Spanish illustrator Oscar Gimenez was almost an illustrator by default. Both his father and uncle were graphic designers/illustrators and worked at home, so he grew up watching them work in ink and paint, photolithographs and tight deadlines.

He admits always loving to draw. Nowadays, his work is represented in Spain, France, the UK and the USA and he’s so in demand he’s even been asked to create a new cover for the Bible by a Spanish publishing company. Art Nouveau interviews Gimenez on his work, his influences and the business of illustration.

Art Nouveau Magazine: How are you?
OG: Fine, thanks. Just came back from a refreshing trip to Berlin. Amazing city. It got me in a very good mood, eager to do lots of new things.

ANM: Describe your work to someone who has never seen it.
OG: It’s contemporary, colourful, positive, unpretentious and, hopefully and most important, fun to look at.

ANM: You used to think of drawing and painting as just a hobby. Why is that?
OG: My dad was a graphic artist and used to work at home. I grew up in an unhealthy -but exciting- atmosphere of tight deadlines, late nights, and economic unestability. I absolutely loved drawing since I was a kid but the situation at home was all too much for me and when I got older I decided to try a different path. I was good at languages so I started studying translation in English and German. I never finished my degree but I became a language teacher and translator anyways. Halfway through my career I started drawing and painting again as a hobby. I just couldn´t help it, I needed to do it, and eventually became the only thing that made me genuinely happy. So I decided to give it a go. And it worked. No regrets since then.

ANM: When did you know you were an artist?
OG: I guess I always knew and, at the same time, I never knew. Let me explain. Being something you just can´t help doing, there´s never a pivotal moment when it all becomes clear. It´s always there, sometimes hidden or denied, but always there. At least that´s how it´s always been for me. No matter what I´ve tried, it´s like I was meant to do what I´m doing. I know there are far better artists than me out there, but I´m happy in my corner of the world exploring my own limits. I think we all are meant to do something in particular, for which we are specifically skilled and which make us content and partially complete. We don´t even need to excel at it, just need to find out what it is.

ANM: Who are some artists that influence you?
OG: Lately I´m absolutely fascinated by posters artists from the 1960s and 1970s. I love how poster art can be so synthetic, direct, skillful and clever. I also love artists who can really draw. I think James Jean is one our contemporary geniuses. I also like Tomer Hanuka, Ashley Wood, Richard Wilkinson, Will Eisner, Daniel Egneus, John Solimine, Parra and many others. I´ve always liked renewing the way I look at my art and feeling my style is developing and taking me somewhere new and unexplored, so they all influence me in one way or the other.

ANM: How has the internet changed the business of illustration?
OG: I just don´t know how I would have done it without it! It has clearly broken boundaries and, in my case, allowed me to work with international clients. It has also given me the chance to discover lots of new and amazing artists and made contact amongst us easier.  Internet is a wonderful and powerful tool if you know how to use it.

ANM: You studied translation, Tell me about that? How does that help your work?
OG: As I explained before, I did it as a diversion of my real path. It has actually helped me a lot. On one hand, it drove me to travel and live abroad, something I´d advice to anyone wanting to broaden their mind. On the other hand, it has helped to easily communicate with clients from other countries.

ANM: What’s next for you?
OG: I´ve designing a new cover for the Bible! No kidding, a Spanish publishing company is trying to modernize its image. Being an atheist myself, I find it all quite exciting. I´d also love to do some personal work soon, even plan a solo exhibition. Or that´s what I´ve been telling myself for the last 5 years.

ANM: Is there anything else you’d like to mention?
OG: I´ve been doing stretchings for the last 3 motnhs and I can finally touch my feet with my fingertips -legs totally straight, in case you are wondering-. I´m so proud!

For everything Oscar Gimenez click here.