Introducing... Okuda San Miguel

To coincide with the launch of our Spanish issue last week (guest-edited by adam&eveDDB), we decided to track down and introduce Spanish multi-disciplinary artist, Okuda San Miguel.

Santander-born Okuda is known for his obsession with geometric patterns. He's constantly on the move, looking for inspiration and working on jobs both nationally and internationally. His work takes many forms, having worked on screen-prints, wood, glass, canvas and even tapestry among other mediums, to create surrealistically pop-inspired images. He has transformed the insides of churches, designed skateboards and even dabbled in fashion (below). It seems there is nothing he can't do and very little he won't try.

shots speaks to Okuda San Miguel about what keeps him inspired, what a typical day in his life looks like and the importance of food and people in his daily routine. To find out more about him, click here.

How do you define your artwork and yourself as an artist? 

I'd say that I'm a very positive person that loves to work and wants to tease some sort of purpose from my life. My artwork deals with existentialism, capitalism, nature, identity and animals and I often work in multi-coloured, surrealistic, pop-inspired worlds. But I like to include personal characters, landscapes and architectures to blur past and future designs.

How did you get to where you are now?

By pursuing my dreams, working hard, carving out my personal style and doing everything from the bottom of my heart.

What do you enjoy most about being an artist? 

Traveling, meting new people, new cultures and new food... and of course, creating, because I need it to be happy.

What’s a typical working day like for you? 

I am in Andorra, Spain at the moment. Tomorrow for example, I will wake up around 9am, eat breakfast - fruit salad, some toast with tomato and ham, orange and ginger juice - and then arrive to the studio to paint three wood panels for a new project in the Caldea Spa here. I'll work until lunchtime (about 2pm) with other artists and friends, like Suso33, Sixe and my team, including my assistant Marcos, my manager Oscar Sanz and the organizers. We'll continue working until 9pm when we'll regroup for dinner and then head on to the incredible Caldea circuit Spa.

What made you get into this industry? 

I don’t know... I just wanted to paint in the streets but it was only when I started to work in the studio, that my identity as an artist developed. I'm always growing.

Tell me something about your job that few people know. 

I fly much more than anybody thinks so I'm constantly meeting with international artists, musicians and actors. And I'm always partying... even if I have to fly and work in another country the next day; you only live once eh?

How important is social media in the role that you do? 

It's very important for talking to my followers and letting them know that I'm actively working on new projects. And it's a great way to gain feedback. Plus it can help to secure interesting projects in different countries. Follow me on instagram; it's my favourite platform and it's a bit like reading my diary.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far in your career?     

You have to worry about yourself and take care of your dreams. Always give everything to positive people as they'll give you the same back.

What do you do to stay inspired?

I listen to music; it inspires my ideas. One of the best places for me is on a plane... I like being far away from the streets and above the clouds.