From creating eye-catching visual displays to illustrating a children’s book, creativity has always been a defining part of Enry Villez Gruta’s life. His career as a Visual Merchandising Project Coordinator in Dubai has allowed him to conceptualize and develop artistic designs for seasonal campaigns and new product launches. But he never imagined that a casual afternoon at a coffee shop would lead him to a remarkable new chapter in his artistic journey.
One day, while immersed in designing a new concept, a man approached him from behind and asked about his work. That man was Mr. Craig, a tourist from New York City, who took an immediate interest in Enry’s artistry. “To my surprise, he offered me a project—an opportunity to collaborate on his upcoming children’s book,” Enry recalled to The Global Filipino Magazine. They exchanged contact details, and soon after, the conversation turned into something bigger than either of them had anticipated.
What followed was a months-long collaboration filled with creativity, challenges, and new discoveries. Now, their book is set to be displayed in bookstores across New York and Dubai. “It’s incredible how one simple encounter can change your path,” Enry said. “This achievement is not just mine but a celebration of the limitless potential of Filipino artists everywhere.”
A new artistic challenge
For Enry, illustration was an uncharted territory. “I have enjoyed creating art in many forms throughout my life—using paints, pencils, and digital tools. But I mostly kept my work private, creating for my own enjoyment rather than sharing it with others,” he admitted.
His career in visual merchandising had been fulfilling, offering the joy of seeing his concepts come to life in store displays. But illustrating a book was a different kind of challenge. “It allowed me to bring characters to life, giving personality and expression to the animals in the book based on the story’s narrative,” he explained. The experience not only expanded his creative horizons but also reshaped his confidence in his artistic abilities.
The process of illustrating a children’s book required Enry to tap into a different kind of creativity. “I knew the characters had to appeal to children, so I looked within myself to find what made me smile,” he shared. He carefully read the text, imagined the animals’ personalities, and placed them in environments where they naturally belonged.
One of his favorite parts was illustrating the monkey’s animal friends. “Bringing them to life with playful expressions and vibrant settings was a joy,” he said. But his artistic input didn’t stop at visuals—he also influenced the storyline. “Originally, a common bird was part of the story, but I proposed replacing it with a penguin. Not only was it more fun to draw, but it also introduced an exciting new setting—Antarctica. Mr. Craig had to rewrite that part of the story, but he was thrilled with the change.”
For Enry, this was a revelation. “It showed me how illustration can influence storytelling, shaping the way children connect with characters and their world.”
Overcoming distance and deadlines
Like any creative project, there were challenges—one of the biggest being the physical distance between him and Mr. Craig. “I first met him in January, just before he left for New York. We stayed in touch through messages, and I shared some of my artwork with him,” Enry said.
By May, they had discussed the idea of a book, but it wasn’t until July that Mr. Craig sat down and wrote the story. “He’s definitely not an artist—he once sketched the monkey, and I mistook it for a dinosaur,” Enry laughed. Mr. Craig outlined the pages and described his vision for each scene, and from there, Enry took the lead.
“For the next six months, I worked on my own, sending him artwork, discussing changes, and making revisions,” he said. When Mr. Craig returned to Dubai, they refined the illustrations together, finalizing the last page just three days before his flight back to New York. “Despite the time zone differences and long-distance communication, we made it work.”
Inspiring fellow Filipino creatives
Enry’s success is not just about one book—it’s about the bigger picture. “I believe that creativity has no boundaries, and as artists, we have the power to share our vision with the world—no matter where we come from.”
He wants his journey to inspire fellow Filipino creatives to seize every opportunity. “What matters is having the courage to embrace them, trust our talent, and keep pushing forward,” he said. “Our artistry is valuable, our stories are worth telling, and our voices deserve to be heard.”
His advice? “Stay open to possibilities, even those you never planned for. Sometimes, the most life-changing moments come from saying yes to unexpected opportunities.”
With his first book illustration project successfully completed, Enry is eager to explore more creative avenues. “Seeing my name on a book cover was a surreal moment that deepened my passion for illustration,” he said. He hopes to work on more children’s books while also venturing into other artistic fields.
“I envision creating paintings for children’s rooms, whether from my imagination or custom commissions. I also enjoy designing abstract art that could be displayed as wall decor or stylish prints on clothing,” he shared.
Ultimately, Enry’s dream is to establish a graphic studio that fosters collaboration with fellow Filipino creatives. “This is just the beginning,” he said. “And I’m excited for what’s next.”
