Analog Friends 04: Windry on Drawing, Journaling, and Enjoying the Process.

Hello, Analog Friends! This month, I talked to Windry R.—an Indonesian writer/artist, an old friend, and a stationery designer for the ever-popular girl stickers in our webshop.

In this series of Cafe Analog’s blog called ANALOG FRIENDS, I invite you to enjoy long-form reading at a slower pace (preferably with a cup of coffee, tea, or chocolate!)—while getting to know the people behind Cafe Analog’s products you love.

Enjoy!

Hanny (H): Windry! When we first met in our 20s, we were aspiring writers :)) And then we both got published (that was amazing, right?). What has happened since then? Do you still write?

Windry (W): Yes, that’s right! We first met through the writing site, Kemudian.com. I’ve been in the book industry for over ten years, publishing several novels, primarily general fiction, and romance.

Around 2017, I started to feel like I was running out of passion for writing stories. I took a break and tried other things—to rekindle that passion. However, it did not return. I realized I had arrived at the end of my journey as a novelist. After more than two years of taking a break and hoping to get back to writing stories, I decided to call it quits.

Actually, I was terrified to stop at the time. Being a quitter, losing the label as a novelist. But I’m still me even if I don’t write stories. And, I’m not just Windry, the writer. I have many sides. There are other ways of expression, of expressing myself.

Today, I still write. But no stories and not for others to read. I write only for myself now.

H: When did you start drawing? I remember you used to illustrate the characters of your novels in your blog. I also noticed that you draw a lot of characters/figures. Do you have formal training?

W: Since childhood, I have always loved to draw, especially drawing figures. I draw on paper, on desks, in school textbooks—in the blank spaces between texts. I’ve been expressing myself through drawing pictures long before I write. And what I expressed at the time was the same thing: stories.

In the past, there was little formal training in drawing, unlike now. I hang out with friends who both love art. It is in this group that we grow together. And in the past, drawing could only be limited to a hobby. There have been few opportunities for artists, especially if they live in Indonesia.

H: How did it become a business—from drawing as a hobby to creating your stationery lines and collaborating with various brands and stores worldwide?

W: During my writing break, I discovered a new world and community: journaling. As it turned out, I enjoyed keeping analog diaries and embellishing the pages of the journal. Girl stickers were pretty popular to decorate journal pages back then. I thought it would be fun to decorate my journal pages with girl stickers I made myself.

The first sticker set I made was called Love Story—because the girls were inspired by the characters of my romance novels. I did everything myself: drawing, preparing production materials, designing packaging, looking for suppliers, and scouting printing services. Lots of trial and error, but I learned a lot.

When Love Story finally finished, the first production was only 40 tin. The buyers are mostly my novel readers and new friends in the journaling world. I didn’t plan, let alone expect, that there would be a second, third, and so on production. Until now, Love Story is still being produced.

After my other collection, Dolls, was released, the next stickers were collaboration products. I felt lucky when I got the first invitation from Cafe Analog. I was worried about whether I could prepare the desired design in large quantities. But I was also excited that my stickers would reach a new and bigger community.

Every collaboration gives a new experience. Every time, I work with different stores/brands with their own ideals and expectations. The theme raised is also always different. Collaboration is always fun as well as challenging.

H: Do you think doing this (drawing, making stationery products) is your Ikigai? Are you happy with what you’re doing and how your career/business is growing?

W: Yes, I think so. I’m grateful to be able to express myself in a way I like and reach many people in many places. Every time I see a girl sticker that I made on the journal page of my friends in this community, I am touched. I feel welcome and valued.

I didn’t expect the girl sticker I made to be in great demand. Previously, I had never imagined that they would travel so far and become part of the memories, notes, and creativity of many others. I am very grateful.

At the same time, the business that I started without any ambition was able to grow, and I feel that my investment of time, thoughts, and effort paid off.

H: What is a creative day of Windry looks like? Do you have a creative routine? Do you still create for fun or mainly as part of your job/business?

W: My days are always a mix of homework and drawing. Homework has to be done first, then I can focus on designing.

I almost always draw in the living room. It’s the most comfortable place. Usually, I sit on the sofa by the small open window. I love to hear the chirping of the sparrows on the power lines, the conversation of the people walking by, or the wailing of the cats fighting in the street.

When I’m tired of drawing or want to rest, I watch television, or Youtube channels about the daily life of a housewife in Tokyo—or about watercolor swatches or about traveling by train, surprisingly, they can relieve tension and fatigue in my head.

Something new, themes I’ve never drawn, different concepts, and unique color schemes usually excite me to work on a design. I don’t like repeating ideas because I get bored easily.

What sometimes discouraged me were problems with the production process or procurement of goods. For example, getting an inaccurate sticker cut or receiving a package from a supplier containing hundreds of damaged tins. But because it’s all a part of work, I’m learning to deal with it.

I consider what I’m doing now mostly as work. It’s essential to think that way because my projects are mostly collaborations with certain stores/brands. Of course, there is a passion that needs to be nourished so that this remains an enjoyable job.

H: What does Windry like to do in her analog time apart from drawing? What feeds your soul?

W: I love reading. In the past, I mostly read novels. Now, I read more books related to art and creation, books that are pleasing to the eye. Books on hand lettering, watercolor, dried flower art, vintage tea parties…

Sometimes, I buy a book simply because the pages are beautiful. I enjoy leafing through them at leisure, checking out the details of the author’s creations. Not to learn his technique or style; I just want to enjoy it.

I also like to make color swatches from my watercolor collection. I’m a color lover. Looking at Potter’s Pink, Sleeping Beauty Turquoise from Daniel Smith, ultramarine blue mixed with quinacridone red can make me happy. When I have a lot of free time, I paint with watercolors. Flowers, often. Roses, peonies, hydrangeas.

Another thing I like—especially since my health is failing, is walking in the evening. Not far, only a few kilometers. I would try different routes, go through unfamiliar streets, go into alleys, and see other lives. Somehow, afterward, I will feel very satisfied.

H: Do you journal/keep a journal? Why do you think you keep (or do not keep) a journal?

W: I bought my first TN (Traveler’s Notebook) in Nakameguro. The first journal contains notes on my trip to Tokyo in 2019. Schedules, listings, photos, tickets, catalog scraps, notes. The journal is a repository of memories. After that, I recorded my daily life in a weekly journal and daily journal.

This year, I’m using two Hobonichi Weeks and a Midori 1D1P.

Those two Hobonichi keep me in order. The first is for personal life. My health tracker, family event schedule, doctor appointments, reminders, to-do lists, that sort of thing. Second, for work purposes. Schedule for production and delivery of stickers, allotment of time for drawing, records of expenses for production, invoice lists, order lists, ideas, and so on.

I use Midori to write down a number of things that happened one day, and I want to remember. This journal is a diary, keeping memories, hopes, prayers, things I learned about life, and promises to myself. I decorated this journal a little, and it’s simple—that’s how I like it.

H: Tell us three random things we might not know about you 😀

W: I like tea more than coffee. In fact, actually, I can’t drink coffee because I have stomach problems. My favorite tea is from Malang, East Java. It’s called Dragon Tea. Every time some guests visit the house, I will serve the tea.

I always miss visiting Japan again, even though I have been there many times. I really liked the cities, the silence in parts, the life, and even the crows in the parks. Maybe it’s because I’ve been very familiar with Japanese popular culture since childhood.

I have two cats that I named Pie and Pumpkin. Most of the time, I’m alone at home; they are my everyday friends. Sometimes they sleep beside me while I’m drawing—sometimes they pester, too 😛

H: What was the ultimate life lesson you’ve learned throughout your life/career that strongly shaped you into the Windry we know today?

W: Enjoy the process. I consider process important—not just in terms of work and the creative world. For me, the process not only gives the final result but also provides an opportunity to learn, encounter new things, and make us closer to everything and everyone involved in each step of the process.***