Artist Interview: Mario Carpe

Mario Carpe is an art director, designer, and illustrator from the southern paradise of Cádiz in Spain. He is not only a successful creator of impactful visuals for brands, but also a wise soul who emphasizes the importance of having fun and enjoying the process while urging artists to let their creative spirit come to life.

The artist holds a double degree in Law and Business Administration at the Charles III University of Madrid, and creates hand-tailored, distinctive, and bold visuals for global brands and clients worldwide, including Apple, The Guardian, and Porsche. His work has been recognized for multiple illustration, design, and advertising awards.

We asked Mario about his art, creative process, and inspirations.

*Mario Carpe is an artist, designer, and illustrator based in Cádiz, Spain*

Can you tell us about your background as a digital artist? How did you get started in this field?

I’m not too much into definitions and classifications when talking about my professional profile, so I wouldn’t define myself as a pure digital artist. Once I read that defining yourself means limiting yourself I believe we have come to this world to explore, evolve, and expand. If you were pushing me I would say that I’m a mix between a graphic designer and an illustrator who creates digital art. My work walks between those fields, sometimes I step more on one and other times on the other.

My background is self-taught and backed by work experience in the creative industry. I can’t tell you who is responsible for this but this responds to an inner call since I was born. Based on my life experience, the most valuable and useful bits of knowledge that I have gained have been learned either by myself or through experience, which is the best teacher for sure. As Confucius quote says ‘I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.’

When I look back I don’t understand quite well how everything started, it sometimes looks like a joke that has become a serious topic or a dream that is real now. Everything started when I was a kid and spent a lot of time drawing at school and home. Computers arrived when I wasn't a teenager yet and felt attracted to them, even if at that time I didn't have any clue about design and using them for other tasks. The basic tools were Paint, Word (WordArt was very powerful with all those effects), and Powerpoint for me. I continued drawing and, after graduating in Law and Business Administration at the University Charles III of Madrid, I started to take part in illustration contests and play with design software such as Illustrator and Photoshop. I got some prizes and felt that somehow those were life signs and that I had to continue on that path. And now here I am.

What inspires your art? Are there any particular themes or subjects that you enjoy exploring through your artwork?

I can be inspired by many themes and different ways, just need to grab a good coffee first, that's the only requirement. After that, everything can flow smoothly.

“What works for me the best is, as Pablo Picasso said, ‘The inspiration exists, but it has to find you working’. When you work, a thing drives you to another and sometimes you get to a point where you can’t stop creating. And you are already there, in an inspirational mood. I deeply believe that hard work and persistence will drive you to good results wherever the area of your life is, not just in the creative one.”

Regarding the topics, I have experimented with different stages in my life. However, I feel especially inspired by observing the world and developing topics related to daily life, society, and human behavior. I love questioning things, establishing standards, and creating questions for myself. Every time possible I use a sense of humor in my work. I feel a fascination for the unusual humor and the irony.

Aside from that I can get inspiration from other arts like music or literature. They are a great source of inspiration.

What is an event which you consider a milestone in your digital art career?

The most important event in my career was when I moved out from Spain after finishing University to the Czech Republic and got my first job in an advertising agency. I started as Junior Art Director and learned a lot of things working in the creative industry, from the conceptualization of an idea to design-related skills.

I got some previous knowledge that I learned by myself but it wasn’t enough, so I remember that I had to learn very quickly, even working and learning new skills after hours and during the weekends. I was very fortunate for that opportunity and realized that I had to take advantage of it if I wanted to step into the creative world and somehow start my career. I still remember that I was like a sponge absorbing all kinds of knowledge and skills. What best can describe that moment in my life is like Lao Tzu quote said ‘When the student is ready the teacher appears. When the student is truly ready the teacher disappears.’

Are there any artists or creative influences that have had a significant impact on your work? How have they shaped your artistic style or approach?

During my creative life, I have gone through different stages. In my case, when I started, I paid more attention to what others in the industry were doing. During that time I was more interested and focused on illustration, and followed many illustrators at that time. I had a lot of admiration for the duo Brosmind.

Nowadays, I don’t follow any creative influence or artist in concrete hardly, there are many talented people and creative studios out there doing great stuff. I like to discover artists and designers and appreciate what every person can bring to my work and life. I am not conscious of how can an influence affect my current work. I think that creative influence, at least in my case, is not something that I am looking for purposefully, it is something that might happen subconsciously.

I usually spend time investigating and discovering new artists, designers, and trends but if I adopt something is because subconsciously has landed in my work and fits within my style. Trends are interesting but your work cannot be subordinated to them. If something can fit into your style, the current project you are developing, or your workflow, that's perfect, it is more than welcome. I love experimentation and trying new things but more like an internal person who discovers myself through the process rather than taking new creative influences.

How do you navigate the business side of being an artist, such as pricing your work, marketing, and building a client base?

The creative business, like any other, is something that is constantly evolving and you have to learn to adapt to it. This is probably the most difficult part for any artist or designer. Of course, it is more complicated when you are just starting because you don't know anything about how it works and it is something that is learned with experience and time. We, artists and designers, think that producing good material is enough to attract new projects or clients, and although this is key to achieving this, marketing and promoting your work in the right way is also very important.

The reality is that I am still learning and I cannot give good advice or wise recommendations in this field, but the key for me so far is to find the right people and keep good relationships with them, read books about freelance life and business, and use social networks and platforms to promote your work. Keep updated.

What is a profound childhood memory?

I have many good memories from my childhood, so I’m going to share with you the first ones that come to my mind which doesn’t mean that they are unique.

“I remember most it is the time that I spent scribbling, drawing, and coloring on the table that my parents have in the kitchen. I believe that the smell of the dishes that my mother cooked somehow inspired me. I felt very comfortable doing it there.”

Still in mind those long afternoons I spent in the school playground with my friends and schoolmates, such a fun time. I can’t forget coming back from school to watch music videos or waking up very early during the weekends just to watch cartoons on the TV. It was incredible that I didn’t need an alarm clock.

What else fills your time when you’re not creating art?

Sport is an important pillar in my life. Physical activity helps me to disconnect, keeps my brain fresh and endorphins bring me new ideas. A relaxing walk with my dog along the promenade or the seashore at the beach also works pretty well. I love sunsets.

“I admire gastronomy it is an art itself. I enjoy hanging out, going out to eat a simple ‘tapa,’ or trying a dish in a new restaurant. Hydrating my body is also important and I love to drink sometimes good beers, especially, craft ones.”

Everything related to something cultural is always a good plan, from a concert to visiting a museum, spending an afternoon reading a good book, or going to see a play at the theatre. Partying and clubbing sometimes are also included. Traveling and discovering new cultures is one of the most enriching experiences that someone can have.

What advice would you give to emerging digital artists? Are there any resources or learning materials you would recommend to help them improve their skills?

My advice is to work hard, have fun, enjoy the process, and be patient. Never give up. You will go through good and bad times but the one who makes the difference is the one who remains firm and persist. You have to be like a long-distance runner.

Resources? Is not everything on the Internet yet? Aside from learning, I encourage everyone to try and explore by themselves because what you will find in your interior you are not going to find it anywhere else. Let your creative soul come out.