Luis Mendo is a Spanish artist whom I relate to for his simplicity and openness to bursts of inspiration. After discovering his work on WePresent this year, I started following him and delighting in his characters, portraits and travel sketches. Luis inspired me to doodle freely and use the paint brush in ways I didn't think I could. He shares a few thoughts on his 2018 experience:
What's the nicest thing you did for someone in 2018?
Creating Almost Perfect in Tokyo. It’s a creative residence where creatives from all over the world can come to stay, make and exhibit work. We have one nice tatami room and a work desk for them to make stuff. Also we have a gallery wall where they can make exhibitions. I think by creating this space together with my wife, more people will be able to come to Tokyo and they will have access to creatives in the city and get to know this megapolis in a less scary way than if they’d come and stay in a hotel or airbnb.
Has 2018 been a good year for you in terms of productivity and creativity? What all did you work on this year?
As I was concentrating on getting married and creating Almost Perfect, my work has been resented a little. I made some stuff but have left 2019 reserved for it.
Which film that you saw this year changed something in you?
I discovered that listening to old TV shows like It Takes a Thief from the 60s on YouTube soothes my mind while working. It’s like a wallpaper music that makes me draw more relaxed. Weird, I know...
Which song/s did you listen to on loop this year?
All the Juan Perro latest albums.
Best book you read this year?
El Rey Recibe by Eduardo Mendoza
Do you have an artwork that represents 2018 for you?
Probably this, which I made for WeTransfer to promote their new Collect app.
What's your 2018 takeaway?
Never underestimate the power of changing small things. A lot can happen in a couple of weeks, maybe a month, that will unravel into changing your life completely.
What's 2019 looking like for you? What are your goals/plans/dreams for the year ahead?
As every year, draw more, be more humble and give away more to the people who deserve it
Follow Luis The Drawer's work here.