Ricardo Cavolo
You’ve already come across the brightly-coloured artworks of this Spanish-born artist, that’s for sure. His name is Ricardo Cavolo, and he’s one of the most original creatives of his generation. In fact, from illustrating picture books to collaborating with luxury and high-street brands, Ricardo has developed and stayed true to his idiosyncratic style, playing with contrasts. Read on to find out more about this young artist, and let yourself be inspired!
First of all, when did you begin to draw?
When I was a child, so when everybody does. The thing is I never stopped drawing, and since then I did it along the way to becoming a professional.
The biggest achievement in my life as an artist is being able to live just on drawing and painting.
Ricardo, how did you develop your creativity? And how would you define your approach to art-making today?
My creativity is based on so many years spent reading books and comics, also watching a million movies. Lately, I’ve also been paying a lot of attention to photography, documentaries and music videos. Over time, YouTube has become my main source of inspiration.
That being said, when did you realise you wanted to pursue a career in the arts?
I never thought about that in terms of becoming a professional artist. I always believed it was impossible, so I did it quietly and never imagined it could be like this. Since I always wanted to do something related with drawing and painting, but as to make a career out of it felt like it was almost an impossible mission, I thought I’d wok in advertising, graphic design or something like that. The attention I received on my work as an artist was a big surprise to me.
You live in Madrid (Spain), but you travel a lot. Is there a place you call your ‘home away from home’? Do you feel homesick when you're away for work?
My manager and team are based in Montreal, so that would be my home away from home. Besides that, I love a life where I’m traveling more than half a year. I’m able to travel with my wife and son a lot of the time, and that’s beautiful. If I’m traveling alone, I miss them a lot, of course. My favourite thing in life is traveling with my family.
Building off this, what’s the place where you feel the most inspired? Where do you go, and what do you do, when you experience the so-called writer’s block?
I must say almost every trip is very inspiring to me, no matter where I’m going: Mexico, Russia, or the U.S. I have a very open mind and I find inspiration in every place I visit. When I’m blocked, I don’t force the situation. I stop what I’m doing and go out for a walk, watch a movie, or read a book.
Ricardo, let’s focus on your works. What’s the project you’re most proud of? How about the one that best represents your style?
I’m very happy with my murals, and the murals I’ve been painting lately are very representative of my work. For the last two years, my work has been evolving, and a big mural (1.500 squared meters) I painted on a silo addressing mental health is a very good representation of my work nowadays.
Going off this, how would you describe your style? I find the contrast between the ‘ghoulish’ subjects and bright flashy colours of your artworks very interesting!
I’m not sure about how to describe my work. I like to draw simple lines, almost naïve, using a very powerful colour palette and focusing on deep subjects.
You collaborated with many different brands, such as Gucci, Converse and Alexander McQueen. Are you currently working on any fashion-related collaboration? When collaborating with a fashion brand, is there a process you always follow?
Yeah, that’s one of the most exciting and fun aspects of my work. I’m working on a couple of collaborations right now, but I can’t talk very much about them for now (Smiles, E.D.). When I’m working on a collaboration like these ones, I just try to be myself and create the best I can. I know the brand contacted me because they found my work good for the project, so there’s no need to stress. If you have fun during the process, the final result is the best one you can achieve.
Mexican painter Diego Rivera said: ‘As an artist I have always tried to be faithful to my vision of life, and I have frequently been in conflict with those who wanted me to paint not what I saw but what they wished me to see’ . Can you relate to Rivera’s words?
Yes, of course.That’s the eternal fight. At the beginning I lost a few projects, because the client wanted me to do things I didn’t feel that I connected to. It’s a lot easier for me now, since I don’t even see it as a fight anymore. I won a few battles and now have the right to decide what I do. Having said that, I try to be the most professional I can be and respect the brief. What I try to do is understand the pitch and overall goal and interpret it into my universe.
You illustrated many different picture books, such as ‘101 Artists to Listen to Before You Die’ and ‘The Incantations of Daniel Johnston'. What’s your relationship with print media? Are you a book, or e-book, kind of person?
One of the most beautiful things in my life is creating books. I always perceive that as one of the highest level of projects. So, I’m so happy to be able to work on a new book almost every year. I’m a good reader, but it makes me happy to be on the other side, creating books. I must say I prefer an actual book. However, when you travel a lot, and and you read something like three books at the same time, an e-book can be helpful. That being said, if I can, I always read a paper book.
Ricardo, can you share your most important achievement with us all?
To me, it’s pretty obvious: the biggest achievement in my life as an artist is being able to live just on drawing and painting. If I’m a successful artist and I make a living doing that, then all the things that happen under that umbrella are beautiful achievements.
Speaking of success, do you think you’d have reached all your goals without being on social networks? What’s the role of social media in your daily life?
I can’t say. It’s pretty obvious most of my projects arrives because someone saw my work on the internet. I like to think that, without social media, I’d still have become an artist, but it probably would have taken longer.
Despite your achievements, do you still have a secret dream?
Yes, just to keep on being an artist until my last day. If I get that, it means I’ll be able to develop wonderful projects I can’t even imagine right now. That’s beautiful.
Business-wise, if you could start over, what would you do differently?
Maybe, I’d go slower. I burnt myself out during the first years of my career and I spent a lot of energy. That made me feel depressed and exhausted for a while. I’ve learned from my mistakes and I’m doing things in the best way now.
Lastly, what's the question you've never been asked but always wanted to answer?
Honestly I don’t think about myself too much, so I have no idea about that.
I like to draw simple lines, almost naïve, using a very powerful colour palette and focusing on deep subjects.