México and the things that create the feeling of being on vacation.
Originally, I went to Mexico City to visit my family for one week only because I had a lot of work—still do. But I wanted to do more things, and I ended up staying the whole month.
El Tianguis (the market), 2024
So, on the list of [03] Things that create the feeling of being on vacation (when I definitely was not) are:
Eating like a queen (enchiladas, tacos, and comida de mi abue), shopping with my mom, sleeping, celebrating the graduation of the three youngest cousins in the family, doing a puzzle, visiting my older brother’s soccer players exhibition, watching movies with my younger brother during his recovery from surgery, spending more time with my cousins, drinking wine with my Book Club friends and my thesis advisor, painting non-work-related things with a friend, visiting Mexico’s Chinatown and the market (tianguis) with my boyfriend, spending time with my uncle and my dogs, helping my mom make little presents.
I didn’t have much time to draw. Despite that, and how it made me feel (stressed as hell), I was still somehow productive: I had my very first editorial meeting as an official picture book illustrator!
Andrea, Christel & me.
I met Andrea, the editor of Editorial Cayuco, and Christel, the author of the book I’m currently working on called Las fotos de Murci (Murci’s Photos), which is going to be published in Mexico next year.
In this first meeting, I showed them the storyboard, discussed it, and made some changes. The editor mentioned that it’s not common to invite the author to this kind of meeting. Sometimes, the author doesn’t even see the illustrations or know who the illustrator is before the book is published. Crazy, right?
Storyboard and notes.
As an illustrator, having this kind of contact with the author, listening to her ideas, and going through every page of the book together become essential parts of the creative process. I’ve discovered that making a book entails teamwork and I love that, especially since I’ve always worked by myself.
When you’re a freelancer, you become every department a company needs: marketing, graphic design, logistics, public relations and, unfortunately, accounting. It’s also hard to critique your own work, to see it from others’ perspectives, and make final decisions. So, working with others on a big project is quite relieving—and yet exciting.
I love Mexico City—its people, culture, and food. It always inspires me. I regret I couldn’t draw as much as I would’ve liked to, so allow me this once to overuse my archive. I’ve drawn this city for many years. Here’s a little collection of some illustrations I’ve created since I began painting.
On another note, I’m thinking of creating a Patreon where I can talk about my creative processes: the making of a picture book, share insights from meetings, tips, and mishaps, and show you some content I can’t share before the book is published. Tell me what you think in the comments below, or let me know if there’s something else you’d like to know about my work.
Thank you for being here!
Until next time,
JJ.
