ART SCHOOL | Q&A WITH FRIDA KADAVRE
Mexico City based artist Frida Kadavre’s drawings are inspired by folktales, cinema, and her love of symbology, mysticism and her own imaginary dreamscapes. Frida’s sketchbooks are filled with her own interpretation of these elements, often drawn in graphite and pen with watercolor. Find out more about Frida, her drawings and what inspires her by taking the leap below!
Photographs by Eddie Mortem
Please introduce yourself to everyone? My name is Frida Kadavre. I chose that last name because I think it sounds like a magician’s pseudonym. I’m an illustrator and maker living in Mexico City. I love cinema, hanging out with imaginary beings, and coffee.
How would you describe your work to someone who isn’t familiar with it? What would you say your art is about? Basically it’s about sharing dreams and worlds I’d like to inhabit, places where magical creatures, innocent children and oneiric demons can go on unexpected adventures together. In my work, you’ll also frequently find mystical characters who tell stories through the symbology on their clothes and belongings.
You recently did a series for FolkTale week, can you tells us a little bit about how this pushed your art in a different direction or what kind of interesting folktales did you discover along the way. I’ve always had a fascination for folktales–mostly because I love the way they mix bleak elements with fantastical ones. In this occasion, I chose to only use the concept of the folktale to create characters of my own, using an aesthetic that is inspired by tales I like, but without referencing any of them directly.
How did you first start drawing and what is your process like when you are sketching or creating a new piece? I’ve drawn since I was little. It’s always been something essential to me (If I don’t draw, I don’t exist). When I’m about to start a new piece, I try to get surrounded by things that inspire me and push my creativity. They can be books, objects or even movies. Then I doodle the elements that will integrate the final piece and spend a good amount of time selecting the color palette I’ll use. Other times I prefer to turn to spontaneity, letting myself get carried by my instincts and skipping the whole planning phase.
Who were some artists that influenced or that you looked up too? First of all, my husband Eddie Mortem, who is also an illustrator and whose creations always inspire me to create. Cinema has been one of my main influences, specially the work of filmmakers like George Méliès, Guillermo del Toro, David Lynch, Jans Svankmajer and Stanley Kubrick, but also the work of painters like Remedios Varo, Leonora Carrington and Hieronymus Bosch.
Where did you learn your knowledge of art or making art? Art School or Self taught? What’s something you’ve taught yourself in regards to art? It was a mixture of both ‘cause, even though I did study in an art school, most of what I do today I’ve had to figure it out by myself. One of the things I’ve learned on my own is the creation of art toys.
Do you have a favorite piece you’ve made? And why? Where is it now? I’d say one of my favorites has been the Latin American tour poster Eddie and I made for our favorite band, Arcade Fire. Despite making it during a strange and even painful moment in our lives, I preserve beautiful memories of the process and the satisfaction of seeing the finished piece, which we currently keep in our study.
What are your go to art materials? Is there a medium you’d like to try that you haven’t yet? They used to be watercolors, but lately they are graphite and markers. I’d like to experiment with gouache in a near future.
If you could own any piece of art in the world, what would that be? I’d love to own “The Garden of Earthly Delights” by Hieronymus Bosch or Remedios Varo’s “Huntress of Stars.”
We gotta ask ya what are your FAVORITE Vans? There are many I love, like the recent NASA models, but my favorites are the Star Wars Authentic with the planet Hoth pattern.
If someone were visiting your city, what five things would you recommend they go check out? I’d recommend visiting the city’s colorful downtown, “The Desert of the Lions” park, the Santa María la Ribera neighborhood, the Modern Art Museum and the “CinetecaNacional.”
Finally, what advice would you give folks who are interesting in drawing and becoming an artist? I’d advice them to imagine and create as often as they can, for perseverance is necessary to succeed in this field, and to find a voice of their own while respecting everyone else’s voice.
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