Hispanic Heritage Month
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we want to highlight the amazing talent we represent from Mexico and Spain. The culture, traditions and personal experiences of our artists come through in their art, offering unique designs with a global perspective.
Tània Garcia
Where are you from and how does that affect your work?
I’m from Barcelona, a city that I love for its rich culture, where the traditional and the modern are mixed and there is art in every corner. I feel so inspired when I visit its museums and exhibitions, walk through the old town, get lost in Els Encants flea market or enjoy the panoramic view of the city at the Carmel Bunkers, an anti-aircraft battery, which were essential in Barcelona’s defensive system during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). The magic of color of Gaudi’s architecture, friendly people, the sunny weather, its cafés and restaurants and the wide range of fun activities to do puts me in the mood to make joyful and fresh illustrations with vibrant colors.
Who are your biggest artistic influences?
My major influence is the Mid-Century illustration style. Mary Blair, Charley Harper, Miroslav Sasek or Eric Carle are some of the illustrators I admire the most from that time. I really like the way they use textures, patterns and vibrant colours. Nature is also a great influence on my work so I love being surrounded by plants and flowers.
Where do you find inspiration and what motivates you to create?
I get inspiration by trips, movies, friends, fashion, my city, vintage stuff, everyday situations and everything that makes me feel joyful.
How do you define success as an artist?
For me, being successful as an artist means working on projects you love, making people feel positive and happy with your art, giving up perfectionism and having time to rest and take care of yourself.
Mia Charro
Where are you from and how does that affect your work?
I was born in Spain and that’s where I live. I think that being born here has influenced me in that this country is incredibly diverse, full of contrasts, color and light and really so are my illustrations. Every corner has very deep roots and cultures. Ancestral traditions are very present in my country. We have many legends that are lost in the mists of time about elves, fairies, forest creatures… maybe that’s why I like to reflect the importance of nature, forests, flowers, because somehow I relate it to a magical world and at the same time close.
Who are your biggest artistic influences?
I love Mary Blair, Beatrix Potter. And also Alfonso Serra, Meera Lee Patel, and Roeqiya Fris.
Where do you find inspiration and what motivates you to create?
I find inspiration in nature, in the calm of the leaves of the trees, in the whispering waves of the sea, in the purple sunsets of the Mediterranean. Nature is my source and my strength, my poetry.
How do you define success as an artist?
For me, success as an artist is that your message reaches people and makes them smile. I love to receive feedback from my followers telling me that I have made their day with one of my illustrations, or that they thank me for the message I have put in a positive sentence because they were having a bad day.
Ingrid Sanchez (Creative Ingrid)
Where are you from and how does that affect your work?
I was born in the north of Mexico, but I grew up mainly in the centre of the country. While I love my country, I am also nomad at heart, and as a teenager and young adult I have lived in various different cities, but always looking to learn from the diversity that Mexico offers.
At the age of 24 I moved to Barcelona, followed by London, NYC and back to London where I am currently based.
My Mexican origins will always have an impact on the way I see the world, and my art reflects that, as well as an interpretation of how I experience life around me. My colours are from Mexico, my themes are from nature, it cannot get more international.
Who are your biggest artistic influences?
This is something that is subject to continuous change, and to be honest I don’t always know how to answer this question. First, because I believe that the influence that I perceive doesn’t come from other people’s creations. Not that I don’t admire other artists, but I try not to be like anyone else, I want to paint like myself, if that makes any sense?
When I was young and probably until now, my favorite artist has been Vincent Van Gogh, although this makes me feel really old fashioned!
Where do you find inspiration and what motivates you to create?
I find inspiration everywhere! Ideas can arrive at anytime or place, sometimes during a conversation, while reading a book or walking in the forest.
If I feel blocked and I am in need of inspiration, I just need to open all my senses, be aware and present. It is like saying, “Hey, I am here, ready when you are.”
How do you define success as an artist?
Success is a word that I don’t like, because what does it means? To sell, to make money, to be published?
I think that if you are happy creating art, then you are an artist, a happy person and that is all that matters.