Artist Spotlight: Blanca Gómez

Next in our quick series of Artist Spotlights: illustrator, Blanca Gómez! Blanca has been a part of the Red Cap family for quite a while, and we love her happy, minimalist, colorful illustrations. Hailing from Madrid, Spain, Blanca uses bright shapes and clean lines. We loved being able to have a little chat with her about what inspires her work, where she would like to travel and her plans for future projects. View her new(!) and old designs for Red Cap here or check out her website, here.

Tell us a little bit about yourself. Did you always want to be an illustrator?
Hello! My name is Blanca, I'm from Madrid and I'm an Illustrator. When I was a child I didn't know one could be a professional illustrator, so when I was asked I used to say I wanted to be a painter. Just to say something, to be true. When I grew up and after a lot of drifting I ended up being a graphic designer. Some more drifting and I reinvented myself as illustrator, and I hope to stay as one.

What is it like living and working in Spain?
I have been living here all my life, except for some breaks, so I guess it isn't that bad. Here in Madrid almost everyone of us has a love/hate relationship with the city, but in my case I think love is finally winning. It may be a cliché but what I like about Madrid is that being a big city, it still feels like a small town; I'm a city rat, but yet I enjoy that simpler, slower life, so to speak. While I physically work here, I don't consider I work in Spain, given that the 99% of my workload is for clients abroad (luckily!) There's always exceptions, but by my limited experience and what my friends and fellow Illustrators say, we still have a long road ahead.

Do you gather inspiration from your environment? What else inspires you?
I'm not really conscious, but inevitably my environment inspires me, I'm sure; everything I like sticks in my head one way or another, and reflects when it is time to work. Because (I always say this but is true nonetheless) there is no inspiration without work. I'm a great believer in randomness during the creative process. I have started with pottery a short while ago, and I'm really enjoying it, so I think it will reflect in my work somehow.

What is your favorite medium to work with?
I'm not an expert in any medium, so I guess I don't have a favorite one. I like mixing and discovering new ways to make things, without an elaborate technique. Lately I like working with collage, inks and pencils.

What is your favorite piece you have ever created?
It's yet to come (or I really hope so! 😉 I'm very happy with the kids book I just finished, Dear Bunny, but I'm still learning, step by step.

What about your favorite Red Cap Card?
Hmm, this is a tough one. I think one of the first or one of the last. Ok, I'll choose one of the last I made. I like the Present Truck, I don't know why, but a truck full of presents is always a win, I think.

If you could work in your dream job (other than what you are doing now) what would it be?
Children book author 😉

Any artists or designers you really look up to and why?
Lowry, he is a painter that reminds of an illustrator. I think I've been inspired lately by his landscapes full of little people. A short while ago I discovered a Japanese artist, Aoki Tetsuo, who works with woodblock. I'm also fascinated lately by the work of Roman Muradov, mostly his inks. I must be in a somewhat dark period. I could keep going forever… so to finish, I will say I like many of the artists from Red Cap Cards, like Christian Robinson (he is pure joy!) or Jon Klassen, or a thousand more.

Favorite meal or drink?
I could never say no to a good pasta, a steak tartare or my mother's meatballs and croquettes, accompanied with red wine.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? 
Argh! I'm not really answering any question :D! I don't know, there's still a big world for me to discover. I worked abroad once, I went to Berlin for a month and a half, but I came back. I would like to live for a while in Lisbon… which is also close by. I have this fantasy about traveling around the world, working and living in different places. My mother decided to go to London for a very long time when she was sixty, so there's still hope for me!

Are there any new/current/upcoming projects you would like to share with us?
Lately I've been illustrating children books mostly. I've been illustrating one for the US, one for the UK and I have collaborated in a third, and they will all be out in the next months. Right now I'm illustrating another book for the UK, but this time is a completely different thing, it is not a book for children. When I find some time and energy, I want to start illustrating my own story. It's already written, and patiently waiting in the desk drawer. It's a hard step for me. And spring is almost here, so I project to plant a new vegetable garden in my terrace, and watch the flowers blossom.

Images courtesy Blanca Gómez