Instagram: @karla__alcazar Website: www.karla-alcazar.com
1. What's your story? Where are you from?I’m originally from Mexico. I went to uni but I didn’t graduated as an illustrator, I graduated as a psychologist. I was about to start a masters in Clinical psychology, but that just didn’t feel right… despite of finding psychology insanely interesting I wasn't sure that it was the right path for me, specially since becoming an illustrator was sort of a lifelong dream of mine, so I felt that I was making a very big mistake committing to something I was unsure about. I had one of those “what am I doing with my life” moments that made me rethink everything. So I grabbed a suitcase and moved to Boston, Massachusetts; a city that soaked me with confidence. So one sunny day I grabbed my suitcase along with some courage and moved to the UK, where I finally studied illustration. After a few unfortunate (and some fortunate) events, I moved back to Mexico for a couple years; I recharged my batteries (and soul) and moved back to the UK, where I currently live with my boyfriend and our collection of dying plants.2. Tell us about your aesthetic.I think I’m drawn to depicting solitude and pensiveness. I also like to surround my characters in a world where nature is heavily present.3. What is your favourite medium and why?Markers! I’m not a very patient person so I love that markers dry almost instantly (and I really like their very subtle texture). I also love colored pencils, because of their graininess.4. What is your artistic process like?I start sketching a very basic idea of what I want to communicate or I think of an element I think should be present in the final illustration. Then I usually go out for a walk while I listen to some music and observe people. Sometimes I go to the library and browse around. I also try to take photos while I’m out. Then I go back to the studio and try to make a connection between colours, faces, concepts. I try really hard to make sense of things.5. Who and/or what inspires your work?Words, most of the time. Sometimes people and objects I see, but mostly words.6. What role does art play in your life? How does it change the way you view the world?I consider art a cathartic getaway. I think it helps me to feel more connected with myself, and to push me to see the world under a different light every time. It can also be a burden, but most of the time is liberating.7. Where did you study?Norwich University of the Arts.8. Where do you see yourself in five years? Working in an agency?I would like to maybe be part of an illustration agency, and maybe do more editorial work.9. What about in ten?That’s a loaded question! haha. Maybe by then I would like to have published a book or two, and maybe have visited Japan.10. What do you hope to achieve with your art?I hope to connect with people. Hope they can remember my work and for it to be somehow significant to them. I also hope to connect with myself.11. Now, tell us a little more about you as a person: what is your favourite food?Pasta! and pizza! and Mexican food! (chilaquiles are my favorite!)12. Favourite book?That's a though one. I really loved “The Disaster Artist” by Greg Sestero and Tom Bissell. I also love “The House of Spirits” by Isabel Allende. I’m currently reading “The Quantum Universe: Everything That Can Happen Does Happen” by Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw and it’s quickly becoming a favourite.13. Favourite genre of music?Post punk revival is what I listen to more, but I also enjoy jazz, ambience and anything featuring an accordion.14. What are your hobbies?I like to do yoga, go on walks and to read. I love going to the cinema and to listen to music and to pretend I make youtube tutorials.15. If you weren't an artist, what would you be?A psychologist, but if I’m allowed to dream, I would say an astronaut.Comments are closed.
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