In this episode of The Hungry Creative Podcast, Mo' sits down with Mayowa Alabi, widely known as Shutabug, to unpack the story behind the art. From the early days of doodling in class to creating illustrations that have caught the attention of Disney, Balmain, and the global creative community, Mayowa shares the truth about his evolution as an artist.
We talk about self-doubt, the pressure of creating for social media, navigating dual identities growing up, and how time offline helped him return to creating from a place of joy and authenticity.
Whether you're a designer, illustrator, or creative entrepreneur trying to find your voice, this episode reminds you that your story matters and that persistence, curiosity, and staying grounded can carry your work far.
🎧 What You’ll Learn:
How Mayowa’s creative style evolved over the years
Why stepping away from social media helped him rediscover his love for art
The backstory behind major collaborations with Disney and Balmain
What it means to embrace your identity through storytelling
How duality shaped his creative lens
The power of consistency and creative discipline
Dealing with self-doubt and keeping the hunger alive
🕒 Timestamps
00:00 – Intro & Creative Origins
03:08 – Growing Up Between Two Worlds
08:48 – First Steps into Digital Illustration
15:16 – Finding a Personal Voice in Art
23:09 – Going Silent: The 6-Month Hiatus
27:07 – Disney & Balmain Collab Reflections
35:57 – Transitioning Art into Fashion
43:04 – Overcoming Self-Doubt
52:00 – Practicing the Craft & Building Discipline
1:02:47 – Accepting Self & Evolving as a Creative
Check out more inspiring episodes:Â
Working at Pentagram & Closing Dá Design - Seyi Olusanya - https://youtu.be/_FgvpPlCO0U
The Art of Collaboration - Niyi Okeowo’s Secrets to Creative Success - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu5YeaqBfiA&t=1884s
From Physiotherapy to Design, Finding Purpose - Tunji Ogunoye - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiY0hOIy8iE&t=56s
Street Church Was A Quest To Know God | Tunde TNT - https://youtu.be/QsOVkPCi6sg
Subscribe and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you get your podcasts.
#TheHungryCreativePodcast #Shutabug #MayowaAlabi #CreativeJourney #StorytellingThroughArt #IllustrationPodcast #NigerianCreatives #DigitalArt #CreativeProcess #DesignDiscipline #Balmain #DisneyCollaboration
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