Be sure to checkout Lara's recent project "Bloom"
Lara Gomez is a graphic artist from Zaragoza, Spain. She began her formal art training in interior design then gravitated towards graphic design over the years.
The Spanish artist's art often resembles themes that are a combination of nature and femininity. She works on her visual pieces experimenting with different languages and concepts through illustrations and letters (including typography, and mural art).
In regards to becoming an ECP-FG member, Lara says, "Europe is an open source to share, learn, and accept our different life experiences, identities, and ways of being without barriers".
A single image can make people question their beliefs, engage conversations and take actions within the community. Or maybe it just brings people joy, which is not something to take for granted - ever." - Lara Gomez
We interviewed Lara last weekend about her journey on becoming a graphic artist, how she portrays her message, and thoughts on art during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Interview
By starting, how did you become involved in graphic design?
There are two things I remember doing as a very shy and introvert kid: drawing and reading. I would draw very tiny and detailed characters and think about their personal background; in a way I was creating a story inside my head. I also read anything and everything I had around me, analyzing unconsciously the way text was distributed on pages.
I was interested in different creative fields: photography, graffiti, architecture.., etc. I was driven by how things are created from scratch, and the possibility of mixing everything together and see how it could affect people's behavior.
Although you were always a creative figure, did you have any formal training?
I have a formal education in art and design. I actually started studying interior design, although my main goal was graphic design since the beginning. But I wanted to combine both subjects in the future and earn some work experience beforehand. However I lost interest by the end of the course and I focused on graphic design.
What services do you typically provide?
I am involved in design commissions and consultation for small businesses and bigger
projects like cover artworks and publicity campaigns for musicians. I'm looking forward
to collaborating with different artists around the world and organizations who want to take
action on social and environmental matters.
Lately I have been accidentally absorbed by my own illustration work and experimenting a lot with it - I have even set up my own online print and other goodies shop, let's see where it goes! Link: shop.laranoia.com
What are the main themes that usually surround your works?
My art is a combination of femininity, nature and messages. I like to capture moments and express ideas and emotions, everything is ephemeral somehow.
"My art is a combination of femininity, nature and messages. I like to capture moments and express ideas and emotions, everything is ephemeral somehow."
On your website, you often use GIFs or short videos showcasing the creation of your work. Do you ever create tutorials?
I prefer to call them "Works in progress" instead of tutorials because I think those are way more technical. The way I work might be too playful or instinctive for that, but you can truly learn a lot by just seeing how other people create their pieces or even observing your own processes.
I also think it is interesting for the people you can work with/for to show how you do things.
Are you paid to create particular commissions or are you trusted to come up with a concept fitting the clients demands?
It really depends, although in both cases the goal is finding a solution and meeting their needs. When you work as an in-house designer for a company you are given (please!) certain defined and effective rules to work with, so initially your starting point for any project is already set and more restricted. Working with individual clients means taking more way more things into consideration, listening and observing; sometimes they can already have some requirements but others they need more direction. I like to listen to their stories, learn about their references, customers, ideals... discuss about what could work and maybe bringing a new perspective.
Can you tell me a bit more about the different projects you work on (both personal and commissioned) and describe the creative process for both?
For client work, it is always a matter of having a honest conversation to know their taste and preferences, what they would like to communicate and how to work around that. When it comes to personal work, I'm often inspired by words and images... I can play with their meaning and twist it; or I can listen to a song and get a verse stuck in my head which will eventually turn into an image in my mind; or maybe I see something that leads me to think of something else... Let ideas flow.
Could you name two of pieces you are most proud of?
Ecomar
I have a couple of commissioned works that I really love because of what they mean for me and the clients. But I have decided to pick up these two because they are both being used to raise funds for national charity organizations. This first was a creation that was part of an illustrators challenge on social media. It was a collaboration with Fundación Ecomar;their activity is focused on taking care of the seas and coasts as well as working with the youth through water sports and workshops.
Just Breathe
The second was done during the first week of the quarantine here in Spain. Everyone was either complaining for not being able to go out or worried about the pandemic situation. So, this piece was a friendly reminder to stay calm. It will be auctioned among other local artists's works to help the Regional Home workers Association.
Are there particular artists and designers that have influenced your taste? If you could collaborate with one, who would it be and what would you work on? I have too many! I think everyone and everything can be a nice influence. I love Polish and Swiss use of typography, Spanish poster/graphic art, lettering and calligraphy, the delicacy of art nouveau or the atmospheres created by pre-raphaelites... Imagine being able just to watch Mucha, Lautrec, Waterhouse, Renau, Lubalin... working? Amazing!
But since we can't go back in time, I would like to work on editorial pieces whether it is for press or for writers, because I haven't done anything like that yet. Of course, I would be happy collaborating with fellow artists friends working in murals, creating stories or doing anything creative - really.
Amidst all the chaos in COVID-19 how has the pandemic affected your work and career as an artist, how has it affected your creative side?
I must admit I'm feeling some kind of comfort during this isolation time and I am afraid of going out to the world and experience the new "normality"(laughs) because right now I have the time to focus on myself and my work - which is something I can't have due to my day job.
However I am affected by how people around me are feeling and express their anxiety, their fears, the apathy and boredom... We are all intrigued and (over)thinking about what will change: not only work and health wise, but also our when it comes to our behavior and relationships.
Lara offers her graphic design prints on her online shop at https://shop.laranoia.com/index.php
What are your ideas on how art can achieve more peace and understanding in the world, especially during uncertain times?
Art can be the reflection of society and raise awareness about infinite subjects: nature and environment, social and work-related issues, technology, science and education... it can really make an impact in the way we think and behave around those issues. A single image can make people question their beliefs, engage conversations and take actions within the community. Or maybe it just brings people joy, which is not something to take for granted - ever.
Thank you so much for your time. For some last words, what are you looking to achieve with your art?
If I can make people stop to look and feel connected with themselves and their feelings...
that's what means the most for me. And if I can spread positivity, beauty and awareness
anywhere in the world, even better!
To see more of Lara's art work, please check out her channels and shop her prints online.
Website: www.laranoia.com Shop: shop.laranoia.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/laranoiaetc Facebook: www.facebook.com/laranoia
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