Today at ARISTOPET we want to introduce you to the illustrator Carlota Linné. Passionate about the beauty of composition, colors, balance, and visual communication, she is a great animal lover and adores portraying pets. In each illustration, she tries to convey the essence and personality of each one of them in a fun and close way, applying a color palette that emits warmth and tenderness.
Do you want to meet her? Let's start the interview!
– When did you start drawing?
We all draw when we are children, we do it to express ourselves or simply for fun. As we get older, we abandon it, but some of us continue. In my case, I never stopped drawing.
Recently, my mother showed me a folder where she had kept all my drawings from when I was little, and I remembered how much I loved to express myself through art. I experimented with watercolors, oils, and acrylics, waxes… I loved telling stories with my drawings, I made small comic strips and I loved creating characters, especially animals. But what I liked most was drawing dogs; that folder was full of illustrations of canines… which even today continue to be one of my great inspirations.
– What was your first professional project?
After finishing my degree, I had the opportunity to join a creative agency where I was able to participate as an illustrator in many projects with major brands. But my big professional/personal project was the illustrations of Pinta and Jazz, a comic strip where I drew and recounted the daily life of my two Bodegueros. Sadly, they passed away a few years ago, and I didn't want to continue… But I hope to publish a book with all the drawings of their life soon :)
– What does illustrating mean to you?
I love my job, and for me, illustrating is almost therapeutic. I am a very energetic and restless person, but when I start drawing, my world stops, and I only focus on it. In this profession, you never stop learning and growing as an artist, and that is something that makes me want to keep illustrating every day.
– What techniques do you usually use when illustrating?
It depends on the project. I have always used mixed media, but lately, I use digital techniques. I draw with Procreate on my iPad Pro and give it the final touch with Photoshop. But I always try to go back to painting and getting my hands dirty with paint.
– How would you describe your illustrations?
I always try to convey closeness and tenderness with my illustrations. There's nothing more beautiful than when someone is moved deep down when they see one of my drawings.
– What do you like to illustrate the most?
It's clear that what I like most is illustrating dogs. I've always been surrounded by canines, and they've been my source of inspiration. But I don't just illustrate dogs; I do all kinds of illustrations: editorial illustration, posters, children's illustration, etc. I am passionate about communicating and expressing visually, whatever the message may be.
– What is special about animal portraits? What do you like most when portraying them?
Those of us who have animals know how much they mean to us; they are more than family, they are our daily life. Our faithful friends. My two bodega dogs, Pinta and Jazz, were my great companions for 15 years, and my house is full of paintings and illustrations of them. Being able to immortalize them with my art is a way of feeling them very close. Now I have a new muse, Mia, a beautiful greyhound :)
When I receive a commission, I always try to capture the essence of each animal, the small details that define them so much, so that their human parents can identify them immediately and I can bring a smile to their faces when they see the illustration.
– What inspires you? What sources have served as inspiration and have been decisive in shaping your style?
I am inspired by what surrounds me, and I try to be observant of my environment to reflect it in my work. I am half Swedish and spent a large part of my childhood in Sweden. I grew up with the stories of Astrid Lindgren, the famous author of Pippi Longstocking; I loved the illustrations in her books, full of color and joy.
But one of my great references has been John Bauer, a Swedish illustrator and writer. Bauer drew traditional Swedish fairy tales about trolls and elves, but he knew how to reflect the essence of Swedish nature, something that has always fascinated me. The deep forests that characterize Sweden so much, the wild animals, and books full of fantasy… Wonderful!
Today, as a professional illustrator, I am inspired by many great illustrators such as Mark Conlan, Abbey Lossing, Emiliano Ponzi, etc. Finding your style is always a winding road, and I've had to experiment a lot to find my own graphic style. The only way is to keep drawing and let go of your fears.
– Tell us about your experience as an ARISTOPETER
It has been a wonderful experience to work with such a lovely team as ARISTOPET.
– What would you recommend to the PET LOVER community?
I always try to remind people, even I sometimes forget, that we shouldn't forget that animals are animals and we have to let them be…
– What do you like most about ARISTOPET?
The team behind it :)
Did you like Carlota as much as we did, and do you need a portrait for your pet like one of these? Get one by clicking HERE.
