Metamorphosis as Muse: Artist Aisha Villabona on Growth and Tiny Inspirations

Art, in many ways, reminds us that sometimes the smallest things can lead to the biggest changes. For artist Aisha Villabona, this is especially true in the way she found her artistic muse and style. Her works, often signed with objects synonymous with her artist name ‘Ladybugs,’ depict peculiar, ever-evolving characters that reflect both human emotion and the changing stages of life.

I first encountered her work at the 2024 Manila Illustration Fair, when some of her pieces were consigned with Manila Middle Ground. Fast-forward to a year later, we found ourselves in a full-circle moment at MIF 2025! She was among the featured artists, and we caught up on how much her work has grown over the past year. Below, we discuss how her art invites audiences to slow down, look closer, and find the extraordinary in the smallest of things.

Hello Ayi! How have you been since the 2025 Manila Illustration Fair? Any events or objects that recently inspired your creativity?

Hi Kanto! Thank you for having me! I’ve been doing really well since then, and I’m honestly just resting for now. There’s not really much going on, but I’ve recently started junk journaling, and it’s been keeping me creative even if I’m technically on a break.

I’d like to start with your artist name, Ladybugs. What’s its origin story? Was there a particular person, place, or event that sparked your curiosity or perhaps fascination with small fauna and flora?

I honestly played with bugs as a kid, and treating nature as my little playground is one of the fondest memories of my childhood. Almost all types of bugs were a much more common sight then, and I saw them as my little playmates. (Although looking back, they probably weren’t happy about that. I kept them alive, don’t worry!)

When I was crafting my artist name, I really wanted something simple yet visual. I wanted something with recall, something that instantly evokes an image when you hear it. And then I had this eureka moment: I’m a lady who loves bugs, so why not call myself Ladybugs? I know it’s pretty silly and probably not as poetic or intellectual as other creatives’ names out there, but I think it encapsulates me as a person and an artist perfectly.

Thank you for sharing! I don’t think artist names need to be bright ideas; I think they just have to be true to whoever owns them. And that’s how you chose yours!

So, was your first artwork related to your current subjects as well, or was it completely different? How would you describe your evolution as an artist since? 

I appreciate the affirmation! And no, not at all! My art back then was completely different. I used to have a more simplified art style, leaning towards pastel colors and cute little round characters. I absolutely loved it at the time and still do. That was only 2023! I recall going through a very difficult stretch in my life then, and I realized that I couldn’t relate to the art I was making anymore.

Later that year, I looked back at my younger self and got immersed in the concept of metamorphosis, specifically for insects and flowers. I then realized that, as human beings, we are also in a constant stage of metamorphosis. Our lives are always changing, and we can see the changes happen in years, months, weeks, or sometimes even just a day. This became my new art anchor.

If you look at the characters I draw, most of them have established visual features, yet they don’t have a permanent form. There are always minute changes to them because they represent that I, too, as a person and artist, am constantly changing. I find that this gives me freedom in a way, because I want the world that I create in my art to embrace what I believe in life.

Your artworks are intricate, maximalist depictions of human emotion told through imaginary characters. How do you balance creating your own world while ensuring that your messages reach the right audience?

I used to be incredibly insecure about my style. Knowing my art is extremely feminine drove me to a crossroads: I know it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but I had this desire to want everyone to like my work, no matter what.

And then I met someone, and she said this, “Embrace your femininity, we are in an era where art made by women thrives and is ahead in the game as we speak.” I feel like she was speaking to my core! From then on, I started to change how I view my work.

On your question about balance, I honestly don’t really think I am balancing anything. I just create what is true to me and trust that someone out there will resonate with it.

Beautiful! Let’s get into your process as an artist. What can you share about your approach from concept to execution?

It always starts with a random idea that I usually can’t shake. I go online and find inspiration from anywhere! Sometimes it also just happens by accident.

Quick story, one of my most popular sets of illustrations this year, The Girlies and Their Tiger, came to life because of my love of drawing clothes and a random rewatch of an anime called “Paradise Kiss.” The anime revolves around a high-school girl who gets drawn into a quirky fashion group, discovering love, identity, and her passion for design. While rewatching, I started imagining how my characters would fit into the anime’s world. What would they be wearing? What would their life look like?

I then proceeded to dress them up with clothes that correspond to the characteristics of the flowers they are inspired by. I also decided to give them a pet tiger, inspired by a tiger lily flower. Just because! I’m very proud they were well-received by many, and I feel like this is one of the many moments that could best describe my process.

I can tell by your story that you had so much fun in that moment! Allow me to take a detour into the technical aspects. What kind of printing and logistics challenges do you often meet, and how do you navigate through them?

I’m used to printing my work myself! The most recent challenge I encountered was months before the 2025 Manila Illustration Fair, when my printer decided to malfunction. I couldn’t afford to get a new one or have it repaired at the time, so I had to look for a new print shop to work with last minute.

Fortunately, I was able to find one near me! The overall cost was pretty pricey, but at the same time, really worth it. The quality was great, even better than what I could have produced if I had printed them myself. Printing your works is kind of a slippery slope, whether you decide to do it yourself or outsource. It’s costly, quality control isn’t easy, and it’s going to take many trials and errors. But it really is part of the process! Eventually, you establish a system of your own and work through it when something unexpected happens.

In the context of preparing your art, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) remains a heated discussion, given the left and right receptions by people in the industry. What is your take on this, and how does your stand reflect in your personal practice?

I do not support making art with AI in any way. It’s honestly incredibly scary as an artist. I’ve seen what AI can do, and how people use it to copy and reproduce someone’s art is deplorable. Let’s keep it human.

I stand with you on keeping it human! Now, you’ve been invited as an artist to various events—from art markets to indie music gigs. What are some of the most pressing issues you’ve observed when selling your work, particularly in relation to Filipinos’ view of local artists? How do you hope to address these issues through your work? 

The most pressing issue for me is how disrespectful some people can be. I’ve experienced lots of people making snide comments on my work in front of me at events. I think, as in any industry, there will always be blatantly rude people who can’t keep their mouths shut.

Let’s face it, overall, our government is not as supportive of local and independent artists as compared to others. If anything, it’s individuals, groups, or private entities that are making changes or offering their support. It’s frustrating, and I admit that seeing how other countries’ programs drive people’s reception towards art makes me jealous. But I also think that this is why we Filipinos just have to keep sharing our work with our country and even the world. I really hope that one day things will change, and that art gets more ingrained in our culture over time. Until then, we must keep creating.

Time for manifestations! Can you share a few artists or collectives that you admire or dream of collaborating with? What about them appeals to you? What characteristics do they possess do you wish to emulate? 

I have four! One is an artist named Tina Yu, who is one of my biggest inspirations. It would be an absolute dream to be able to collaborate with her. She is a Chinese-raised New York sculptor. She creates dreamlike creatures that stem from her culture, and her level of detail is something I’ve always admired and aim to achieve in my work. I’ve been following her work since I was in college, and I can’t stress enough how amazing she is. Please check her out if you haven’t!

Second is Alanlert (Lertalan), an amazing illustrator from Thailand. I think collaborating with him would be really amazing. His work is so vibrant and cool, and I love the way he incorporates this vast world into his work.

For local artists, I especially admire Clari. She’s an absolute beast. I just find her hardworking and simply amazing! Her works are so bold and expressive, and I feel like we really can create some interesting things together, combining our styles.

Lastly, I find MOLD, a 3D printing design studio in Makati, very interesting. Their level of incorporating innovative ways into their work is just so cool. They really go outside of the box in design and complexity, which I wish to understand more about and incorporate in my work. Being able to collaborate with them, or even just having a conversation with their team, would be amazing.

Hoping to see your collaborative projects with any or all of them soon! To end, can you tell us how your current journey so far has deepened your appreciation for your craft? How do you hope to share this feeling through your art?

I’m really proud of how far I’ve come as an artist. I sometimes forget to remember how hard I’ve worked to get here. My relationship with myself and my work has improved simply by doing art, and the people who have supported me played such a big role in that. I am incredibly grateful.

The artist that I am now is different from who I was then, and it still baffles me sometimes. I just hope that I can inspire others to pursue their dreams and to never give up on them. Life is so, so short. I can only hope that my art can remind people that with the little time we’re given, we can move with purpose. Because even the smallest of insects can carry weight and leave traces of beauty in the world. •