Creative of the Month: Esther Baseme

Creative of the Month

Esther Baseme

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself and why you consider yourself a Creative.

Hi! My name is Esther Baseme. I am a 22 year old freelance graphic designer and illustrator. I am a Christ follower, a wandering dreamer and a plants and flowers lover! I was born in Africa and I lived in four countries there, moved to Europe for about 10 years and then came to the US to go to college in Virginia.
Right now, I am living in Charlotte, North Carolina for a few months before moving again…who knows where?! I love traveling and new experiences!

To be honest, it took me a long time to call and consider myself a creative person. Most of the time it is the people around me who have always told me I was creative through the things I make and create, the way I see things or even the way I dress. At a very young age I felt in love with collage, drawing, painting, photography, magazines, ect. Today, I do not see my life without creating things. It is part of me, it is who I am. I believe I was created to create and my goal is to inspire others to do the same.

2) Who inspires you the most?

I draw my inspiration from so many things! Movies, music, being outside, poems, new places… People inspire me the most through their own stories and by the way they live their life. Brave people inspire me — those who get things done and chase their dreams despite fear, those who love themselves and others well.
Traveling inspire me as well. I have been lucky to live in 6 countries and 3 continents so far. I have visited about 10 other beautiful countries. Those places have inspired me creatively but have also shaped me into who I am today.

3) What is the last book you read and what is your all time favorite read?

There are two books that never leave my bedside table and that I love to read over and over again. The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown and The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson are my favorite books. I read these two books in a season when I needed it the most. It was a hard and scary season with a lot of pain. The Circle Maker changed my spiritual life and taught me the importance of being persistent in my prayer life and drew me to my knees each day. Brene Brown’s words in The Gifts of Imperfection taught me the power of vulnerability and living a wholehearted life. I read these books about two years ago, but I always keep them close to me. They are challenging and a good reminder to me. Right now, I am re-reading The Circle Maker. (Also everyone should read Brene Brown’s books. She is my favorite speaker and writer and I need to get coffee with her!)

4) How do you express yourself?

I express myself with my art, and that can be through design, illustration, photography or painting. There is always a part of me in each piece I make and create. Although, I am far from being a writer, words are really important to me as well. Writing has helped me a lot to express myself and make sense of things.

5) What is your most favorite project that you’ve ever worked on?

It was probably one of my last school projects this past spring semester. It was a design packaging project. I got a very good grade for that project but it was my favorite because of the work I put into designing it. The same week my project was due, I was also very sick and exhausted. I went to bed around 3am for 6 days straight and worked really hard to make this project come to life. In the end, I was proud of it because of my efforts. It was really cool to see my hard work paid off!

6) What would be your biggest and wildest dream concerning your creative talent?

My biggest dream would be to continue to do freelance design full-time while traveling the world. Because I have lived in many places when I was young, it is so hard right now to see myself live in only one place for the rest of my life. I want to discover the world, meet people along the way and continue to inspire people through my designs.

7) Describe your perfect day.

I would wake up early in the morning and have my quiet time. I’d go for a run in my neighborhood, get ready (while listening and dancing to music! Always!) I would make a delicious breakfast or brunch! Then I would work on few design projects. Then, I’d go in a coffee shop to read or go see an art exhibition. To finish my day, I’d meet with my sweet friends to get food and drinks!

8) If you had one tool for the rest of your life to express your creativity with, what would it be?

Wow that’s hard! I’d say a pen! I think a lot and there are always so many ideas in my head so I need to write them down. I can still sketch and draw with a pen right?! 😉