Interview
Eva Hidalgo
Eva is an acrylic artist born in 1976, in Granada, Spain, and grew up in Geneva, Switzerland. Her work is often characterized by expressive characters and bold colors, leaving the viewer wanting to know, and see, more.
In 1994, Eva graduated from the Instituto de Bachillerato Padre Suarez in Granada. From there, she went on to study Graphic Design in Madrid, Spain, and Preston, England. She graduated with a BA (Hons) in Graphic Design at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston in the year 2000.
Since 2003, Eva has been employed as a graphic designer in Munich, Germany, where she recently began her work as a professional freelance artist and illustrator. She has been widely received as a world class artist, with her work being showcased everywhere from Germany, to Switzerland, Spain, Italy and the USA.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“When I saw a Manga cartoon for the first time as a child, I knew that I would dedicate myself to drawing or painting. I was born in Spain (Granada), but grew up in Genève, and later, as an adult, fell in love in and with Madrid. I went on to study graphic design in England and live as a freelance artist in Germany.”
What inspires you most?
“What inspires me are manga characters, full of life, feelings and expression. Each character, a piece of art! I am also inspired by nature, color, light and children's creativity. I tend to look for inspiration within myself.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“My main theme is women. I suppose that in each work, a small part of myself is unintentionally reflected. Sometimes fragile, sometimes incredibly strong. Or sometimes just cool and relaxed.”
“Above all, I wish to touch people emotionally with my work without having to explain it. I hope that they feel the strength of my colors, the softness of my brush stroke, or that they experience the painting, its emotions and feelings, and fall in love with it.”
How would you describe your work?
“Impulsive, improvised, minimalist, modern and ‘manga expressionist’. I almost always represent an imaginary character. The character is filled with life, with the strength of the colors or with a soft stroke that outlines it. I intend to leave space for individual interpretation.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Not artists, but children and their way of capturing reality.”
What is your creative process like?
“My work is spontaneous and the outcome sometimes unpredictable. My ideas usually develop throughout the process. My work is finished when the character has something to tell or something to transmit.
In art, as in life, the less you expect from the result, the more it surprises you.”
What process, materials, techniques, etc., do you use to create your artwork?
“Multiple layers of paint. Acrylic because it is fast drying, and I am impatient. Again, and again, and again, more layers of paint! Some of my paintings have their importance in the brush stroke, and those are the only ones that might end up with only a little paint and a lot of strength in the brush stroke and technique.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“An artist is a person who believes in her or himself, dares to be authentic, and is following a dream - many times against all odds. They are the heroes of our times. Artists can help to fill our lives with creativity, emotions and inspiration.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“These are a few that come to mind:
— Exhibition at Buchheim Museum, Bernried, Germany
1st August - 07th November 2021. You can read more here.— Solo exhibition at the Thomson Gallery, Zug, Switzerland
12th November 2021-21st January 2022.— Stroke Art Fair 2019 and 2021, Munich, Germany.
— SWISS ART EXPO
The Art Festival, Zürich, Switzerland
25th-29th August 2021.”
