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Alumni success ‘spotlight’ interview with Gabriela Larios

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We are so proud of our Make Art That Sells Alumni, that we are pleased to being a series of spotlight interviews showcasing their successes and artwork. We also ask them to share how the MATS courses have helped them learn and grow. You can see more Alumni Success stories here

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Profile-Gabriela-LariosToday, we have an interview with alumni Gabriela Larios. Gabriela has taken Bootcamp, MATS A and MATS Home Decor.

Tell us a little about how you got started in art and design
My name is Gabriela Larios, Salvadorean textile designer and illustrator based in London. My love of drawing, textiles and illustration began when I was little. It was my artistic mother who taught me the first lessons about colour palettes and its various combinations. She also introduced me to the world of watercolours, which is to this day one of my favourite techniques. Animals and fishes were one of my favourite subject matter and they are still very present among the things that spark my creativity.
After working a few years in graphic design and obtaining my arts degree in London, I realised that I had a passion for illustration, textiles, patterns and children’s books and continued honing my skills in these areas and working hard independently which is what I always wanted in order to have more flexibility between family and work.
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Lilla always says “People buy your joy.” What brings you joy?’
I love to be able to tell a story through my work, inspired by my lifelong fascination for picture books and the natural world. I enjoy being able to discover new ways of expressing my creativity and imagination through experimentation and the interesting things you find throughout the process when working on a new piece.
Which is your favorite market(s) to design for and why?
I like all the markets but my favourites are picture books, home decoration, gift-ware, wall art and
fabric. I like picture books because of the strong connection between the work I produce and memories of my childhood. I like home decoration and gift-ware because of the glorious three-dimensionality, shape and form the artworks achieve when applied on ceramics, fabric, metal or any other substrate. I love fabric because it helps to make our lives more colourful and fun. Fabric is a very functional and tactile piece of art that enhances our homes and lives.
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What are you working on currently?
I just finished MATS Home decor course and I am just about to start working on new S/S 2017 prints collections for potential use on children’s wear.
What are some of the key things you have learnt from the MATS experience?
The different ways in which industries work among the various markets like wall art, fabric, picture books, etc and the qualities and type of artworks each and every market is looking for.  Your values are expressed on the pieces you produce and the type of clients it will attract.
How have the classes helped your artwork evolve /grow?
It has helped me to dedicate precious time on producing new body of work applied on to products I wouldn’t otherwise think of, due to lack of time, etc. Sometimes you know you have the capabilities of producing a specific type of work but you need to show this in your portfolio so that potential clients know what to expect from you when thinking of working with new artists.
I have a natural inclination for constant growth and experimentation. I believe profoundly in the fact that art is a never ending path of discovery, constant learning, experimentation and evolution – no matter what stage of your art career you are at.
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Any aha moments during MATS you would like to share?
Especially during MATS A I was able to explore new techniques which I have been able to incorporate in my creative process and style.
What are your key successes since taking a MATS class?
One of the pieces created for MATS A was awarded an Honourable Mention by 3×3 Illustration Awards. (I have had the honour of having work selected in two consecutive years). One of the pieces created for MATS A was among the selection of artworks to be published in the upcoming Print & Pattern Nature book.  MATS has enriched my portfolio and it has helped me to get out of my comfort zone in regards to subject matter I normally draw.
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How would you describe taking a MATS class to a fellow artist looking to develop their art?
I strongly recommend the courses if you want to produce work within some of the markets covered in MATS. You receive insightful, valuable knowledge to present your pieces in the most professional, creative and marketable way. For some reason I used to sustain a bit of scepticism towards the concept of ‘commercial or sellable art’ but this doesn’t mean low quality or selling out.
What is your dream gig for your artwork?
I would love to make a picture book in collaboration with a children’s book publisher, one that could lead to other potential projects in this market and I would also love to produce a collection of bedding and home decor products in collaboration with a home-wares company.
See more of Gabriela’s work here: Website | Blog | Facebook | Instagram

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Would you like to Make Art That Sells?
We have the following courses currently open for registration HERE!
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If you want to learn exactly what to put in your artwork to make killer portfolio pieces while staying true to your style and taste, MATS A and B is for you. Graduates of these courses have gone on to win work from clients such as Hallmark, Robert Kaufman Fabrics, Oopsy Daisy, Uppercase Magazine, West Elm, Midwest CBK, and more. It is industry learning that works in the real world. These comprehensive courses includes access to videos of Lilla Rogers reviewing over 500 pieces of art.
Both MATS A and MATS B are open for registration, you can join anytime as they are self-paced.

Want a piece of the $60 Billion Home Decor industry?

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What is home décor? It’s all the gorgeous and/or functional items in your house. It’s a booming market that needs tons of art, with over $60 billion in annual sales. Its massive growth is due in part to the popularity of home design TV shows, Pinterest, and Instagram, and stylish online retailers like One Kings Lane and Dot&Bo.

Art directors NEED your great art!

Our next live e-course, Make Art That Sells: Creating Collections for Home Décor starts May 16 and teaches you everything you need to know to create killer presentations with your art. Registration is open and we look forward to seeing your gorgeous designs.

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