Where do you reside and work currently? I reside and work in Mont-roig, Spain. The village in Catalonia Spain where Joan Miró had his studio and farm.
How would you describe Marcel Aragones? An art lover. A free, happy and creative spirit. Someone who needs to express himself through art, forms and colors. I have a positive living philosophy.
Did you have any training or is it inherent? It’s totally inherent. The only training I know is to paint and draw every day. Art schools or teachers can teach you techniques, how to apply different materials. But I think the real school is on the street and in the studio. You must dirty a lot of paper and canvas and discover your own way and style. I’ve always thought that a teacher can influence you too much as you tend to work to like him and not to express yourself freely.
When did you first start making art and what lead you to start? My father was drawing since he was a child and I began to make art beside him. I remember those afternoons drawing with him. I think he was my first influence and who injected me the love for art. Later I was musician and composer for several years, I needed to create! Now my work and inspiration is only dedicated to painting.
Best advice you ever received in regards to your art? I am fortunate to have met Joan Miró. I was 9 years old and I met him in my village. I told him that I wanted to be a painter and I can remember perfectly what he said: “Just draw and paint everyday”.
Your art has echoes of street art, can you explain is that an accurate assessment? I love the art of the street, I love the cities and something magical happens when you discover a good piece of street art. Surely it is not a conscious influence on my work, but as with some influences, sometimes we are not aware of having them. Art was born in caves and on walls, it is always good to remember.
What is art to you? Art is everything, art is life, happiness, joy, pleasure, charm, wildness, emotion, music for the eye.
What are you searching for through your paintings? Art should nourish and brighten our spaces and lives. I do not want art to be something sad, dull or depressive. This is why my paintings mostly present energetic and passionate color-play, forms and marks as the central elements. I see my paintings as delightful melodies. As Joan Miró said, “a simple line with the brush can lead to freedom and happiness.“ It is also one of my principles: to be happy, inspiring and to share happiness and the feeling of freedom to those who contemplate my work, even if it is just a simple line.
Your paintings are they a dream or what is the source behind them? Vincent van Gogh said “I dream my paintings and I paint my dreams”… I can say that some of my paintings are born from dreams. Sometimes I get out of bed at midnight and I must draw things that I have in mind. I sleep with a sketchbook beside me. I used to dream that I’m painting and some ideas and projects come from the dreams.
Some of your pieces are extremely intricate, and time consuming, what is the longest you have spent on a piece? I am fortunate to have a very large studio. That allows me to work on several paintings at the same time. I do not calculate the hours that I dedicate to a work, I only care about the fun I get while I create them. Perhaps some works have taken me over 40 hours.
How would you like to be seen as an artist years from now? If someone thinks of me like an artist I will feel more than satisfied. The big prize is that people think of me as an artist that makes their lives happy and puts out a smile or a great moment of satisfaction while watching my works.
Do you have a place/person/thing that you visit for inspiration? Yes, I have two places that are like a religion for me. The most important for me is the red mountain over my village, Ermita de la Roca, in Mont-roig (painted by Joan Miró too), and the other one is Joan Miró farm and studio, in Mont-roig. Sometimes I also need a guitar for inspiration!
If you could have dinner with 3 artists living/dead who would be at your table? Only three??? ???? Joan Miró, Jackson Pollock and Keith Haring.
Name three things you can’t live without in your studio? White paper, black ink and Red Bull.
How would someone find you on Social media? I’m only on Instagram. I have an account that has helped me to contact with very interesting people, meet new friends and fabulous artists from around the world.
“www.instagram.com/marcel.aragones”
you can purchase Gabriele’s work in the BUY section.
