Minerva GM

Who or what influenced your art when you were young?
Illustrated children’s books and my English books when I was in elementary school.

Do you remember what your first artwork looked like? Do you still have it?
Yes, the first artwork for me, is a small painting that I did when I was in high school. I still have it with me.

Why did you choose illustration as to your life’s work instead of, for example, filmmaking, law, or even medicine?
I like to communicate ideas and feelings, I found in illustration the perfect way to do it and I didn’t want it to be just a hobby, I wanted to be my way of living.

Did you study art in school?
I formally started learning art in high school. I have a Communication Science degree, also I took several drawing classes and illustration courses.

Where does your inspiration come from; your impulse to make art? Do you have a source for your ideas?
I found my inspiration mostly in nature, but nowadays, I try to find it in illustrations experiments with gouache, textures, shapes, etc.

How would you describe the process of creating art?
Experimental, enjoyable, chaotic, methodical.

Do you have a favorite artist? What is it about that artist’s work you like?
I’m interested in Latinamerican art and illustration. Two of my favorites are Teresa Castelló and Carlos Mérida.

If you could do something else, other than creating art, what would it be?
Probably, editorial design.

Do you remember your first set of paints, pens, or markers?
Yes, it was a set of gouaches that I thought they will last forever, haha.

Do you have a favorite artist supply, a favorite method, or favorite location, where you like to create artwork?
Nowadays I have to different supplies, for my digital work, iPad, Wacom, and iMac. For traditional illustrations, gouache, colored pencils, acrylics, watercolors, etc. my favorite location it’s my little studio.

If you could give a viewer clues to understanding your art, what would you say?
I think my work is easy to interpret so I would encourage them to focus on the details and message.

Do you think illustration has the eye of the public or could public awareness of this field be improved upon?
Yes, it’s in the eye of the public.

Why does art matter to you? Why might it matter to the world?
Art is the reflection of the most sensible human side, is a way of expression, a way of making things which can’t be done verbally. Helps to shape individual and collective personality.

If you could look back or forward 100 years, do you think the life of an artist was or will be better than today?
It depends on what we think is better or worse, art has evolved interestingly, I’m more curious to know what will be the next step.