WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS
Cleonique Hilsaca is an illustrator from Honduras based in St. Louis, Missouri. Her professional work can be found in picture books, newspapers, magazines, board games, and galleries. She has worked with clients such as Penguin Random House, MTA Arts & Design, Sesame Workshop, Renegade Game Studios, and Il Corriere della Sera. Cleonique’s work has been featured in Spectrum: Fantastic Art, The Society of Illustrators, 3X3, and La Bienal de Ilustración de México. Hilsaca is currently studying in the MFA in Illustration & Visual Culture program at Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis. She illustrated for the board game Artisans of Splendent Vale, and the picture books Rat Fair (2021), Dream Submarine (2024), and Sleep, Little Dozer (2024).
WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?
I feel inspired by the creative community of the places where I’ve lived and traveled, as well as by my cohort, mentors, and peers at WashU.
WHAT AREA OR AREAS OF DESIGN ARE YOU HOPING TO WORK IN OR SPECIALIZE IN?
I love working in publishing, with a focus in children’s picture books, and hope to one day publish books I’ve written and illustrated myself.
WHAT IS ONE THING THAT DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU DID NOT EXPECT?
The importance of visual culture study and research as part of my creative practice and personal growth as an artist.
WHAT ARE YOU READING, LISTENING TO, WATCHING?
I’m reading “Writing Picture Books” by Ann Whitford Paul, listening to the podcast “Grupo de Autoayuda de Dibujo,” and recently watched the amazing film “The Boy and the Heron.”
