Formidable Magazine. What was your first creative impulse? Mon de la Peña. I think it was at school, lessons were boring so I drew just for fun.
F.M. There is some point or experience that made you realize that art would be your thing? MDLP. Mmm, not sure I want to do art only, I also love architecture. But if I had to choose a moment it was last year when I took an art class and I started drawing less conventionally.
F.M. How would you define your work? MDLP. I think at the moment I’m experimenting through colors and textures, all my pieces are work in progress right now.
F.M. Inspirational artists? MDLP. I love the way Jackson Pollock worked, he danced on the canvas. Of course Gerhard Richter, Basquiat, and Yoko Honda’s use of color and illustration. I also follow some artists on Instagram; SACI Pedro, Felipe Pantone, Mark Whalen, Carla Fuentes, Hattie Stewart…
F.M. Would you say your studio setting influences your work? MDLP. It sure does! It’s really uncomfortable to work on a big format in a small studio, and also light is very important. It influences in the perception of the space and color.
F.M. Is the studio just a place for production or also inspiration is inherent to the studio space? MDLP. To me, my studio is a place for both creativity and production because I think both must occur at the same time.
MDLP.F.M. Did you have a plan for the layout of your studio, or did it develop organically?
I’m a little bit chaotic, so the studio set up is definitely not planed.
F.M. How is a day in the life of Mon de la Peña? MDLP. I get up, go to the gym and have breakfast while I read a book. After I start painting with acrylics or drawing architecture, it depends on my mood.
F.M. Best and worst night out? MDLP. The best night possible I think it’s with good friends and music and the worst night is the night before presenting a project, all night stressed out working on the computer, it’s hell.
F.M. What do you love and hate about Madrid? MDLP. I love Madrid’s sun and atmosphere, people are open and fun but I don’t like the night life here.
F.M. What’s in your play list? MDLP. My playlist is mostly techno and electronic, but also hip hop and music made by my friends, sometimes even classical music. I usually work with my computer so music is on all the time.
F.M. Our motto is “A life less ordinary”, what makes life less ordinary? MDLP. Enjoy what you do and you go on your own way, not following the beaten path other people just because is the thing to do.
