the creatives - ana montiel

Welcome again to 'the creatives' - a series I'm running here on the blog, introducing you to some of my favourite artists and designers, sharing a little of their work and asking them a few questions. This time I'd like to introduce Ana Montiel. I'm a big fan of Ana's work, I find it incredibly refreshing, and a little dreamy at the same time. I love her use of pattern, graphic shapes, typography, as well as the pretty colour palette she uses.

So Ana, please tell us a little about yourself and what you do? 
I'm originally from La Rioja (Spain). I moved to Barcelona to study Fine Arts when I was 18 and after 11 years living there my boyfriend, our cat and me decided to relocate to East London. I've always been very curious by nature and pretty self-taught in many ways. I'm all the time exploring, trying new things for my art projects, client commissions and life in general. I love cooking and I'm also quite hooked on gardening. The other day my boyfriend and I were cleaning and tidying up the little pond we dug last year in our backyard and found more than 10 frogs in it. I totally love the countryside vibe your life can have in some London neighbourhoods :)

What's the first thing you remember creating and how old were you? 
No idea but a photograph comes to mind of a 4 year old me painting a canvas placed on a small easel – this photograph appears in this video that Tea Time Studio made about me.

What are you working on at the moment? 

I'm working on some big format canvas paintings for my Visual Mantras project, I'm also making ceramics, drawing with ink and collaging, starting a couple of commissions for clients…

Where do you look for inspiration? 

Everywhere. Inspiration is all around – and inside us. 

What are your favorite magazines, and blogs? 
The Plant, Apartamento, Lula, The Gentlewoman, Frieze, Fine Little Day, I'm Revolting, The First Mess, Have Cake Will Travel, The Selby, Sight Unseen… the list could be endless!

If you could collaborate with anyone (living or dead who would that be)?

I'd love to create a crazy and colourful collection with Elsa Schiaparelli, that would be fun. Also would be amazing doing something together with Buckminster Fuller – such an inspiring man!
 
Do you sell your work? If so where? 
I have my online store and also some stockists around the world sell my wallpaper and other items.

Where can we find you? (blog, website, twitter, instagram, etc.)

• Ana's website
• Ana's shop
• Ana's blog
• Instagram @anamontiel
• Twitter @anamontiel
• Pinterest

Thank you Ana, for taking part in this little series and giving us all an little insight into your work and what inspires you. 

Do take a look at Ana's website's to see more of her work and enjoy meeting her in the video she mentions above - it's really lovely.

london

We took a day off work the other week and headed to London, we had tickets to see Light Show at the Hayward Gallery. I couldn't take pictures there, but this sums it up rather well. 

If you get a chance to go, you should it's so enjoyable!

these two

Tit and Pie, they make my heart sing! They really are the cutest things. 

Pie might only look small but the other day he showed us all what a big strong boy he is. When a male Mallard landed in the garden with a fancy for Tit. Pie went straight in for a fight, had a little tussle and then flew the Mallard away to the river. By the time we got over to the riverbank Pie was telling three ducks that this was his patch and his girl, he chased them off down river and then swam back to us for some tomato and a little cuddle before being reunited with Tit! What a little cutie! 

[in case you're wondering - when we first got Pie we though he was a she, I can't remember when we discovered his true sex, but if you've just read the post where I introduce him you'll see I referred to him as a her!]