The Artist Behind Cris Banana Studio

1. When did you first realise you wanted to become an artist?

I was always attracted to art to be honest. My notebooks in school were all full of doodles but I never had formal art education aside from some small courses I took when I was a teenager…

I became an artist when I was 29. Why this gap? Because I never felt that I had anything to offer to the world - hello imposter syndrome - and it was as simple as taking a different path and letting my love for art vanish. But guess what? It didn’t go away! And it came back when I needed it the most. I had a period of depression, I was far away from home, feeling cold and lonely and in this kind of situation I think you can either sink or rise. And oh yeah! art helped me rise all the way to the top! That was the catalyst to do something I never had the strength to do before, and with my partner's help I slowly started creating art. I saw I was doing something I could be proud of, but I also realised that there were no shortcuts or easy ways. Being an artist requires an enormous amount of discipline, work, self-love and self-acceptance.

2. What inspires you?

Nature is probably where I feel the most inspired and it’s obvious because nature is so beautiful and perfectly imperfect.

I also feel a deep connection with my country and even though I don’t live in Mexico anymore, I have beautiful memories of all the colours in the markets and all the beautiful indigenous women wearing dresses with bright colours and embroidered flowers and long braids decorated with ribbons.  

The thing is, when you are creative you will find inspiration and ideas everywhere and that can be a problem sometimes if you, like me, don’t know how to organise all those ideas. I guess that’s why I like experimenting with different mediums.

3. What process do you go through in preparing for a piece of art you are about to make?

I don’t follow a process unless I’m painting or designing a commission project/piece of art. And when I do I start writing words, I write all the words I can think of that are relevant. Then, I start sketching ideas, objects… sometimes at this point I make a little moodboard to help me see everything together. Usually when it is time to actually start painting there is a period of just silence when I look at everything in front of me and I have a mental fight with the white page. Once there is some colour on the white everything flows nicely.

On the other hand, when I have creative freedom, I skip everything and I throw myself in the deep end, because if I think too much I sometimes block myself.

Having a nice cup of warm chamomile tea and relaxing music is almost a must before starting any new piece.

4. Why are you attracted to art?

I was born in a country full of colour, in a city (Cuernavaca) where art and culture has always been very important. Sometime along the way I started to embrace art as part of my life - even though I was not proactively making anything, I was constantly going to exhibitions, theater plays, orchestra concerts, poetry reading, etc. It just became addictive: it’s an addiction to aesthetics, to questioning myself, and to challenging my senses. So, I guess I am attracted to art because it's always been a natural part of my life.

5. Who are your biggest artistic influences?

I am really fond of the Tzotzil women from Chiapas, Mexico. Their close contact with the Lacandona rainforest, make their embroidery art unique. The colours they use are bright and bold and all the pieces have a different story. 

6. What are 3 things that help to lift your mood?

1.- Nature walks.

2.- Meditation.

3.- Painting/Drawing.

These little guys have helped me a lot through the years. If you ever feel like nothing is working, go for a walk and let the greenery do the rest. If it’s raining, cold, gray or you just don’t want to go out, close your eyes and breath in and breath out until you feel better (it really works!). Painting might sound challenging, but I have created some colouring sheets that you can download for free when you join the “Love Box” (it’s free), and are great for a relaxing “me time”.

By the time you read this you’ve learnt some stuff that I consider important and valuable about me, but if you have any further questions let’s chat! I am always happy to hear from you!