Recently, I had the pleasure to meet Rodrigo Morlesin and preview his fantastic new book Luna Ranchera. The illustrations are BEAUTIFUL…full of color, life, emotion, and charm. And when Rodrigo pointed out the cameo appearance of himself and the book’s illustrator Mariana Ruiz Johnson? I just knew we needed to feature her on Studio Snapshots!
Also I wonder…who is that handsome bird in a hat at their table? That might have to remain a forever mystery. And now, let’s join Mariana as she takes us around her studio in Buenos Aires!
I’m an Argentinian illustrator and author, and I’m interested in exploring picture books of all kinds, from baby books to graphic novels. I have won some international contests such as the Compostela Illustrated Album Award, and the Silent Book Contest. I have published books on every continent, and my latest release in the United States is Luna Ranchera, written by Rodrigo Morlesin and published by Minerva.
My studio is a small room at the back of my house, in a residential neighborhood on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. To get to it, you have to cross a patio that we filled with plants.
There is a split glass window with blue and orange borders, which is what I like the most about that space, because it lets in the light and looks right at a monstera with impressively large leaves.
It is a very small space in which there is a desk with the computer, and the wacom cintiq. I have everything within reach, in drawers and shelves. I also posted some of my own drawings and those of my friends, which inspire me and make me feel accompanied.
When I have to do analog processes, I move everything to the side and spread out the paper and art materials.
Sometimes my black cat, Cuca, accompanies me.
Since I have small children and I like to change places to work, sometimes I move around the house and take “my studio” to different spaces. I like to share my materials and the creative process with them, so we often draw together, at the kitchen table or at a table in the patio. In that sense, it is common to see brushes and pencils in the kitchen, sketchbooks on the coffee table, Indian ink in the room where I sleep.
Images courtesy of Mariana Ruiz Johnson
I wake up early and draw every morning with coffee. My studio is on the ground floor of our house. I create my art digitally, and I’ve cycled through various types of tablet and various drawing programs – there are lots of good options. Recently I like Procreate with an iPad pro.
This is the room I use for layout, framing, anything that benefits from great light. It’s basically just windows and a big table.
Here you can see the table in an unusually clean state. Our house, where my studio is, was built in 1845, so it has great natural light. The windows still have the original glass, which is a little wavy, and I love how that softens everything.
I spent most of my time in the computer and printer room. I have my big monitor here and in the winter I put a heated carpet under my desk (we’re in New England so it’s chilly) and my dog loves that. In the late afternoon there’s really great light – it’s my favorite time in the studio especially in the spring and summer when the days are long.
This room is for zoom calls and collaborative work.
Today we’re featuring 
While I’m working on the illustrations, I use the computer to find reference photos and look up information I might need… and to entertain my ears with music. Once the final images are created, I send them straight to the computer through Dropbox. Then I can finalize the files, send them to the client, and do all of the other business involved in illustration.
The studio for creating traditional artwork is currently being used as a guest bedroom; the drafting table is folded down and the supplies are all put away. I hope to get back in there in the new year and make some paintings again, but in the meantime, my little digital corner of the basement is enough to keep me making all the artwork I need.