Celine Moya & Jaime Lock

So, what's your art form? And could you tell us a little bit about your practice?

Yes, sure. I'm an illustrator. I did a master's degree in illustration where I explored making autobiographical works. And I discovered their potential as therapeutic outlets. So I'm really interested in exploring that in my workshops, focusing on telling stories via drawing, or mark making or any sort of illustration, to help people understand their experiences and express them. I also love working with traditional media. I don't really do much digital work because I really enjoy working with paper and materials. And I think it has a really good effect on the mind as well.

Can you describe what a typical workshop with you would look like?

I would probably begin with introducing myself and my practice. And then I would have some materials like different types of paints, crayons, ink and paper. And then we'd basically just make some random marks on the page with paint or any material. And then it would be coming back to those and trying to see shapes in them. It's kind of like trying to see things in clouds, like trying to guess what clouds look like. So you're like, Okay, this looks like a face or oh, it looks like a car, and then you draw into that shape to turn it into what you think it is. And then you can use those drawings as a basis for final illustrations. I also love drawing exercises like drawing without looking at the paper. I think lots of people feel like they can't draw or are afraid of the final result. But I think if you put these limitations on your drawing, it's freer, because there's no way that drawing is going to look good anyway, because you're not looking at what you're doing! So it kind of takes off that pressure. And I think you can start to enjoy the activity itself without worrying about the result. And you always end up with something interesting in the end. And I think it makes people really happy to just be like, oh, yeah, I created this. And it actually looks really cool.

That's so great. So you're focusing on how it feels to make marks rather than an end product? And curating a space that says ‘anybody can make art’ and it doesn't have to be about the outcome. It makes it way more fun.

Yeah, for sure.

How do you foster an engaging environment in your workshops? Say, if people are feeling nervous?

I think even with adults it's nice to turn things into a game. Take the pressure off and show that, you know, we're not doing something super serious here! We're just here to have some fun. Icebreakers are good to lighten the mood, find things that everybody can talk about, no matter what their life experience has been. It brings people together and shows them that we all share similar experiences in a way. I think it makes people feel more comfortable. Then once you establish that trust, you have a bit of fun, you relax, and you can really get into the activity.

That makes sense! If you could leave people with one takeaway from a workshop with you, what would it be?

I would really love for people to feel like they enjoy creating. I think a lot of people stop creating after they're children, they just stop and forget how fun it is. So yeah, I would really love for people to start taking joy in making art or creating things again. And with the autobiographical comics, those kinds of workshops, I would love for people to leave having a better understanding of themselves, and a realisation that we all have these shared experiences. And maybe they feel less alone than they did before.

Yeah, that's a really nice thing to leave people with. So, where do you go to feel inspired?

I love going for walks in nature and just being away from civilization. Among plants and animals is definitely where I feel most inspired. And the calmest. Being next to bodies of water, as well, I think is really relaxing. But I also love being in the city. I love people watching wherever I am. You always end up overhearing interesting things and noticing interesting behaviours!

And where do you actually do your work? Do you have music in the background, or silence? What's your ideal setting?

So I currently work in my room but I would love to have a studio one day! I like listening to music when I work. But sometimes I can kind of start enjoying the music too much and stop working, which happens sometimes!

What kind of music do you like to work to?

Um, I listen to a lot of indie and jazz, but also funk... anything that's uplifting and has a good beat!

Is there another artist or another creative who really inspires you?

Oh yeah, there are so many. I really like Molley May's work. Her illustrations have so much movement and colour and she incorporates her poems into them. Check her out @molley.may!

And is there a particular piece of artwork that's been really important in your creative growth? Something you saw and thought, 'Okay, I really want to make work like that'.

I've always really loved the Impressionists and the way they changed artists' approach to painting. I think they were drawn to what I'm drawn to in my work which is the ordinary and nature. They completely changed the art worlds' perspective on what subject is worthy of being drawn.

Okay, now for some less arty questions! Do you have a guilty pleasure?

I would say vegan fast food is probably my guilty pleasure. Also peanut butter. I think I eat a worrying amount of peanut butter.

Oh, me too. For sure. What's your pet peeve?

I feel like this is gonna make me sound like a horrible person! If it's really bad don't include this

But it's slow walkers. Even when I'm not in a rush, I can't just enjoy walking at a leisurely pace for some reason.

I feel this. Are you a night owl or an early bird?

Definitely a night owl. Not a morning person. But it's frustrating because there's no sunlight at night and that makes it harder to draw and paint.

Do you have any Top Tips for aspiring artists? For people who think, hey, I want to be an illustrator. What would you say to them?

Be patient and keep drawing and making as much work as you can. Whatever your practice is. And be patient and kind to yourself. You will get there eventually. I'm still trying to get there myself!

I don't think we ever get to that point where we're like, okay, cool. I know what my voice is now, and I know what I need to say. I don't think you ever get there fully. One more question, because I'm interested! What are you working on right now?

I have a group of friends who I went to uni with and we've just started a collective but it's very new. We've all worked or are working in hospitality. So we're going to illustrate moments from hospitality environments, like funny or absurd situations that arise from the perspective of hospitality workers.

Amazing! Thanks so much for chatting with me and I can't wait to see a workshop of yours sometime soon!