Veerle's blog

Marjorie Ann Vélezis a 31 year old Puerto Rican freelance illustrator born and living in Puerto Rico, a Caribbean island. Her first language is Spanish. The elements of nature, freedom, magic, daily life experiences and innocence of children feed her imagination; they are all sources of inspiration. She illustrated primary school textbooks and greeting cards. She also recently started working on what it will be her first of two children's books to be published. Majorie loves to share quality time with friends. She believes there is no better place to balance your energies like breathing salty humid air by the beach. Marjorie also has a blog: www.majeakann.com something she refers to as one of the best things I've ever decided to do.

Marjorie's work makes me daydream about my childhood. I am also in awe of people who can hold on to the childhood. She translates this feeling so well in her art, in her use of colors, especially the magenta pink accents which sets her style apart from others. It fascinates me how she finds the balance so well between a drawing in a style as if it was made by a child and the finesse and skills of a mature true artist.

Your art seems like to tell a story each time. Do you have the story in your head first or does it come gradually when you start illustrating?

I would say both things could come first. I often create characters placing them in a seen place. I mostly create atmospheres incorporating nature and sometimes as a second character. Nature is a very important element in my creation not only because of its beauty and energy but because of this feeling cause-effect in us, which inspires me to write. Creating magical and whimsical scenes along with some cute or sweet characters are the essence of my work and this is also when a little story arises. This is a way where an illustration transforms my illusions into reality therefore a story. Sometimes my dreams reveal me surreal places, unimaginable places, never seen with my eyes, but that my subconscious might have seen. Some of these places are also present in my illustrations and stories mostly in a very symbolic way. But I have to say, I wish I could have dreams like these every night! My art represent my life somehow, like a storytelling, it's sort of like an autobiography.

What interests you most in an illustration?

Personal experiences and interpretations at different levels of emotion interest me the most. The illustrations not only tell a story or communicate something, but you can be identified by it. It's very rewarding when someone tells you: "Hey! Thanks for making me smile" or "You brought me memories of my childhood"... "I know how you are feeling today". When I design an illustration; my emotions are taking a big role in it. I am usually describing a very important stage of my life. Do you know what I really enjoy? When the people come up with their own even funniest interpretations from an illustration that is suppose to be simply funny. When that happens is when I know my intention has taken a different unexpected twist. And I love that even more.

Any insights in your creative process?

for example: Some of your illustrations have a very saturated pink and aqua blue color, though they look like they're made with water color which normally gives pastel colors as a result. Do you use Photoshop or any other computer application to give your illustrations this burned effect?

:o) I have a little trick to saturate pinks. Usually watercolors normally gives soft colors as a result, like you said, but when I mix watercolor with concentrated (medium viscosity) acrylic fluorescent pink or red this cause a cracked almost burned effect, because acrylics dries first .I haven’t found (yet) a pink-to-red range (including scarlet lake and permanent rose) watercolor tube able to brings me this saturation, (not that I know anyway! :o)!). For the aqua blues I have no problem. Usually manganese blue and cobalt blue light (because of its purity) stay brilliant when they dry, hence the result. In my case Photoshop is able to achieve the desired contrast, especially if there were shadows present in the design when I scanned it.

What medium would you like to illustrate most?

Doodles comes first (I use pencil or red ink pens), some of them become into sketches. Depending on the subject, final sketches are finalized with watercolors, acrylics or digital (playing with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and Wacom tablet pad.) I love to paint in watercolor (although I have to admit 5 years ago I was afraid of it).It turned out to be one of my favorite mediums because of its "soft pastel-chalk" effect as a result. With watercolors you can paint quickly but you need to be cautious because is "one way ticket" not like acrylics or digitals, you can always come back and fix it by painting it over.

How much influence does the internet have in your life as an illustrator?

Oh wow…the internet: "The Golden Door". When you open it you face new chances, new friends, new people, different ways of thinking, different cultures, people who inspire you, influences, new opportunities, great tools for promotion, good stories and not so good but always try on focusing on the positive things. The whole universe concentrated in a screen in front of you. I can't deny it; it has helped me to GROW, it has helped me to develop myself artistically, to become a better person. Having a weblog has been one of the most important steps I’ve taken in my personal journey as an illustrator.

More examples in Marjorie Ann Vélez's blog and on her Flickr account.