How I started illustrating

One of my earliest memories as a child involves a pen, a paper tablecloth, and the anticipation of a family meal on a sunny Sunday afternoon. This simple act of creativity, drawing while waiting for our food, sparked a joy in me that has lasted a lifetime.

My artistic journey began with manga, then naturally evolved into live drawing. I found myself gravitating towards magazines, using them as a resource to refine my skills and deepen my understanding of structures, proportions, and perspective. This exploration was not just about improving technically but also about nurturing a passion that had been with me since those early family lunches.

In 2011, my adventure took a new turn when I moved to Dublin for work and enrolled in an illustration workshop. This experience was a playground of different mediums and styles, culminating in a public exhibition that truly motivated me to embrace the fun in my work. I eagerly anticipated seeing my creations framed and displayed on the walls of the Film Base in Temple Bar, surrounded by the works of other talented amateur illustrators.

The theme of my work was "Things that I found funny since I moved to Dublin." Despite having only lived in Ireland for a year, I quickly noticed a shared sense of humor between the Spanish and the Irish, particularly in our ability to laugh at ourselves. This perspective, seen through the eyes of a Spanish expat adjusting to new weather, new routines, and the daily adventure of life in Dublin, may not have resonated with everyone. Yet, it was a heartfelt attempt to connect with my new surroundings and celebrate the common joy we find in laughter. Here's two of the series of six pieces I drew for the exhibition.

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Traffic lights in Dublin can really play with your nerves. They can take forever to get green, and then, among intensive "beep, beep, beep", you have to cross in a few seconds. Makes sense? Not to me but I'm used to it now and I miss it when I am out of the city and that soundtrack is not around when trying to cross the street.

I may sound a bit cheesy, but sometimes that's my goal with my drawings. To bring a smile to people's faces, to poke fun at life and ourselves. Embrace the silliness, let loose, and have a blast.

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