We were lucky to catch up with Berta Artigal recently and have shared our conversation below.

Berta, appreciate you joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Luckily since 2016 I can make a full living from my work as a creator. I am freelance and work on different illustration assignments, mural projects and my own projects. I also teach drawing, creativity and mural workshops for children and young people, it is an aspect in which I also learn and enjoy a lot. So combining the different projects and my role as a workshop leader, I live off my creativity and I enjoy and am very grateful to be able to do it.
It has not always been like this, while I was studying and at first, I combined my artistic work with different jobs such as: waitress, dishwasher, lifeguard, babysitter… I think I learned a lot in all these jobs, the truth is I also really enjoyed some of them , but I always remember to draw, create…it is my passion and I really feel super lucky to be able to make a living from it.

Berta, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Berta Artigal and I have always loved drawing, painting and creating things with my hands. I studied illustration and graphic design in Tarragona and Barcelona. And since 2016 I have been lucky enough to be able to dedicate myself to working as an illustrator on different projects such as: posters, prints, packaging, books, wine labels… In 2018 in Berlin I discovered mural painting and I loved it, I enjoy intervening in spaces with my drawings, and seeing how they interact with the spaces and the people who inhabit them. I have painted murals in bars, schools, hotels, a hospital, an orphanage facades… and it has allowed me to experience, travel and learn about different cultures, which is something I am passionate about! You can find my murals in Berlin, Dresden, Prague, Bruges, Marrakech, Kenya, Barcelona, ​​Tarragona…
I also give drawing, murals and creativity workshops for children and young people, I learn a lot from children since they are very free and I really enjoy this facet.
I am passionate about combining my different facets as an illustrator, muralist and workshop designer. I enjoy changing, experimenting and learning in these areas, without pigeonholing myself and learning and experimenting.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Living from an artistic or related profession is not the most stable thing in the world haha, it is not an easy task, but in reality right now in this world there are not many professions or easy tasks… I think that living from art is like being on a mountain russa, sometimes uncertain, sometimes scary but other times it is exciting, fun and for me the experience is enriching and a journey of self-knowledge. Being able to offer people your illustrations, your murals, your artistic projects, workshops… and for people to like them, enjoy them or generate something for them… is very rewarding. Being a freelancer is complicated, it’s scary at first, but on the other hand, being able to be your own boss, work on different projects, move around, and have the freedom to create your way of earning a living is very enriching and rewarding for me.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

For me, drawing is a very powerful form of expression. In difficult moments of my life, drawing and painting have helped me a lot to heal wounds. I believe in the power of art as therapy. I think that with my works or murals I can transmit feelings, talk about social issues, create artivism… I think that art is a very powerful channel.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bertaartigal.com
• Instagram: @bertaartigal
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BertaArtigalillu/

Image Credits
Berta Artigal Berta Artigal Citric Restaurant Sunflower hostel