I did).

Flavor of the Week: KP Q&A with Isabel Roxas

Isabel Roxas is an author and illustrator. She loves to draw and write stories about rambunctious little girls, curious misfits and funny animals. Isabel was born in Manila, Philippines, was raised on luscious mangoes, old wives’ tales and monsoon moons. She now resides in Queens, New York completing the third installment of her award-winning graphic novel series The Adventures of Team Pom, which is set in a fictional Queens neighborhood called Shadyside (but is actually Astoria). Find out more about Isabels works at studioroxas.com, connect with her on social media @studioroxas.

Introduce yourself more personally in 2-3 sentences.

In the Philippines, most people have a nickname, and you use it even as an adult. Mine is Pepper. When I came to NY for grad school I started using my real name, Isabel, instead. I found that people are curious why I had such an unusual name which inevitably leads to revealing that I am from the Philippines. The whole conversation then becomes all about that and the Filipino food they’ve eaten, Imelda Marcos, or the Filipino friend they have etc…

I came to NY as an artist and I want to talk about art, children’s books, baking and all my other interests in addition to the Philippines, and not just about the Philippines. As Walt Whitman wrote, “I am large, I contain multitudes.”

 Where are you from?

In Queens, the borough of dreams! 🙂

No, where are you REALLY from? (Haha!)

I grew up in Manila as the youngest of four, and with many, many cousins. I was the runt of the litter among the older cousins so was bossed around a lot or ignored. At the same time, I was the eldest of the younger cousins, so I was the boss of that gaggle of kids. I like having little gangs of friends. The cast may change,  but I’ve  always had a small circle of friends from grade school through grad school. Even now, I have a couple of friends whom I jokingly call my picture book mafia.

What’s your sign?

—

How would you describe yourself in five words?

Hard-working, bold, imaginative, opinionated, curious

What’s your connection to Komerican culture?

I have a lot of Korean friends and people in my life. I also read and watch loads of Korean books and films. The latest one I enjoyed is called If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha. I saw a lot of expectations and challenges in that book that were reflected in my own culture, but also a lot of differences. 

And of course, what are your favorite Korean foods?

Soondooboo jjigae, galbijjim (which is the main dish I have made for Thanksgiving for ten years now) 

What was your childhood like and what has it taught you?

My early years were pretty idyllic—lots of reading, a myriad of creative activities and many trips to the beach. But later, my older brother was drug addicted for about a decade, then my dad died young, and my mother raised us all on her own. That was difficult and I suspect all my siblings and I are still sorting that out. It taught me to live very mindfully.

Can you share something exciting that you’re working on now?

I am working on a behind-the-scenes exhibition of my graphic novel Team Pom at the Central Brooklyn Library. I am a creature of the library. I think they are the world’s best invention other than the book, the post office, freshly cooked rice and ice cream.

What do people underestimate about you? 

I don’t think people expect me to give more than they ask. 

Share your proudest moment in the past year.

A young reader who was abandoned by her friends told her teacher that she will just have to find her own “Team Pom”.  

What was your hardest moment in the past year?

A friend of mine died recently. I’m still rattled by it. It feels like a reminder to make each day count, however you define that.

We’ve all been hurt in some form or fashion. What are you healing from?

Losing my dad too early.

How do you love yourself?

Doing something creative everyday, baking, laughing and spending time with my favorite people.

How do you love others?

By baking, cooking, and eating.

What five things can you not live without?

Soy sauce. Rice. Books. Trees. Friends.

What’s your favorite dance song?

Groove is in Heart by Deee-lite

What’s your favorite kind of pie?

Concord Grape Pie which I learned to make here in the states. My favorite dessert growing up is called sapin-sapin…which is technically not a pie, but a glutinous rice dessert flavored with ube, coconut and jackfruit sprinkled with toasted coconut curd.

H Mart Happiness: What’s your favorite product and why?

“Hmart is the only place where I can buy plum extract syrup I need for making galbijjim” - Isabel R.

What’s your favorite H Mart product? Message us with your favorite in 1-2 sentences and we’ll feature it with a photo right here on the webzine!

Crispy Crust: A Touch of Jeong - Uplifting illustrations that delight

It’s an absolute blessing to have friends who inspire you to try something new - whether it’s new food, new book, new music, or a new art medium to create with!

Love, Aram

Korean School:  덕후 Duk-hoo, a mania / an expert

Fun facts, idioms, translations and history

덕후 Duk-hoo is a Korean slang derived from the Japanese word Otaku, a person who is obsessed with certain cultures such as anime, manga, or video games. In Korea, 덕후 is used much more widely to describe someone who is deeply into any kind of area ranging from celebrities (eg. BTS 덕후) to sports (eg. 야구 덕후 baseball mania), to products (eg. 카메라 덕후 camera expert), and so on. While the slang was used somewhat negatively in the past when it was first used more closely to its original Japanese word, now it’s widely used without negative connotation. It is often rather positive in the sense that the person is deeply into one area and made oneself almost an expert. 

Sweet & Salty: A list of the tastiest treats satisfying all the senses

• The central branch of Brooklyn Public Library exhibits HOW SQUID HAPPENED, The Making of the Graphic Novel series The Adventures of Team Pom by Isabel Roxas for all of the summer through the early fall. The exhibition will showcase clay models of the main characters, sketches, dummy books, final art and more - everything you want to know about the making of the beloved, award-winning graphic novel series. Be sure to check out the show, and if you are inspired, also check out the famous DJ pigeon tote from the shop, designed by Isabel.

• Are you a chili oil fan like we are? I was sad when the makers of Hot Crunch, my favorite chili oil, discontinued, but I am thrilled to learn that they are back with a new line of products of Hot Crunch. Their next drop is May 21st Tuesday, and I can’t wait. It’s labeled as Pizza Love, but seriously, it goes with anything. Dip your pizza in it, pour some on your breakfast eggs, and use on pork belly with lettuce - it will add a flavorful punch to anything!

• 49 Days is a graphic novel by Agnes Lee whose illustrations are familiar to many who read the New York Times Metropolitan Diary. 49 days in the Buddhist tradition is a period a person travels to another world after passing. It is a familiar concept in Korean culture where Buddhist tradition is deeply rooted regardless of one’s religion. It’s so simply, yet so beautifully and profoundly written and drawn about a person who left this world and people who are left in this world. It is a comforting story for anyone who experienced losing a loved one.