When did you first get into drawing?

when I was a child, thanks to my mum. She loves drawing and encouraged me to open up my creativity. I remember that time being very happy, discovering colours, shapes and above all observing the nature around us. Those drawings of animals, houses by the mountains, the sunrise....It was a window to my freedom, to imagine a new world where everything could be possible and there were no limits to my imagination. It was a fantastic time.

Why did you choose to make fashion part of your inspiration?

I always knew I wanted to express myself artistically. I loved art, design, everything that surrounds creativity, that makes me feel alive and able to create a new world, a new space more open to innovation, to joy, to beauty. At the same time, fashion has always attracted me as a way of expressing myself, as another artistic manifestation. For me fashion means a lot, and it's not what you wear, it's what your clothes show you, what you want to say through them, and above all who you become in this process, it's like a fashion performance every time we decide on it. At this point, I realised that fashion gave me everything I needed to get inspiration, mixing beauty, body, emotions, attitude, colours, textures, and most important for me creating a unique atmosphere around it.

What is your particular working day as a creative?

I usually wake up early to find some time for myself where I can meditate, write and connect with myself so I can start the day focused. I research fashion and art for inspiration and do some sketches to let my imagination run wild, almost without thinking. While I draw I listen to music and sing, singing lifts me up and helps me get inspired to draw. I need to draw every day because when I do it I get to stop time and that feeling is unique.

I love the opportunity that illustration gives you to go into different fields, it's very exciting.

What tools do you use when creating your images?

In my illustrations I mainly use traditional techniques, although with some digital touches for the play of contrasts that it brings. I love the warmth of handmade things and I want those imperfections to remain in my drawings and be their essence.

I am very interested in portraits and also in those provocative and intriguing poses that capture unusual aspects of beauty, focusing above all on the gaze, on what it holds and transmits to us in a veiled way.

Who or what has influenced you over the years as an artist?

I love minimalism, and especially Bauhaus, its architecture and graphic design with clean lines, bright colours and selections. I am also very inspired by photography and its optical effects. In fashion photography, Paolo Roversi is a reference for me because of the beauty of his covers and the aura he manages to create in his work where he manages to convey more than just a mood.

While I draw I listen to music and sing, singing lifts me up and helps me get inspired to draw. I need to draw every day because when I do it I get to stop time and that feeling is unique.

I love the opportunity that illustration gives you to go into different fields, it's very exciting.

C.Montero

What advice do you have for younger artists looking to be part of this industry?

My message can only be one of enthusiasm, and to encourage others to reach for their dreams, to find their place and to develop themselves without limits or corsets, to dare to experiment, to try whatever it takes to find their voice, which will be unique and different from the rest. Because when you give yourself with authenticity everything is possible, doors open for you.

What are you drawing today? Music are you listening to? Books that you are reading? Favourite artist/designer at the moment?

I am currently working on portraits and new ways of integrating them with other arts. I find the interaction with other areas of design very interesting, I think it is very important to bring innovation to the world.

I love poetry and personal development books, instrumental music, female singers, soul, and also some rock and electronic music, especially when I want to dance hehe.

I admire Balenciaga and his delicacy and exquisiteness, as well as other contemporaries such as Simone Rocha, Schiaparelli, J. W. Anderson, Palomo Spain and Phoebe English.

In the world of fashion illustration, Cecilia Carlstedt and Richard Kikroy are a benchmark to follow for the stunning work they offer.

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