We were lucky to catch up with Claudia Corrales recently and have shared our conversation below.
Claudia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?
Honestly, these are question I ask myself all the time. However, now that I am in search of internships, soon to be graduated, and almost ready to face the real world outside of school, I get discouraged by the great competitivity in the field. That is when I start asking these questions to myself, and believe me when I tell you, that they put me in track again: they are reinforcements to keep believing in myself as an artist. Why? Because I have worked as a graphic designer before, in companies where they would not allow me to be “too creative” and I had to follow just orders with no questioning. Back in those days I was very sad, I thought it would be like that forever and I would never enjoy my job. That was one of the reasons that I decided to learn about and pursue what I really like: Illustrating. So yeah, I think about having a regular job and I am hoping not to go back there again. I am working hard to look for a job I am good at and that I can love.
Claudia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
When I was a kid I loved watching anime, I especially loved “Card Captor Sakura”. The Japanese animation introduced me to a whole different world full of beautiful art with great fantastic stories and I could never leave it. That inspiration made me want to copy those beautiful girls and that is how I started drawing. Later on, I started creating my own “mangas” or Japanese comics about fictional stories about myself. All of that turned me in the “draftsman” of my class and I never stopped from there. Subsequently, it was time for college, and as some might know, when looking for creative/artistic careers in Latin America is not the most pleasant thing to do because it is not as “prestigious” as other careers are. The most “creative” ones I thought could work, were Architecture or Interior Design. Although, I managed to convince my dad to study Graphic Design. After my graduation I started working in Peru for 3 years and then I decided to study abroad. My first stop was in Scotland where I studied a Master in Comics, and it was amazing. The year after, I took my bags and shift to the US where I am studying my dream field, illustration (comics is very related as well) at an amazing school: Savannah College of Art and Design.
Thinks I really like, are telling stories and spreading joy through visual components. My style is cute, happy, vibrant, and colorful. I am inclined to work in visual development for animation. But I also like working with my graphic design skills and illustration (both together are a great team) and it works well for book illustration, lettering, and surface design, I wish to have an online store one day. Furthermore, I am a very proud Peruvian and I apply what I know from my culture in my illustrations and stories: the love for food, colorful palettes and textures, and traditions.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I am a Christian so I believe God gave me this talent to help people (somehow) and to help them be more hopeful, so I am working hard to become better and do more beautiful art that can help someone smile.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
People telling me that my illustrations make them happy. Nowadays, we see so many sad things every day, so I truly believe the world needs more joy and if I can help a little bit, that makes me happy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chumpillustrations.myportfolio.com/
- Instagram: @holochumpi
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariaclaudiacorrales/
- Other: My email address: [email protected]