A Pin-Up Illustrator with a Colorful Twist: Julia Puche's Creative Journey

City: Yecla, Murcia.

Bio: I'm 22 years old and my passion has been with me since I can remember, as I have been drawing since then. However, I didn't decide to pursue it professionally until my teenage years. I studied art in high school and later completed a higher degree cycle in Illustration at the School of Art in Murcia. Now, I've been in the beginning of my professional career as a freelance illustrator for two years. I have worked on various projects (editorial, merchandising, concept art, and comics among others) and I continue to educate myself independently.

Most used techniques: I am very versatile when it comes to working on my projects and I love to experiment with many different techniques, both analog and digital. However, lately I have been mainly using oil paint for commissioned paintings, and digital tools for illustrations due to their versatility and speed.

How would you define your work, any obsession: At present, my illustrations have a very pictorial and colorful style, influenced by a wide range of references, although I recognize that I have drawn heavily from 20th century American illustration.

Any main source of inspiration: A few years ago, when I came across a book by the illustrator Gil Elvgren, I instantly became a great admirer of his work (due to his style, fluid lines, use of color, and the way he tells stories through his art). This book was one of the main reasons why I now enjoy drawing women in the pin-up style, creating colorful illustrations with a cheerful and pictorial touch. I am also passionate about the beauty of landscapes and animals, although I find inspiration in many things. My artistic curiosity allows me to be in constant evolution.

What projects are you working on? Something you want to tell us: I can't share much since it's still in the middle of the process and it's not known if it will go ahead due to its magnitude. All I can say is that it's an editorial project where I have to create over 100 illustrations, and if it goes ahead, it will be the coolest and most important project I have worked on to date.

What do you expect from POPnK: A good collaboration where we can grow together, with me as an artist and you as a company.

What do you think is the future of POP art to come?: To be honest, it's difficult to say. We are living in a moment where everything is advancing so quickly, and we don't know what impact artificial intelligence will have as it makes its way into many fields. It's possible that we may have to reinvent ourselves and learn to adapt, but I hope that the creative value of an artist will prevail and be appreciated, or even reevaluated with projects like this.

...Surely it will prevail, especially with people like you, Julia. Thank you.