CH.89: If you were to categorize or describe the style of your artwork, what would it be and why?

LR: I would describe it as figurative, symbolic and sometimes surrealist.

CH.89: Where do you draw your inspiration from?

LR: I am mostly inspired by nature. However, this interest is generally triggered by other random things: stories, songs, films, photos, personal experiences, etc.

CH.89: Can you talk a little bit about what your creative thought process is like when starting a new project/ piece of artwork?

LR: It depends if it is a commercial illustration or personal artwork. For commissions, I read the story and give myself a little time to process the images that arise in my head. Then, I draw sketches and define the overall composition. Once the client approves the idea, I start painting.

In my personal artwork I have a much more independent and intimate process. It is more related to connect a part of myself with an image, rather than following a specific concept.

CH.89: Is there anything in particular that you would want people to take from your artwork?

LR: I work with topics that are related to our primal existence that I feel are somehow anesthetized nowadays, for example, our relationship with nature. I do it because it is a way for me to rediscover those lost connections, but I also expect other people to become aware of them.

CH.89: Can you talk a little bit about your lifestyle as an artist and what that is like?

LR: It’s a lot of work. I manage to have leisure time, which I love, but I spend a huge amount of time in the studio, with my sketchbook or finding inspiration for my work.

CH.89: When starting out an artistic task, do you think it is better to have a particular direction/set plan guiding your way? Or, is it better to act on impulse and go from there?

LR: I don’t think there is one way better than the other. For me, it is helpful to have some ideas before I start painting. Sketches are a way to define the outline, but also to canalize the meaning that I want to communicate.

CH.89: What is one major lesson you’ve learned as an artist thus far?

LR: Work really, really hard.

CH.89: Do you regard personal style & taste to be of highest importance?

LR: Rather than a defining factor, I see personal style and taste as an extension of identity, which for me is more important.

CH.89: What do you consider to be the hardest thing about being an artist?

LR: There are many uncertainties, either financially or within your own work, which might be hard at the beginning.

CH.89: What is one thing you love about being an artist?

LR: Having the freedom to question myself and what is around me.

CH.89: Is there anyone in particular, any artist’s that inspire you in any way?

LR: There are so many artists that inspire me! But if I have to pick one, that would be Kiki Smith.

CH.89: What do you think of technology in terms of being a useful tool for artists today?

LR: I think it is useful in many ways. In terms of social networking, I think it is an essential part of self-promotion, which is highly difficult to escape from. If you use it correctly, it can open countless doors. Also, software technology has proven to be both platform and instrument, which I think is redefining the whole process of creation.

CH.89: Do you think being an artist allows you to view the world differently from those who don’t follow creative paths?

LR: Not necessarily. I believe all people are creative in their own way, and it is just a matter of using that skill. For me, self-consciousness is something you acquire because you are mentally awake, which is not exclusive to artists.

CH.89: Do you enjoy traveling? If so, do you have a favorite city?

LR: I do enjoy traveling, a lot. If I have to pick a big city, it would be New York. It is exciting, inspiring, and endless.

CH.89: Do you have a favorite author or book?

LR: One of my favorites authors is María Luisa Bombal (Chile), because I was able to connect a lot with her work and her life while illustrating the book ‘Trenzas’, a story she wrote in 1940. She was an amazing, intense woman.

CH.89: Any future goals or plans for your artwork?

LR: I am planning to expand a bit more the formats that I use. I would like to investigate how does my work evolve in its content by making very technical modifications.

CH.89: What does being an artist mean to you?

LR: Being able to communicate, find meaning and make visible things that are not always tangible.

CH.89: Any last words on the aesthetic of your artwork?

LR: Even though my works are very open to interpretation, I think figurative and narrative contents are the backbone of my work.

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