Vectorize raster graphics using precise mesh, gradients, and masks in Illustrator

I make big, detailed artworks out of thousands of tiny emojis, layered like brushstrokes until they become something new. Up close, you see every emoji. From far away, you see the image. To exhibit them at scale, every emoji has to be rebuilt as a vector in Illustrator, true to its raster reference's original textures and lighting. Glossy, soft, dimensional. Not auto-traced. Not flat. It’s weirdly devotional work. You'll typically get a new batch of emojis to vectorize every few weeks. The job is to match every detail: how the light hits, where the blur softens, what gives it life. If you notice that stuff naturally, you’ll thrive. The bar for this work is high, and reaching it can take a few rounds of revisions. See a few examples here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h-S5hCIWG5UtLRuQbKcC_-e8NBQgfx3g/view?usp=sharing If it sounds like your thing, I’ll send a paid test with one emoji. From there, it'll be batches of emojis. To apply: send one .ai file that shows your craft -- mesh, masks, blends, whatever -- and a sentence or two about why this kind of work speaks to you. No PNGs, no ChatGPT. Just show me you get it.