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Illustrator Interview: Marina Gonzalez Eme

05 Oct 2015

We found out about Marina González Eme through her booklet+badge published through Art Treats, and we were instantly amazed by her work and unique style. Marina graduated in Fine Arts from Complutense University Madrid, and besides working on illustration projects has exhibited personal work at galleries in London.

Marina González Eme

Tell us a bit about yourself: how did you get into art and illustration?

Since I was a kid, the thing I enjoyed the most was drawing and creating. I always knew the path I wanted to take, so I studied Fine Arts and then Illustration.

Where do you find inspiration for your work, and how do you melt your sources of inspiration to create a unique style like yours?

Expressionism has been always my biggest source of inspiration. I'm interested in anything related to the expression of the human as an emotional, irrational and intense being. Since my degree, I got great influences to which I come back again and again, such as Picasso, Schiele or Klimt. I also keep discovering other great artists like Kati Heck or Rick Bartow, among others.

You really blur the borders between fine art and illustration in your work. Is it hard trying to get those two worlds together?

When I finished my degree, I was making drawing projects in big format, always around woman's representation in society and media. I was trying to generate explicit and controversial images to try breaking beauty stereotypes. My interest kept moving from women's body to self-portraits. While I still think and work on these matters, I had to tune down that when entering illustration, in order to communicate other people's text and stories. At first, it all felt a bit alien to me, after indulging myself in purely personal projects.

I think there's a bit of both illustration and fine art in my pieces right now. There will always be more illustration on pieces where I have to tell an outside story based on a briefing. On the other side, I feel totally free when doing personal work, and there are also professional opportunities happening there.

Marina González Eme

What good (and bad) things do you feel the Internet and the new technologies have brought to illustration?

The most positive thing is how easy sharing your work has become. Making your work visible creates a lot of opportunities. All my work-related opportunities came through Internet and the profiles where I show my work: Facebook, Instagram or Behance.

Most negative aspect to me is the indispensable need of constant presence in the Internet. It takes a lot of time to be constantly updating, creating that feedback loop between showing off and inspirating yourself, to be aware of what others are doing and show what you are making everytime. As every other matter in life, I think finding a balance is key.

And last, but not least: any advice for aspiring artists just starting up their careers?

Be persistent and enjoy the creative process, even if it becomes a fight many times. And be honest with yourself when creating. That helped me to improve, learn, communicate and being overall happier.

Thanks a lot Marina!


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