Chichinabo: little stories in ceramics
Listening to his clients, understanding their wishes and delivering them in illustration in his works is nothing less than his mission.
Patricia Lázaro, Chichinabo on Instagram, manages to capture in her ceramic pieces something as important and special as those little stories that happen to us in our lives. We'll tell you more about her below.
Tell us about yourself and your work. Where did your vocation start? Any first memories?
More than a vocation, mine was a succession of coincidences that I arrived at by intuition. I never thought I was going to dedicate myself to illustrating, and even less so the lives of people in ceramics, but the creative world always caught my attention. I studied Advertising and Public Relations, Fashion Design and did a Masters in Textile and Surface Design where I was taught to decorate ceramics with decals. Chichinabo came later, encouraged by an acquaintance who did what you have to do when you want to achieve something: set yourself an unavoidable deadline.
What do you find most satisfying about your work?
People contact me to make unique gifts that show how special the other person is to them. They tell me their lives, their stories and anecdotes and we live the design process hand in hand. When they write to me with emotion and thank me for bringing a tear to their eye, I love it! I think... we did it!!!! It's a wonderful feeling.
Any that you are particularly proud of?
I once designed a coffee mug for a girl who wanted to propose to her boy, and I loved being part of that special moment in their lives. From my own collections, which I sell on my web ChichinaboThe ones I am most proud of are undoubtedly the Galician basins.
What is your creative process like, what are your sources of inspiration, any particular music while working?
A lot of my work is based on listening to people and understanding what they want to say. Translating it into concepts with my illustrations and then fitting all those pieces of the puzzle together to make it look beautiful on top of the pieces they have chosen. As for my musical tastes, they're very eclectic, so if you pass by my place you can catch me listening to anything from jazz to Extremo Duro, and everything in between... imagine that.
Favourite colour, book, film and record - in that order! ;D
I don't play favourites in anything, as I believe that everything has its moment and why and these change. In general I like things that are harmonious, calm but cheerful with a surprising touch.
Is your home a reflection of who you are? Tell us what it smells like, your favourite corner, your favourite decorative object or piece of furniture, if you treasure a collection... And if you have a pet, introduce it to us!
I have a theory that if you really want to get to know someone, all you have to do is go into their house (perhaps a photo should be mandatory on any dating website worth its salt, hehehe). Therefore, my house is absolutely my reflection. Throughout my life I've moved quite a few times and they always end up saying... 'it's very you' and I love that.
Right now, I've bought a house (I fell in love with its tiled floors and rounded corners) and I'm in the middle of renovating, so I'm looking forward to unpacking all my stuff and finding a new place for it. I'm crazy about second-hand markets, antiques, and I love having plants at home (although I'm not very good at them yet...).
If you could buy anything right now and take it home, what would it be? Anything!
Rather than buy me, I would hire an army of Oompa Loompas to finish my work in 1 week.
A great plan at home always includes...
Music. No doubt about it.
Do you have a signature dish?
Chicken nuggets. I don't know what my secret is yet, but everyone tells me they turn out amazing and I can't help making them at any event.
Where is your favourite place in your city and abroad?
Any quiet area where I can have a beer in the sun can suit me. The Plaza de Chamberí is a good place. Abroad, I'm in love with the Netherlands.
Anything you want to tell us that we haven't asked you, speak now or forever hold your peace!
Without a doubt, another place where I feel at home is my studio-shop at 58 Modesto Lafuente street in Madrid. There I spend most of my time designing, receiving people and preparing orders and, of course, it is a 100% reflection of who I am and what I like.
