@soycapucha

Instagram: @soycapucha Facebook: www.facebook.com/capucha.lapucha

1. What's your story? Where are you from?

Mi name is Capucha (not really but we'll go with that one!) I'm from Argentina. I was born in Santa Cruz, Patagonia Argentina. I lived my childhood in a really small town, only 600 people lived in there. A really cold and windy place, ideal for drawing. Since I remember I always had a pencils and papers available for me to draw and play. I never stop drawing since. Gotta thank my parents for that. And for my Sega Genesis too.

2. Tell us about your aesthetic.

Well this is a hard question because I believe I don't have one. Many people say I do, I don't believe it. Maybe I tend to use geometric forms to simplify my drawings, and a lot of vibrant colors. I think is part of a process to have an aesthetic, and I'm in the middle of that process. I'm just starting to see a lot of people and artists I admire to follow and enjoy my work and that is what keeps me going. What I try to achieve with my drawings and paintings is to tell little stories, the style will come later I hope.

3. What is your favourite medium and why?

Digital. I discovered the Wacom tablets like 8 years ago. I was blown away with what you could do with that tool. I knew how to use Photoshop. I saved up money and bought a Wacom Intuos 4. That is the same tablet I use today for all of my drawings. I love it and keep good care of it. I know there are better tools, like the Cintiq, but they are really expensive for me. I draw a lot with color pencils too.

4. What is your artistic process like?

I do a lot of research, tons of it! I like to get motivated by looking at the work of other artists. I have a Pinterest account with hundreds of images of different stuff I like. Mechs, poses, tutorials, composition. It is all there to get you started. Then I start sketching. I have a sketchbook to start tracing the ideas I have. I always do rough sketches. My sketchbooks look awful! But I think is good to start that way. I scan my drawings and start painting over that in photoshop.

5. Who and/or what inspires your work?

This might sound dumb, but everything inspires me. Movies, music, people, life. I try to look at things with a creative eye, trying to catch little things and moments I can use in my paintings. In a more practical sense, I use the work of my favourite artists to inspire me. If I want to draw landscapes, I look at the work of Robh Ruppel, Alberto Mielgo, Jasmin Lai, Kevin Dart or Elle Michalka. If I want to draw characters I look at the work of Alexandre Zedig Diboine, Jeff Turley, Willie Real, Juliaon Roels amongst others. I truly admire their work and puts me in the right mood for creating art.

6. What role does art play in your life? How does it change the way you view the world?

A big role. It is what I think of all day long. If I'm not drawing or painting I feel bad, almost like sick or guilty. It is like a drug, but a good one! I think we are in this world for a short amount of time, you might as well leave something that transcends your existence. I hope that someone now and in the future will see my work and get inspired in the same way I do when I look at art.

7. Where did you study?

Well, this is odd. I studied Architecture in the University of Buenos Aires. I am an architect. I never studied illustration. I am a self-taught artist. I think that I knew I wanted to be an illustrator since I have memory, but for many reasons never followed that path professionally. But now I'm older and a little wiser, I think. If you are going to live your life, you might as well enjoy what you do for a living. So if anybody is reading this: I work really hard and I'm almost never late. Hire me...please?

8. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Working as an illustrator in some studio, anywhere in the world.

9. What about in ten?

Working as an illustrator in some studio, anywhere in the world, but balder and chubbier.

10. What do you hope to achieve with your art?

I have a few ideas in mind. I like to write also. I would like to make a book, a graphic novel. And learn animation. But that is so hard it scares me! But that is something I would love to do also. For now, I try to practice hard and get better in what I do.

11. Now, tell us a little more about you as a person: what is your favourite food?

This will sound cheesy...but anything with cheese. Kidding! Anything my mother cooks. She cooks this food called Culurgionis. It is a traditional italian dish (she is italian) that is so good! It is stuffed pasta with potatoes, garlic, mint, cheese...Amazing!. But I like empanadas, asado, milanesas. Look those up on google. They are traditional argentinian dishes we are known for. Dulce de leche too. Please try that! It is the argentinian Nutella, only better.

12. Favourite book?

Unlike art, I feel like I get connected better with argentinian writers. I think it is the way that we talk, the places, culture. I don't know if I have a favourite book, but a favourite author. Pedro Mairal, I've read almost all of his work. "El año del desierto" (Year of the desert) is such a good book. Sad but so good. If I want to laugh or feel nostalgic, Hernan Casciari is another author you would love. "El pibe que arruinaba las fotos" (The kid that used to ruin pictures) is one of my favourite books.

13. Favourite genre of music?

I use a lot of spotify to know new musicians. I listen a lot of indie. There's an australian radio called Triple J, I listen to it on Youtube. Really great for listening to indie artists! But lately I'm listening to Childish Gambino and Action Bronson a lot.

14. What are your hobbies?

Buying a large bag of candies and going to the movies with my girlfriend. She is my greatest fan! Really loves my work and she is always giving me away art books to keep me motivated. She is a great companion.

15. If you weren't an artist, what would you be?

A sad person. "El mundo es de los ladrones y de los artistas"