ELLE
Mixed media (embroidery and digital)
2014
Briefly describe the work you do.
I am lucky to say that my job is drawing.
I am really into the human being as a form and matter, the human body and anatomy; its perfection and its distortion. It is my main interest as a subject because it is infinite, there will always be a different approach to represent it. I have been able to experiment with many different mediums and techniques but definitely I enjoy mostly the simplicity of the black ink along with the needle and thread. Embroidery gives me a special intimacy between me and my pieces.
Tell us about your background and how that has had an influence on your work and on you as an artist.
My brother is a visual artist too. He is six years older than me so I grew up watching him painting and drawing and being surrounded by art books. I suppose my interest in art started because of him.
The concept of the artist studio has a broad range of meanings in contemporary practice. Artists may spend much of their time in the actual studio, or they may spend very little time in it. Tell us about your individual studio practice and how it differs from or is the same as traditional notions of “being in the studio.”
I do have a place at home with a working table, good lighting and all my tools, however my practice doesn´t necessarily come about there. It is weird but my job is also one of my leisure activities, so I can do it anywhere as long as I have some paper and ink.
BIGIDIRI ZINIA
Mixed media (ink on papel + digital)
2014
What roles do you find yourself playing that you may not have envisioned yourself in when you first started making art?
Self-promotion is crucial, but definitely much more fun than accounting.
When do you find it is the best time to make art? Do you set aside a specific time every day or do you have to work whenever time allows?
Ideas come up whenever they want, nevertheless I feel much more productive when I start working early in the morning.
How has your work changed in the past five years? How is it the same?
Not only my work has changed in the past years, but also my whole life. I like to think that everything I have been through and everything I have seen shows up one way or another on my production. One of the priorities in my life has been to see the world, I always say that if we are in this planet is to see it, so traveling is very important for me and I try my best to keep doing it. Watching other cultures and learning about them has positively changed my perception and it definitely has reflected on my artistic labor. Technically I feel I have established my own style but one thing is for sure, this job is about continuously evolving.
QUE PASO FRANCIS
Ink on paper
2014
How have people such as family, friends, writers, philosophers, other artists or even pop icons had an impact on the work you do?
Everything around us becomes an influence in some way. Constant reading and observing is important, as well as knowing when to disconnect and focus on other things. Besides, I love Francis Bacon and enjoy working while Björk sings.
Have you ever been pulled in the direction of a pursuit other than being an artist? What are your other interests?
Somewhere in the middle of my career I was about to quit to become an archaeologist (my childhood´s dream job) but it was only a fleeting desire mixed of some frustration and fear. I am truly happy with what I do now.
I work as a model as well.
About
Jimena Moreno (1989) is a freelance illustrator and artist, graduated from the Faculty of Arts and Design at UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México), with a diploma in Artistic Anatomy. Her work is inspired by the forms of nature, the human body and the woman. She enjoys working with black indian ink and sometimes a touch of colour. Embroidery has slowly become her favourite modus operandi, giving favorable results to her work. Currently, she lives in Mexico City and is a colaborator with both mexican and international publications.
All images copyright of the artist and used with their permission.
365 Artists | 365 Days 