Meet...

Can I tell you an embarrassing secret? When I was a kid, I thought it was SO cool to be a lefty and I'm not sure how it got into my head that lefties were more creative. I can't really explain it, but I was absolutely OBsessed with the curved hook of the wrist/hand that was required of a lefty. So there I sat with a no.2 pencil for weeks, struggling to train my left hand to write... Long story short, I'm currently a righty and can't write with my left hand to save my life. I did however manage to ruin my eyes by sitting 2 inches away from the television in an attempt to get glasses... but that's another post.

Anyway, I share this story because Marcela is a lefty and proves the theory of a silly 6 year old. Her work is amazing and she's no stranger to commissioned work - you've probably spotted her illustrations if you read Good Weekend Magazine (Sydney Morning Herald), Notebook, INSIDEout, Bon Appétit... the list goes on and on. And like she mentions below, I think this sort of say it like you see it attitude in her work and the way she captures and interprets everyday living is why I love her style so much. Now where's that no. 2...




A bit more about Marcela...

1. I have a degree in Graphic Design from the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Colombia but only started to do illustrations about a year ago after I did some short courses at COFA in Sydney and fell in love with this type of work.

2. A year ago I was receiving enough illustration commissions and realized I should quit my design job and give this a go... I am so happy, I don't want to look back!

3. I believe the main element in my drawings is the everyday life.

4. Leo Espinosa, an illustrator/designer I admire very much said my illustrations were delicate with a melancholic equilibrium between the nostalgia for the past and the contemporary. I like that perception!

5. When asked What did you want to be when you grew up? Marcela answered... I only knew that I didn't want to have long nails and I achieved it.

6. I eat chocolate like crazy when I find myself stuck (creatively)!

7. I can't live without good old pencils and a nice clean eraser.

8. I have been living in Australia for five years now. I first came after my husband (then boyfriend) who was doing a masters degree. What I miss the most is my family, fruits varieties and the mountains.

9. When I am alone at home I often do exotic bird's noises and I have a great mime show.

Links: www.leftyhand.com, www.leftyhand.bigcartel.com
Images: Marcela Restrepo