ANALEOVY : A CONVERSATION ON CREATIVE INSPIRATION

Hey Analeovy! How is your day going?

Hi! Can't complain, sipping coffee as we speak so pretty good ☺

For those who might not be familiar with your work, or perhaps the name behind it, how would you introduce yourself and your practice?

I'm a digital artist specialising in what I called 3D makeup, which is makeup - something that can transform your face - but using digital softwares :)

Do you define yourself as an artist? How would you introduce your practice to those who don’t know you? 

I have trouble using the word “artist”, I feel like it sounds pretentious calling myself one for some reason haha. Anyways I know it’s just a word, and I guess technically it is what I am since I live off my art. But when I have to say what I do for a living I’d usually go for a short and casual “I paint” instead, and if people are curious to know more I'd normally prefer to show them my work rather than explain it with words.

You are so prolific! You produce so much incredible work, with each piece as tranquil, immersive and beautiful as the last. Quite simply, where do you find your creative inspiration?

Aw thank you, that’s very sweet!! Anything, even the simple things of everyday life can be inspiring. It really depends on the day; sometimes I’m inspired by my own emotions, the weather, combinations of colours I see on the streets, a quote I read, a song, a movie, conversations I have with friends, relationships, interactions between humans, nature… so many things can trigger my imagination, there is no specific formula I follow to find inspiration, but there are certain things I like to do to spark creativity. For example, taking long walks or going to a café by myself to do some people watching (ok, this sounds creepy) but I love to see what colours and textures people wear, how they move and how they behave. I imagine their stories.

Even if it’s the leftover crusts on toast, or ruminations on the shapes of clouds, it seems you find faces, scenes and beauty everywhere you go! What roles do the everyday and the commonplace play in your practice?

It’s extremely important to me to take time to play around, explore different themes and techniques, without having to please anyone or meet a deadline. They are both fun and challenging in their own way. The number of commercial projects I do each year is very random and depends on many factors, so in between these I try squeezing in as much personal work as possible. This helps to keep a certain structure and allows me to maintain a creative rhythm and to PRACTICE. Most of the time these works are the ones that lead me to a new client, so I take doing them regularly as seriously as if they were paid jobs.

Do you ever struggle to find inspiration? What happens when you encounter blank page syndrome, and what do you do to overcome it?

Of course! When I don’t feel super creative and I have a deadline to meet I push myself much more and sketch like crazy. I rarely throw any of them away, I might not use them then but it’s helpful to look back on old stuff, especially when I am lacking inspiration. Sometimes even a small detail of an old drawing can trigger new ideas.

It’s extremely important to me to take time to play around, explore different themes and techniques, without having to please anyone or meet a deadline.

What advice would you give someone who is struggling to find any creative inspiration?

To keep on going, doodle whatever; make it feel like it’s a game. Try another medium you don't normally use just for fun. I was going through a bit of a creative block myself recently. I started doing colour drawings on my sketchbook that led to a whole new series for my show, it was refreshing doing something different.

Is there a difference in where you find ideas when working on something commercial compared to something personal?

Not really, usually when doing commercial work the client gives you a theme, so that helps narrow it down though (it can be a bit overwhelming having too much freedom). But my process doesn’t really change much; maybe I do more online research with commercial work, and cleaner, more organised sketches (because I know I will show them to the client haha).

What do you find has the greatest impact on your motivation and creative inspiration to work?

Probably my current location and my emotions.

People seem to be a primary focus in your work. What draws you to painting people, and what part do they play in your work?

II just find people and the human body fascinating, how we interact with one another depending on where we are and whom we are with. At the moment I like doing figurative work because it allows me to portray different emotions while making it relatable to others. It’s exciting when someone reaches out saying they see themselves or someone they know reflected on my paintings. But who knows, maybe in a couple of years I will only paint fruits or something completely different.

So much of what makes your work so remarkable is your command of colour. Let’s be honest, you truly are a master of it. What influences the colours you work with?

Wow thanks!! Playing with colour is so fun; I really enjoy it ☺. I grew up in Mexico and I think it's inevitable not to feel inspired by Mexican culture, its colours, diversity and vibrant scenes you get to experience daily. Applying colour comes very naturally when I am working, this is probably my favourite part of the creative process, and so I try not to think too much about it and just follow my gut. The hardest part is choosing the first colour; this one will define the rest. But anywhere I go really I’m mostly influenced by my surroundings. When I see colour compositions I like I try taking pictures or doing a quick sketch to capture the palette, this helps when I am looking for inspiration later.

HYou’ve worked with clothing brands to create unique pieces, and have had your work produced on beautiful silk. Are there any other mediums you’d like to try to play with, but haven’t had the chance yet? 

Maybe some wood or metal sculptures would be interesting, or jewellery… hmmm interesting.

How significant is the material you’re working on in the creation and motivation behind your work?

Each material and surface has its own challenges. But the technique and materials I use for a project really depend more on where and how I will be showcasing that work.  If I wanna do something more detailed and textured I´d go for colored pencils, If I’m going big i'll go for oils on canvas and if the work needs to be digitised I’d go for gouache.

Damien Hirst commented that art is about life, and the art world is about money. Does the art scene local to you, and globally, affect how inspired you are, and what do you think needs to change? 

WIt is a bit frustrating doing art while trying to make your work appealing to the world so you can get a job, not gonna lie. But I was lucky to find a niche in which my art and peace of mind can co-exist. I don’t think that necessarily has an effect on my inspiration per se, if anything some artists I admire just make me want to be better and create more. I feel bummed more in terms of how we consume art these days, everything seems so disposable and the fact that we sometimes find each other creating just to be seen in social media for a second and value our potential based on the amount of likes we have terrifies me, and yes that is very uninspiring. 

Any final thoughts?

I’d love an ice cream right now

Thank you Analeovy, it’s always such a joy to talk to you!

My pleasure!! It was fun doing this, thank YOU for the interesting questions 💕