Ana Restrepo was born in Medellín, Colombia and is currently studying for an MA in Fine Art at the University of Northampton. Restrepo is focussed on creating illustrations that tell stories of the every day and aspects of life and moments which could be easily missed due to its familiar character, but are worth considering and reflecting upon.
1) Which art movement do you consider most influential on your practice?
I think Realism, because of its interest in representing life as it is.
2) Where do you go and when to make your best art?
At home is where I am most comfortable and I like drawing in the morning when there is a lot of light and it isn't very hot.
3) How do you describe your 'creative process'?
Usually, I just take pictures of scenes I might want to draw. When starting a new piece, I go back and see what I have, choose one photograph and start. I like imagining who the people in the picture are while I draw them and listening to the pencil on the paper, most of the times I draw in silence.
4) Which artist, living or deceased, is the greatest inspiration to you?
I love Monet. My style is very different, but his paintings have a way of capturing a scene, a sense of lightness I would love to be able to put in my drawings.
5) If you weren't an artist, what would you do?
I did a Product Design Engineering Bachelor, so probably that.
6) What do you listen to for inspiration?
Nothing, I look at old pictures.
7) If you could own one artwork, and money was no object, which piece would you acquire?
Bohemia Lies by the Sea, 1996, Anselm Kiefer.
8) If your dream museum or collection owner came calling, which would it be?
Any museum would be nice :)
9) What is your key piece of advice for artists embarking on a fine art or creative degree today?
Enjoy, it goes away fast.
10) What is your favourite book of all time (fiction or non-fiction)?
Momo, Michael Ende. It's beautiful and it always gets me drawing.
11) What was the biggest lesson your university course or time studying taught you?
It is important to trust yourself and do what you love, it will show in your work.
12) And finally, if we were to fast forward 10 years, where would we find you?
I keep making plans and projects for the future and it always turns out different than expected (until now always better). Hopefully happy and drawing wherever I am.
