​Hello! I am Ilayda, currently residing in Gatineau, QC. Born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, I was awarded a scholarship for my bachelor’s study in Animation and Cartooning Program at Istanbul Maltepe University, where I focused in traditional and stop-motion animation. Throughout my career I enjoyed expressing myself through a number of works that vary from children’s books illustrations and festival designs to a solo exhibition named ‘Raw’ where I merged printmaking and animation mediums to produce a “raw” animation. Every living being is shaped by its personal experiences and an artist has the privilege of projecting these experiences in her/his unique way. I derive inspiration from nature. I enjoy experimenting with the boundaries of a variety of art mediums such as watercolours, printmaking, sculptural work and digital media while expressing my personal experiences through art.