13 Oct The Jazzy and Vibrant World of Priscilla Moreno
Imagine a bright and colorful world where light pippy jazz is always playing, an assortment of soothing scents casually linger in the air, the weather is never not pleasant, and the diverse and eclectic people all around you are upbeat and friendly… This world is at your fingertips, thanks to the immersive art and design of Priscilla Moreno.
A SoCal native, Moreno grew up in Los Angeles, but now calls Long Beach home. She is a full-time artist, and has shown her vibrant and fun artwork in a number of L.A. and O.C. galleries. Her creations range from colorful sketches of strange and fascinating vintage-looking characters to simple colorful designs with uplifting messages and everything in between. Primarily working in watercolors and ink, Moreno is gifted with the visual gift of gab and loves to create images and characters that evoke a story.
We initially fell in love with her work in an enchanting and enveloping exhibition at Fullerton’s Hibbleton Gallery a few years ago and have continued to be enamored with her evolving style and creativity. Just earlier this year, she was in a group exhibition called “Chapter One” at Brea Art Gallery where she expanded her signature characters and narrative-based creations into a three-dimensional world you could actually walk around in.
Her work often feels like a hip party where everyone is interesting and you feel inspired and engaged being a part of it, or simply looking at it. Her characters are often based on real life observations and she is always looking on the bright side of things, even in a pandemic. She is a beam of bright colorful light and we can’t get enough.
Working out of her Long Beach home studio, she was kind enough to take a few minutes and chat with OC Art Blog about her background, her practice, her inspiration, and some of her favorite things (and snacks). She even shares one of her many amazing playlists with us. Check it out!
In your work, I see vintage comic strips, folk art, 1960s aesthetics, children’s book illustration, lounge music, and vintage graphic design… Can you tell us a little bit about your influences for your art?
I am very influenced by vintage fashion and design! I have always loved to draw my characters with big noses! Growing up, I got teased—jokingly—by my family about my nose and I ended up really appreciating it, and even incorporating it in my artwork! I love the artist/cartoonist Saul Steinberg, his characters all look vintage with big noses too! I love to make my artwork feel like a bossa nova song. I feel like my artwork is also very heavily influenced by music. I love jazz, bossa nova and mambo music, so it is fun to incorporate that.
What is your background in art?
I am a self-taught, freelance artist and illustrator; and, sometimes I create interactive art sculptures.
I just recently became full time with my artwork and it has been going well! It was a hard step to take, but I think it is important to try the unknown sometimes, especially if it’s my passion and something I have dreamed of doing! I now work with clients on helping design logos for their companies, or collabs with brands! I also run my online store and always get excited to drop a new product, like the enamel mugs I recently designed, those were a big hit!
Did you grow up in an artistic family? Were they supportive of your creative endeavors?
My grandfather is a painter, he grew up in Mexico and taught art lessons. My mother (his daughter) was not too artistic—it skipped a generation—and now I make art with my sister and my cousins, and brother is a musician! I had support from my siblings and cousins growing up! They were also very interested in creating. To this day, I still work on art with my sister and my cousins. We pump each other up!
You often create portraits of people. What is it about people that draws you in?
I love creating my own characters and telling a story about them. People-watching is one of my favorite things to do. Before Covid, me and my boyfriend would people-watch at Union Station in Los Angeles and I’d sketch. When I see someone that has good vintage style or eccentric physical features, I love creating a similar character to them and imagining a back story to their personality, interests, hobbies, and their daily life!
What is your favorite snack?
One of my top snacks while I am working in my home studio are chips! I am a big snacker! Actually, it’s funny because I guess you’d call these snacks the “bad” snacks. I love Ruffles chips or any gummy candy! I enjoy running in the mornings, and I promise I have a kale smoothie about 4 times a week, so I like to think of those snacks as guilt free!
Color seems to play a big role in your work—bright, vivid colors can be found in many of your original artworks. Why do you choose to stay so bright, and what are your favorite colors to use?
Like I mentioned earlier, I am very inspired by 1960s fashion and retro looks! I love looking through old vintage books or photos of people wearing extravagant clothing in the 50s, there are always lots of great color combinations. I love a good golden brown, olive green, mustard yellow, and persimmon to add a bright touch! Recently I’ve been using Case For Making watercolors and they have some good color options!
Your sculptural works are unique, and feel very different from your illustrations—can you tell us a little bit about your vision for the three-dimensional creations?
Whenever I get a good opportunity like a gallery show I always like to go all in, 100%, to make the viewers feel like they have just entered this world of my characters. I love doing that with my paintings too, I always give a back story to the characters I draw, I am a big fan of taking my art past the 2nd dimension.
Do you listen to music while making your art? If so, what?
You will always hear music coming from my studio, all day long actually, and loud! I love making playlists for my work days! I am an avid playlist maker. I love playing Mambo and boogaloo, cumbias, jazz, and oldies.
Here is the playlist I made when I created a music series where I drew my characters incorporated into all music types! This one was the Jazz series playlist:
What was your favorite book as a child?
The Pumpkin Smasher by Anita Bernarde! That book really made me feel spooky and creative!
It’s an old book from the 70s that takes place on Halloween. The illustrations are great and really make you feel like you are in October. I am a big fan of spooky things and also old horror films! This book was a big inspiration to me as a child.
What are your biggest sellers (original artwork, prints, buttons, small works, etc)?
Originals have always been a big seller! Since I have been getting more into my online store selling originals and other products it’s been very amazing for me to see what products I design that become big hits. I recently designed and sold some enamel mugs with my characters on it and they sold out very quickly.
How has the pandemic affected your artwork/sales/practice?
The pandemic has been challenging for artists, but I think that I looked at it in a way where it helped me! I was able to see what it is like to work on my artwork every single day as my full-time job. I started getting busy and that is when I decided to leave my job at the amazing cafe I worked at for eight years, and went for the big full-time leap!
What comforts you? (I find eating in bed watching an old movie comforts me.)
Good smells comfort me! I always have my Frankincense oil on my desk, there will always be a candle on, preferably Vetiver scented. I am a big on perfume too. Just spraying on my favorite unisex perfume (called Molecule 1) always makes me feel good and ready to work. I also love playing old movies in the background while I work, for a little extra inspiration! This week, I played Mur Murs by Agnes Varda, she is a cool French director. Another one I love to play in the background is Carnival of Souls from 1962.
What makes you angry lately?
I think what makes me angry is probably what has been making a lot of people angry lately—the current times and what a confusing year it has been. I do try to look for the best in everything and use my gift to spread a peaceful and positive message through my artwork especially for the younger generation. I love making art for kids!
What makes you happy?
Here a few things that make me happy!
-Mexico City
-Running
-The sea
-Records
-Tiki Culture
-Working on art with my sister @heidiroo_art
-Making pasta
-Champagne
-Skateboarding with @evanschiefelbine
What is next for you?
I plan to keep making people happy with my artwork and I hope to work with more clients and also have another gallery show! I will be featured in a fun group show at Giant Robot Store that is Totoro and Miyazaki themed! I also have a fun artist collaboration of skateboard wheels and shirts for skateboard wheel company SML Wheels! Stay tuned for those, and follow me on my Instagram to follow up on these fun upcoming projects!
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