Welcome to my
monthly interview feature! I’m so excited to be interviewing all the fabulous
artists, illustrators and designers I’ve meet over the years (both personally
and virtually!) and sharing their artwork and experiences here on Bird Meets
Worm. Look for a new interview on the first Tuesday of every month. (BTW Happy Summer to ya’ll! Just a quick
note to let you know we’ll be taking a mini break from our artist interview
feature in July, but will be back in August!)
This
month I’m thrilled to be catching up with the gorgeous Illustrator, Nivea
Ortiz! I am a huge admirer of her beautiful, energetic artwork! Nivea is a
native of San Juan, Puerto Rico. She earned her BFA in Illustration at the
Pratt Institute in NYC and began her career in her home country at the leading
newspaper El Nuevo Dia. She has a thriving illustration career creating editorial
and fashion illustrations as well as illustrating children’s books. You can view more of her artwork here!
 |
| How fabulous is she?! I'd totally love to gossip with her over tea & cake! |
Q: I absolutely ADORE the bold colors, graphic shapes
and gestural, flowing lines in your artwork!! Dish with us about your creative
process: ideas, sketches, mediums, technique, finished art style—you know, all
the good stuff!!
A: Thanks! I enjoy painting
with water mediums like watercolor, gouache and ink. Painting with ink is great
because it is spontaneous, fast and immediate. You have almost no control and
the results are amazing. I feel very comfortable with the medium, particularly
for personal work. I enjoy doodling, exploring and playing with different pens
and brushes. The bamboo pen is my favorite, because I get interesting gestural
lines, and for that very reason, I use it more in my personal pieces.
 |
| Love, Love, Love! |
Q: You live in Puerto Rico and studied art in New
York. How have both of these very distinctive places influenced and inspired
your artwork?
A: I loved studying in NY.
It is a unique place where you see everything and are exposed to a thousand
different things and styles. There is inspiration everywhere. I studied fashion
design in my first year of college. Then I changed my concentration to
illustration, but fashion design is still present in my work.
My first job in PR was as an
editorial illustrator in the main newspaper of the island. It was great
training. I illustrated all kinds of different subjects like Travel, Health,
Fashion, Culture and everything was rush. I think that's why I'm good at drawing
fast and capturing the essence of things.
The island has a strong influence on my
work. It is an eternal summer. You can
see its influence on the colors that I like to use. They are warm, happy and as
intense as the Caribbean people. The vivid colors of
nature, the incredible blue sky, the turquoise sea, the afternoon light
manifests in my palette.
 |
| Calling all dance lovers—this books is so totally for you! |
A: Roselyn Sanchez and Eric
Winter had this idea some time ago and told me about it. I really liked it, and
finally, it came to be at the perfect time. Working with the art director and
the whole team was great and enjoyable. Everything went smooth and well.
Creating the characters and the design took time and many sketches, but once it
was all approved and Sebi’s world was created, it was easy and fun. Collaborating
with Penguin Random House is a dream come true for me.
 |
| Sweet, fun, friendly and absolutely smile-worthy!!! |
A: One of my favorite past
projects is The Mall of San Juan mural. I had to create an illustration for a
digital mural to be displayed in the mall. The theme was Mi San Juan, “What San
Juan means to me”. It measures 30
feet x 14 feet. I liked it, because it was the first time I saw my art on such
a large scale. Every time I go shopping and walk by it, I smile.
From the present, I’ll say
my recent children’s book La Maravillosa
Visita del Calzadísimo Extranjero / University of Puerto Rico Press,
because the communication with the editor and the author was excellent. They
respected my style and gave me total visual freedom. I had a blast illustrating
the story!
 |
| Who loves you? Mama does! XO |
A: I’m a morning person, so I wake up
early to draw. A cup of strong coffee is a must! Usually I go outside to feed
the wild birds. It fills me with joy. Then the drawing starts. My workspace is
usually messy. Gouache, ink and papers are everywhere on my drawing table. I always
have music on, and I just go with the flow.
If it’s a project for a client, I will
do some research about the subject, but not too much, because I like to keep
the images fresh and want to capture the essence of things. Aiming to translate
reality into my particular creative language, I like to start with some loose
sketches, pick the more effective ones and then work over them in Photoshop. If
it’s personal work, everything is more relaxed—a fun journey of exploration.
Looking at other artist’s work enriches
and inspires me, too. It makes me want to work harder and see what else can I
create. Often times I surprise myself! It’s happening now that I’m exploring
abstract painting.
 |
| Colorful kings are "celebration" personified! |
A: Starts early in the morning, kayaking
at La Laguna del Condado / The Condado Lagoon. I really enjoy it. Being in the
water relaxes me and nourishes my creativity. I love to observe nature, calmly
strolling along in a kayak makes you feel closer to it. The best part is
spotting manatees, turtles and rays swimming by your side. The Caribbean is a
treasure.
Thank you very much for inviting me!
Thank
YOU, Nivea, for chatting it up with us here at Bird Meets Worm! We love your artwork!
(Psst! Bonus news: Bird Meets Worm is
debuting a NEW diverse children’s book review feature later this month!! Look
for it on Wednesday, June 14th!)