Interview with Marcos Cabrera
Illustrator Marcos Cabrera was born and raised in Tenerife, Canary Islands Spain and living in Barcelona for the past 8 years. Marcos like to design posters, art prints, album art full of unusual imagery with a penchant for monsters and the macabre.
HMA: Thanks for joining Heavy Music Artwork with this interview.
Marcos Cabrera: Thanks for the opportunity of interviewing with you. I really enjoy your cool site and am happy to be involved!
HMA: First off, how did you start working as an illustrator? What motivated you and inspired you to become one?
Marcos Cabrera: Since I can remember, I always used to have a pencil in my hands and I think I became a professional illustrator about 12 or 15 years ago with some small projects for a few bands and little skateboards brands.
During high school, I wasn’t the best student, I use to spend all my time drawing on my schoolbooks, my desk… then, during my final years of high school, I decided to continue studying and pursue a Fine Arts degree in Tenerife and find a way to earn my living and my live my dream.
HMA: You client base is really impressive, how do manage to stay on top of the game and deliver great work every time and on time?
Marcos Cabrera: I try to do my best on each project and I really enjoy drawing and creating my works. I find myself really lucky that I really enjoy my profession and creating art.
HMA: What best describes your technique and methods of illustration?
Marcos Cabrera: Well, 50 percent on the computer, 50 percent by hand. I always begin by drawing a very simple rough sketch with some ideas, and then I ink the illustration and add colors and other elements via the computer.
HMA: Your hail from Barcelona, what’s the art scene like?
Marcos Cabrera: I think it’s a great place. There are a lot creative people doing very cool things here. There are a lot of galleries and spaces involved in the art scene here. I think art in Barcelona mirrors the city’s charming jumble.
HMA: Have you done exhibitions showcasing your work?
Marcos Cabrera: Yes, I have done a few exhibitions around Tenerife and Barcelona. I try to work on my personal artworks between commercial projects and then prepare an exhibition to show my works.
HMA: If you had to pick five of pieces of your work that define the “Cabrera” style what would they be and why?
Marcos Cabrera: Well, I think all my work could define my style as it has evolved over the years, but maybe the most recent works I have done could be more the “Cabrera Style” than my works from 5 or 6 years ago.
HMA: …and five that influenced you as a creative?
Marcos Cabrera: There are a lot of artworks that have influenced me, it’s hard to pick just five, but I can try to do a list:
- Iron Maiden: Killers Album Cover
- Screaming Hand for Santa Cruz Skateboards by Jim Phillips
- The old school Rob Roskopp skate deck graphic by Jim Phillips
- The Rat Fink by Ed “Big Daddy” Roth
- The illustrations for the Garbage Pail Kids by Mark Newgarden
HMA: Salvador Dali has to be one of the most influential art personality coming from Spain, do you have other less famous but equally amazing artists?
Marcos Cabrera: I really love Francisco de Goya, El Greco and El Bosco’s art. Other artists that I consider an influence on my artworks could be Jim Phillips, Robt. Williams, Courtland Johnson, Frank Frazetta, and many more!
HMA: What are working on right now?
Marcos Cabrera: I’m involved on a project with a musician’s gear brand doing some promotional illustrations, I’m doing a few gig posters and making a few illustrations for album covers as well.
HMA: Thanks again for joining Heavy Music Artwork and for your interest!
Marcos Cabrera: Muchas Gracias!! Glad for this interview.
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