Hello! I'm Alyssa, a children's book illustrator and storyteller from India based in New York, US.
I grew up in a sleepy little town called Churachandpur in Manipur, which lies in the north-eastern region of India. The town is located amidst hills, rice fields and forests. As children, it was natural for us to spend a great deal of time outdoors throughout the year. Life was simple and storytelling was a big part of our life, where summer and winter evenings were often spent listening to folktales from older folk.
As I have always been enamoured by myths, legends and supernatural lore, my work is heavily influenced by folktales and folklore from my region and other cultures. I am also inspired by childhood narratives and simple stories of ordinary people around me.
In my spare time, I enjoy exploring the rich native flora of New York. So you will probably find me pottering about, taking pictures of leaves, flowers, tree roots, berries and mossy rocks.
Primarily, I work with traditional mediums of ink and watercolour.
If you’re interested in collaborating or have a project in mind, please feel free to reach out at alyssa.pachuau@gmail.com