Marcos Cabrera

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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