My name is Chaitanya Limaye and I am a freelance illustrator, animator and visual storyteller. I have been drawing since I was a kid. Over the years I have worked as an animator in animated and VFX films like Disney's The Jungle Book and have illustrated book covers and designed for merchandise.

I absolutely love the incredible feeling of seeing a character come alive in real surroundings. I make illustrations of a little cartoon version of myself (whom I call 'Chai') and photograph him in different locations.

This is an ongoing project that I post on my Instagram page. Usually, I draw, paint and animate digitally. Doing this project makes me get away from the computer and draw and make things with paper, markers, scissors and camera in the most tactile way to bring the character to life. I have always enjoyed taking photos of interesting things I notice every day - may it be the sunlight striking the leaf while making it glow, a puppy relaxing at the door of a cobbler's shack or busy market street.

I thought a combination of my interests in illustration and photography would be even more fun and another way to do visual storytelling! I want my work to create a strong connection with my audience. Take a peek at Chai's world through my Instagram page.

More info: Instagram