We took a little visit to Jed Root illustrator Gary Fernandez's studio right here in New York City. Gary moved here just a couple months ago, and we are already in love with the place! Check out all the photos below and read the interview we had with him as well!
CC: Gary, welcome to NY! You've lived in several countries in the last few years and had exhibitions all over the world! What do you find particularly inspiring about NY and more specifically, your new home in Bushwick, Brooklyn?
GF: It is the endless energy, the constant movement, the diversity of cultures of this city that draw my imagination forward and push me to explore new territories. Whenever I visited the city in the past, I felt this energy and it's always been fuel for my creativity. You have different worlds in the same box and this is something really exciting to me. You can be in Chinatown in the middle of the New Year celebration and a couple of blocks away you see another festivity that is totally unrelated. Then you come back to the studio and it feels like being in another place altogether. You never get tired.
CC: What is your typical day like and where/ when do you find your most inspiring moments?
GF: I usually wake up between 7-7.30 and after a coffee I go out with my dog for a 6 miles walk. Then I start working on whatever is on the table, drawing, illustrations, or sculpting, altering with some reading and playing music, until midnight, usually, if there isn't anything else on the program.
Since inspiration knocks the door in unexpected moments of the day, I always try to be around my studio. And if I'm away, at least I have something to take note. Lately I feel much more inspired during the evening.
CC: You've recently started to create your illustrations in three dimensional forms. Tell us a little bit about the process.
GF: This is a dream come true. Basically, I translate my illustration into three dimensions first by 'sketching' in plasticine. Then, I start modeling it together with a digital sculptor from my hometown in Spain via Skype. When the sculpture is ready, I print some 3-D prototypes in San Francisco to test gravity and some other important aspects of the object. Finally, when everything has been corrected and the final version is ready, I produce a handcrafted series in L.A., where the team of sculptors I work with is located.
CC: Drawing, Illustration, Animation, sculpture, What medium is next for you, or what's something you'd like to venture into?
GF: The next is a consequence of the sculpture. The chance to recreate my illustrations in 3-D opened up an entire universe of possibilities since I can now work with different materials, and textures to develop my illustrations into the real world. I can work with wonderful woods, and metals enhancing the lines and forms of my works. So, now I'm doing some research of materials to work with to get the finest results.
CC: What is your dream project?
GF: I have a bunch of dream projects in my notepad, but the wildest one would be to create an entire installation bringing together mechanical imagery, performance artists, musicians, and visuals. A big celebration.
