Computer Arts: Can you tell us a bit about your career?
AC: I moved from Mexico City in May 2005 and was hired
by Curiosity Group, a creative marketing agency in Portland, Oregon, where
I’m now a senior art director. I got several job offers because
I’d made a portfolio showcasing my skills and had been mentioned
on some worldwide design community portals. The art community is strong
here and that inspires everyone who wants to create artwork. Maybe one
day I’ll go back. I miss the culture, and the tacos!
CA: How does Mexican culture influence your illustration work?
AC: It’s not technically a Mexican style in terms
of aesthetics, but it is thematically and contextually. In the near future
I’m planning to create some pieces directly related to my origins.
I like subtle and unsaturated colour palettes, which is the opposite of
typical Mexican art, but I use a diversity of textures and floral patterns
– elements always present in traditional Mexican art.
CA: Your website is divided between design work and illustration.
Is your illustration just for pleasure and your design for commercial
purposes?
AC: All my life I’ve been amazed by the illustration
world and I’m doing more artwork for pleasure and trying to find
time to work in my own art style. I’d love to sell my work, and
hope to in the future. I’m still doing design because it gives me
the opportunity to explore new ways of creating visuals and communicating
messages. I believe that design and illustration complement each other.
CA: How do you combine traditional elements with digital media?
AC: Painting and fine art provide richness and a feeling that
I like – and results that are impossible to create from scratch
on the computer. But working with Photoshop and Illustrator daily gives
me tools and resources to explore. I think you should use any media if
the results are worth it. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with adding
texture to my paintings digitally. I create a base by hand using watercolours
for the tones and archival black ink for the line work. I then scan the
piece, keeping the texture of the paper, and manipulate the image, adding
material textures from digitised pictures mixed up with Photoshop filters.
CA: Who or what influences you?
AC: Many lowbrow artists and contemporary surrealists. I admire
people such as Jeff Soto, Mark Ryden and Camille Rose Garcia. My work
is currently focused on character design. A big influence on this are
designers on cartoon shows, such as Genndy Tartakovsky or Craig McCracken.
They create amazing characters with personalities I want in my work.