Discover
Inspiration
Learn
Not All Who Wander are Lost
Meet Jeanifer Youngky, an illustrator from Indonesia known as Samajeyan. She who silly drawings for complicated feelings, a walking contradiction expressing feelings and memories through her playful characters.
We were excited to be taken through the process and meaning behind @samajeyan's artistry and works, having a playful take on freedom, childhood memories and uncertainty through her goofy characters.
Hi Jeanifer, nice to meet you :) Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Hi Mossery, nice to meet you! I’m now a full-time illustrator based in Jakarta after leaving my non-creative corporate job in KL in 2024. I love creating goofy things but sometimes with a hint of big emotion and simple yet complicated artwork. It’s like a walking contradiction.
What is your background as an artist/creator? How did you first get into drawing and painting?
I was actually a concept art graduate. I don’t remember when I first got into drawing and painting, but I do remember all those scribbles on the walls, the math book filled with doodles and a stack of cheap drawing books filled with so many doodles and stories by my younger self.
How would you describe your artistic style and influences?
They’re silly and goofy at times, cute maybe, but also carrying some emotional weight if anyone realizes. But most of them feel like an awkward laughter in a dream you almost remember or just some silly drawings for complicated feelings.
Look to the left, 2026
Just Poot, 2025
Kabar di Atas Bukit, 2026
Batik painting; Midnight Summer Party, 2024
You have developed two designs for this collaboration, could you share the themes or messages you aimed to convey through each cover? We would like to understand your creative vision behind them.
The initial concept/behind story for “Far From Above” cover is all the soft whispers of “What Ifs” about being free in the wilderness. I remember looking at the scenery from the plane window that just took off from the earth to the sky. I saw lots of goodness from above and a little scary too but they look just as amazing as they are when I see them in front of me. But somehow the word “free” came to my mind and reminded me of things that happen in our lives that could feel different from different perspectives. What appears bad right in front of us isn't necessarily as bad as it seems when viewed from a different angle or vice versa.
For the “Hide and Seek” cover, it’s just me digging my childhood memory, playing the hide and seek game and getting traumatized by it. I just feel like bringing this up as an artwork since I can’t even erase this horror-comedy event from my mind.
Left: Far From Above, Right: Hide and Seek
Are there any hidden details or symbolism in your design that you'd like to share with us?
Beebop, one of my duck characters appears on the “Far From Above” cover, please give him much love. And the kite symbolises even in freedom, uncertainty may always come and things might get shaky, but fly anyway.
And the silly animal looking creatures you see on the “Hide and Seek” cover, they weren’t actually that cutesy looking. I just realised they were more distorted and unclear, I think it has something to do with my subconscious remembering an incident that happened years ago. The inspiration behind this cover was the hide and seek game I played and getting traumatized at, after seeing a furry dark thing popped out behind my aunt’s stove. Until now, nobody knows what it was.
What's the process like when you develop this design? Do you face any challenges or obstacles while creating the design? If so, how did you overcome them?
Creating the concept wasn’t that hard, I relied on my memory the most even though they are pretty blurry at times. But it adds the charm to it and the overall process to create the artwork was fun too. But how to make the artwork look good on the product itself is pretty challenging for me. Thankfully, I got help from others to get their POV.
What materials or techniques did you use to bring your design to life?
For the two covers, I only use the drawing app on my tablet. I’ve been wanting to make an artwork using oil paints but haven’t got to do it. I’m so grateful for this collaboration because I got to use my digital oil paint brushes at least hahaha.
What advice do you have for aspiring artists or creators who want to make their mark in the industry?
Just do it anyway. I guess taking the first step or even a step forward is always hard, even for me, but you gotta do it anyway if you wanna know what works and what doesn't. And for the result, be it a success or a failure, at least you get to experience it and always try to be present during the process. Sometimes doing the same thing at different times can also result differently.
Are there any other artists or creators who inspire you in your work?
My work is inspired by a lot of things, randomly, at random times. But these days I find myself being completely immersed seeing how potters and zine/book makers do their work.
Do you have any favourite Mossery products or designs from other artists that have caught your attention?
The undated planner is my all time favorite. It really does a great job on helping my scattered minds to do each task better. And as for the designs, I’m a fan of Yoriyuki. One of their works is literally the cover for my first Mossery undated planner hahaha. And another one is the whole collection from Nadhir!
Is there anything else you'd like to share with the Mossery community and those who appreciate your work?
I’d like to say that, I’m so thankful for the support you guys had given to me and my ‘Not All Who Wander Are Lost’ cover that was released back in 2024. So shoutout to everyone who bought them and the Mossery team for choosing that artwork back then. Now I’m back with new covers and hope that at least they would give you the same warmth. Lastly, I have a mini story to tell, I found out about Mossery back then in 2015. My first big purchase as a college student was their watercolor sketchbook. I remember being in awe while unboxing the packaging, it was totally an experience that I would like to redo over and over again. I hope everyone gets to do that too.
A big thank you to Jeanifer for sharing her artistic journey and insights. If you found her work inspiring, we encourage you to discover more of her creations with us here!
