Interview with Mayka Cantu Casanova
BRIEF STORY
I’m from Monterrey, Mexico, and right now I’m based in Monterrey.
I’m an illustrator and Industrial designer, whose deep love is for art, since I was a child I love to draw and imagine unseen worlds, my greatest passion is to create new art and be able to show to other people my dreams.
I love to create artworks on which they can communicate what I see on my mind; that’s why also my main goal is to show to the viewers perceptions of their own imagination.
My main techniques start from drawing my own idea and then be edited on the computer.
Then finish with all the details and have the work in digital.
Also my other techniques are based on working with vectors and build the structure of the main concept.
I have many artists that I really admire, but some of them are Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Syd Mead, Moebius, etc.
Therefore right now I’m working on several projects, some of them are series of 70s and 80s Icons, Wild Animals and many other projects.
I have a bachelor in Industrial Design, and during that time I went to study abroad to Manchester, Amsterdam, Paris and Japan in order to learn new things and art theory.
I also have experience in Graphic Design and Marketing.
My ideal work is to be always drawing and do what I really love, for example sometimes I’m inspired by a character or movie, I love making my own emotion real and also be able to show to people what my mind truly sees.
I pursue to be a better artist everyday and be able to inspire other people through my imagination and hard work.
As a child, what were your earliest artistic inspirations, and how have they shaped your current style and preferences in art?
What has inspired me the most for my work, I believe, has been the movies, as well as anime and the places I have visited. The way movies and places have influenced my art and the artistic currents that inspire me have modified the way I perceive my art. Similarly, I think the music from the movies I have watched has helped me a lot in creating works of different styles.
You mention a deep connection with imagining unseen worlds. How do you translate these imaginative visions into tangible artworks?
I believe that by listening to music from different movies and soundtracks, I transport myself to another world, a place to escape from my reality, where all my characters and stories connect. Likewise, I seek ways to translate that imagination or stories into a tangible work.
How has your technique evolved from traditional drawing to incorporating digital elements and vector work?
My art techniques have changed significantly due to the digital era, but I also consider it to be an important shift in my style, making the creative process a bit easier to showcase my ideas. I still enjoy starting with traditional techniques to establish my ideas and concepts, but everything is digitally transferred to reach a wider audience.
You’ve listed icons like Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Syd Mead, and Moebius as inspirations. How do each of these figures influence your art?
Yes, my greatest inspiration for many years has been Audrey Hepburn. I love cinema, and I believe I've watched her movies throughout my life, as well as films starring Grace Kelly and the golden era of Hollywood. Syd Mead and Moebius have been inspirations for my art technique and their unique styles in storytelling.
Can you tell us more about your current projects, particularly the series on 70s and 80s Icons and Wild Animals? What inspired these themes?
Sure, the collection from the 70s and 80s is inspired by the movies of those years, in which the style and clothing inspire me a lot, as well as the music. For the wild animals collection, I love animals and my greatest inspiration is my love for them. At the moment, I'm working on several projects and I'm very curious about the Middle East and the Cyberpunk theme, as well as the 3D world and the generative AI trend.
How did your studies abroad in Manchester, Amsterdam, Paris, and Japan contribute to your artistic development and understanding of art theory?
I believe that what impacted me the most during my travels is the tradition and art, the way of thinking and seeing life in other countries. Likewise, I learned a lot about art in Japan with my Sumi-e course, which helped me understand the painting process and art styles. Also, the incredible art museums and the love and passion for art.
With a background in industrial design, graphic design, and marketing, how do these disciplines interplay in your artistic process?
I believe that these disciplines are somewhat similar, but the most important thing I could learn from them is that the creative process is crucial. The process of researching artistic currents, conceptualizing the idea, and brainstorming are extremely important when creating art.
You expressed a desire to continuously improve as an artist. What specific goals or milestones have you set for yourself in the near future?
Yes, I believe one of my main goals would be to inspire new artists, to reach a level and status in the art world, where I can be a great inspiration for artists and art curators. Also, to help create new trends and art techniques that will assist in the future as new artistic ways. Also now, with artificial intelligence, I believe it's a great tool that helps new artists find their own style.
In what ways do you hope to inspire other people through your art? Do you have any advice for aspiring artists who look up to your work?
I hope to inspire many people through my art in a way that they can transport themselves to different worlds and places they have always dreamed of, to convey what I feel through my art. Likewise, my advice for new artists would be to always follow their dreams no matter how difficult or obstacles there may be, always follow their passion.
Could you walk us through your creative process, from initial inspiration to the final digital artwork? What challenges do you often face, and how do you overcome them?
Yes, of course. My inspiration starts with a movie, personal experience, or inspiration from an animation or fascinating book. Then, I seek inspiration on Pinterest or images, and my purpose is to showcase what I feel and what my mind sees at that moment. Sometimes, I face creative blocks and lack of inspiration at the moment, but eventually, inspiration arrives, allowing me to create what my mind sees into something amazing and unique.
