THE ILLUSTRATOR
MARIA JESUS
Maria Jesús is a creative woman and a dreamer. She's an illustrator, a teacher by profession, and the mother of a beautiful little girl. A lover of drawing, color, and having fun surrounded by watercolors, we have the pleasure of getting to know her a little better during this brief interview.
"I love experimenting and having fun while I create. My inspiration comes from everyday life, the street, and nature, although my imagination draws heavily from film, fashion, and photography."
Interview
How did you become interested in the world of illustration?
Although it sounds cliché, I have been drawing since I was very little and it has always been one of my main interests.
How would you define your style as an illustrator? What are your sources of inspiration for developing your creative ideas?
To be honest, I have a hard time defining myself. I think I'm delicate, but at the same time, I like to add a touch of fun and sometimes a surreal touch to my illustrations.
What do you like to illustrate most?
Women are the focus of my work, although nature and animals also appear in many of them. In fact, I think they're closely linked.
“I like to feel comfortable, feminine, and cool. I like to play with fashion. I'm quite eclectic. Just as our moods change, so does the way we want to look today.”
What's your daily routine like? We know you're a mother of a daughter. How do you manage to balance being a mother with your work?
Well, it's hard to find time for everything, and there are times when I feel like I'm not getting anything done. When I'm home, I like to spend quality time with my daughter and be there for her, so I often have to find time from wherever I can to be able to do everything.
How do you usually dress on a daily basis?
In my daily routine, it's very important to feel comfortable in what I wear, but that doesn't have to be at odds with losing style.
We know you've been a loyal fan of Biscuit for years. What's your favorite thing, or what would you highlight?
I like the timelessness of their clothes and their flattering designs for all types of women.
You also teach denim painting workshops. Tell us a little about how you got there.
I've always liked customizing my clothes, whether by sewing on different details or painting them. So, this denim painting workshop comes from there. It's another way of applying illustration, but instead of doing it on paper, it's done on garments.
“It’s a marvel to wear “art” and a unique garment that no one else will have the same.”
Do you have any branch within the artistic world that you would like to develop?
I'm starting ceramics this September, and I'm sure it'll be a joy. I've been wanting to take a course for a while, and the time has come.
“My dream is to one day be able to make a living from my art.”
“Art has been an important pillar in my life: it gives me wings, it gives me peace, and it serves as a refuge.”
