About me

I’m Débora Adachi, a Brazilian-Japanese children’s book illustrator, visual artist, and arts facilitator based in Ireland. My work lives in the quiet space where culture, memory, and belonging meet.

I’m someone who carries a deep human and artistic sensibility. I’m drawn to the transformational power of art as I experienced it firsthand. Art is the connection from the heart and soul to our hands. Sometimes, when words are not enough, a shape, a color, a mark can be an outlet for an emotion. Many times, in my life, while my hands were busy creating something, a conversation sparked an insight, a connection to another person.

My work as an arts facilitator began in 2022 and is deeply connected to my experience as a migrant artist and person, exploring what it means to navigate heritage, language, and home. I work at the intersection of multilingualism, migration, and participatory arts, creating process-led projects that invite people in rather than speak over them. I collaborate with children, young people, families, and people with disabilities, designing accessible creative workshops. By accessible, I mean using easy-to-source materials, adapting activities for different levels of ability and disability, and embracing the different cultures and languages in the room. I believe art is a bridge from the soul to the hands, and that making together can open up connection, confidence, and well-being when words are not enough.

I collaborate with organisations including The Ark, Mother Tongues, Tallaght Community Arts (TCA), and the Irish Architecture Foundation. Since 2023, I have served as an Artist Mentor at DoubleTAKE Studios (Rua Red), supporting artists with disabilities. My artwork has been exhibited at Hen’s Teeth Gallery, Garter Lane Arts Centre, and the London Book Fair, and my illustration clients include HarperCollins UK, Quarto Kids, Goethe-Institut, Creative Ireland, Mother Tongues, and DLR Arts Office. Published titles include The Boy Who Forgot To Say Goodbye (Goethe-Institut, 2025), Cruinniú na nÓg Activity Book (Create, 2024), and Weaving Stories (Mother Tongues, 2024).

I’m also a WEFT Studio Artist ‘23-’24 by Dublin Fringe Festival and a Vital Spark Artists ‘23-’24 by Baboro International Arts Festival and Spark Arts.

Furthermore, I’m also the Illustrator Coordinator for SCBWI Ireland and a member of DesignOpp.

For Children’s publishing inquiries, contact Eve Adler at eve@redfoxliterary.com

For all other inquiries, contact me at deboraadachiart@gmail.com so we can discuss your project! 

Purpose

My purpose is to connect with people through art.

Vision

My vision is a world where every person has access to creative spaces that support their mental health, emotional development, and sense of self - where art is recognized as a vital part of wellbeing, not a luxury.

Mission

My mission is to make art as accessible as possible, regardless of ability, age, language, or cultural background. I want people to feel they belong in creative spaces and to have practical, welcoming ways to make art in their own lives.

Values

I work with kindness and care.

I keep play and joy at the heart of the process.

I connect hearts to hands, because making is a powerful way to understand ourselves and each other.

I meet people where they are, and build from there.