The twenty-five-year-old Spanish illustrator María José Gajate Molina began her journey as an illustrator in Spain, specifically in Madrid. She studied in America, Italy, and is currently located in Bath, England. Under the name Mariajo Ilustrajo, she skilfully weaves her illustrations into the everyday life of every individual. She herself is an avid user of co-working platforms, which have brought her plenty of good experiences, acquaintances and new knowledge.
City Magazine: The Berlin betahouse invited you for an exchange. What did this experience bring you?
María José Gajate Molina: It was very interesting to be in another co-working space, and in another country. I myself worked for two years in a similar organization Utopic_Us in Madrid. Thus there was a fifteen-day exchange. It is always interesting and inspiring to see the work of others. We had the opportunity to show our work to the people who work there, we participated in various workshops, such as screen printing... We explored Berlin and its history, socialized and made many friends. This led to the collaboration with Libracos. I helped a friend who makes books by hand. I made her illustrations and a break, and now we are also preparing new joint projects.
City Magazine: When did you feel that you would look at the world through the prism of illustration?
María José Gajate Molina: I started drawing very early. When I was two or three years old. Since then I have been constantly drawing something. Even as a child, I dreamed of being an artist, and I can't even imagine life any other way.
"I like to get my hands dirty with paint, so I could never trade dirty hands for a tablet."
City Magazine: You sign as Mariajo Ilustraja. Why?
María José Gajate Molina: It is a play on words in Spanish. My name is María José, but everyone has called me Marija all my life. The illustration comes from the illustrator, of course, and it even rhymes. The name is playful, just like me and my work. I think this can be seen in my illustrations as well. It's just a fun name.
City Magazine: What is "that something" that an illustrator must have?
María José Gajate Molina: It comes from within. We can all draw, but the artistic sensibility is something that each individual carries within themselves. She could never be a doctor or a researcher. It probably depends on which side of my brain I use more.
City Magazine: Can we combine traditional illustration with new technologies?
María José Gajate Molina: Of course you can, but I don't like computers myself. I don't understand them and they don't understand me. I like to get my hands dirty with paint, so I could never trade dirty hands for a tablet. Of course, I do not deny that technology is also a great help to me. When I need to transfer my drawings to the digital world, it comes in handy.
City Magazine: Is there enough room in this world for illustrations?
María José Gajate Molina: Of course. There is room for everyone in this world. A few days ago I bought a can of tomatoes at the store because I thought the illustration of tomatoes was really cute. Visual communication is today and will remain very important in the future. I myself really like to use watercolors and crayons. Lately, I've also been using collages. I really like to combine different techniques with each other. Of course, I also make handy everyday items. Everything from t-shirts to mugs printed with my illustrations... It's important that my illustrations come to life in your lives.
City Magazine: Become an Art Form Bath. Your new project. What is behind it?
María José Gajate Molina: I moved to Bath to complete my degree in graphic communication. That's how I came up with the idea of a new project. Wherever I travel, no matter the length of the trip, I send my family a postcard. I will stay in Bath for a year. That's how I got the idea to send my illustrations to people who mean something to me. We live in a time when we have almost forgotten how to write with a pen. Even when we go somewhere, we communicate with people electronically. A letter, a postcard, a handwritten message... have a special charm. So I will make my motifs by hand and send them to different people. I will connect them together by posting the letter they received and the feelings they had upon receiving it on Facebook. Together, they will help write the story of Postcards from Bath. In Bath, I will indulge in events and learn as much as possible. I have a great desire to illustrate a children's book and I know that one day I will.
Mariajo Ilustrajo he also creates in the Madrid co-working space Utopian. You can see her illustrations in handmade books here.
