Raquel Martín // Illustrator // Menorca Spain

Raquel Martín is a freelance illustrator and artist from Barcelona, currently based in the beautiful and tiny island of Menorca. Often drawing from imagined scenes and landscapes, her work somehow creates a narrative through a uniquely minimalistic style that isn’t only beautiful, but also really fun.

Her work has appeared several different publications and magazines and she also makes illustrations for her own shop catalogue. You can check out more of her work at her website or her instagram.

(I also want to say a special thank you to Raquel for participating in English, which I believe, is actually at least her 4th language!)

1. I began my #CraftWithConscience series as a way to simultaneously promote the work of other makers and to discuss the complicated issues surrounding creative inspiration and developing ones’ own visual vocabulary. The internet is an ever growing fixture in many artist’s lives and businesses, could you talk about the role the internet plays in your artistic and professional life?

I think the internet is an undeniable tool for artists, full of visual inspiration (paintings, photos, color combinations...) However, I really think that all this information should be used to help us supplement what already comes from within, the most important and unique aspect of your work. It is the only way to keep your own identity.

2. Where do you find inspiration for your work? In what ways has the internet and/or social media impacted your design process?

I think inspiration comes from everywhere. I sometimes find inspiration from real life (I live in such a beautiful place!) but other times from magazines, photos....Even the work of other artists that I admire has inspired me in order to try different painting mediums or techniques.

3. Do you have any advice for aspiring artists or creative business people?

I suppose that some good advice would be to not to be afraid of taking the necessary time to find your own identity in your work. Searching yourself for what makes your work unique, I really think is the only way to get your work to be an honest reflection of yourself as an artist. I am still working on it...