The colorful canvas of Elena Boils 

Elena is a vibrant and dynamic illustrator and animator whose work bridges the cultural landscapes of London and Mexico City. With a rich background in both digital and handmade brush processes, her art is a testament to the subtle yet profound influences of her Mexican heritage. Having studied illustration at Falmouth University in Cornwall, Elena’s journey from her early days in Mexico to her thriving freelance career in two bustling cities showcases her unique perspective and artistic evolution. Her portfolio spans a wide array of contexts, from print to digital, reflecting a versatile and ever-evolving creative voice. Here’s Elena in her own words.

Lorem Ipsum: You were born in Mexico, do you feel like the culture where we grow up and its visual identity influences the POV of an artist?

Would you say this is the case for you? Can we find some sort of influence from your Latinx heritage in your pieces?

Elena: I’d say it does but to what capacity is hard to say. Some artists really focus on their heritage and culture in a very conscious way. For me I think this influence is more subtle. I love things that are a bit funny and surreal, which is something I feel is very Mexican. In some of my work I will reference things i grew up with, certain shops, products or aesthetics even if just as a loose inspiration. The work I feel is most influenced is the volcano gif series as it has a direct relationship to the landscape in Mexico city, which sits in a valley of volcanoes I always felt were threatening to erupt. 

L: Tell us about your beginnings with animation and illustration, when did it all begin?

E: I came to the UK to study illustration so I guess it started as soon as I left school. I started freelancing straight out of University although I had some secondary jobs in the beginning whilst things were picking up. My work in Animation has been much more recent, I learnt how to make things move in photoshop a few years ago and since then have been building up a body of work that incorporates moving images a lot more. I love that it’s an ongoing learning process and it is somewhat still challenging for me. 

L: Which artists would you say have influenced your work

E: There are so many! But I think to name a few of the ones I always return to: Carlos Merida, Félix Valloton, Ken Price, Mark Adams, Karel Apperl and Vilhelm Lundstrøm.

L: How’s your creative process? Do you rely on pure inspiration or do you have a system? Guide us through it.

E: On reflection every self initiated project has both a different process and source of inspiration. Sometimes I see something on the street, a film or wherever and get an idea for an image I think would work. Other times the process is more explorative and I will start with some rough ideas and go into a research dive. With client work there is more of a schedule, and the process relies more on the brief.  I will usually start with research, then sketches and finally some color versions. 

L: The current landscape for illustrators and animators is very competitive, what do you think is key for creators and artists to stand out?

E: I think having your own voice and visual language is one of the key things to make it out there. It’s also important to have a strong necessity to create the work you want to make as opposed to what you feel will be liked. I’ve found throughout my career that art directors and clients are always drawn to my personal self initiated projects. People respond well when they feel something was made from a place of creativity. I also think adapting and evolving your work is super important.

L: If you were asked to review your own pieces, which adjectives would you use to depict them?

E: In the past I’ve always started to describe my work as colorful and even though that’s super self evident, I feel like color is such a main thing in the way I make images, it set’s the entire tone of a piece and brings so much joy in my process. I also find that there is an element of humorousness to the pieces I make even if not in a very literal sense. Finally the adjectives  dynamic and lively come to mind, especially with my more active work. 

L: What dream commission are you still waiting for?

E: I would love to do a longer animated piece, something with maybe more storytelling to it. Saying that animation takes so long I would hope not to get bored of such a project. I would also love to do more physical work such as murals and paintings.

L: Did you watch a lot of animation while growing up? What’s your favorite cartoon/animated movie/anime from your childhood? 

E: I did, although I never focused too much on the artistry of the images. I’ve actually been revisiting the background imagery of popular shows like The Simpsons and the movement of objects in them without the characters. There is something very creative and beautiful about the simplistic compositions and how they have been informed by film making in history. I also find old informational videos really inspiring. 

L: What’s your opinion on AI tools and generative AI as an artist?

E: Like all technologies it will have its advantages and disadvantages. So far I’ve read a lot of the negative side to Ai and I guess only time will tell on the impact it will have in all areas of human creation. For me personally I am yet to explore it as a tool and make something I feel works with my image making. I don’t want to reject it completely as I think this is something that is here to stay. It reminds me a bit of when I went to University and thinking photoshop was not for me until I had a play around with it and now it is what I use to make most of my work so I don’t want to rule its use completely. 

L: Have you been working on new stuff recently? What can you share with us related to upcoming projects?

E: I have a plan to make a project about natural disasters though I haven’t decided what form or context this will take. I’ve recently been working on a book cover that was a bit of a dream project but I’m not sure I’m allowed to say too much until it comes out. I’m also been trying to get into making some paintings. 

Elena’s journey is a captivating blend of cultural influences, artistic experimentation, and an ever-evolving creative process. Her commitment to maintaining a unique visual language and her passion for creating from a place of genuine inspiration set her apart in a competitive scene. Whether through her colorful illustrations, humorous elements, or her lively animations, Elena’s artistry will continue to captivate and inspire, promising an exciting future for this talented illustrator and animator.

Don’t forget to check out her site: Elena Boils