Here at Chulo we wanted to showcase the creatives with a Q&A to dive a little deeper into the Artists inner workings - today we spotlight newest member, Cátia Martins.

Tell us a bit about what keeps your creative juices flowing, do you search for inspiration or does it come naturally? 

It depends, sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and have to sketch an idea I just saw in my mind before it vanishes, other times if feels like I don't know what I'm doing and so I just go out for a walk and observe people and situations around me, or just spend hours sketching nonsense until something good shows up. I try not to stress out when I don't have good ideas, it will eventually come back to me!

What's been your favourite project to date and why? 

I am currently working on my first graphic novel, E-cells, and it has been my favourite project by far because I've had the ideas for this project in my had ever since I was a kid and in a way I just want to make my inner child proud. Sounds cheesy, but it's true!

Tell us a bit about your process, do you start off searching for reference and sketching? 

I only have references for anatomy/poses, it usually starts with an image of a character in my head and then me trying the best way to bring it to life. I draw on my sketchbook, then proceed to do the linework on an A3 paper sheet, color it with my home made watercolors and also color it digitally. I like having original sketches and watercolor pieces, digital art can feel a little empty on its own, for me of course, that's just my personal opinion.

What made you want to pursue a career in the arts and do you have any tips for up and coming artists looking to do the same. 

I didn't want to pursue a career in arts, it just happened. I've been drawing my whole life, and suddenly people were asking me if I sold merchandise with my work on it, I was very young when this happened and still in school, so I started making money from my work even before I graduated, and it just kept going from there. It's a wonderful life but the downside is that you never know if it is going to last, one day you could book a huge commission, the other day you find yourself with no clients and no costumers, and I sure had phases in which I struggled a little, it's risky, but I would be doing exactly this even if I made no money from it, I'd just find some kind of job to cover my needs and keep doing it no matter what. So my advice is, keep doing it because you really want to, don't let the lack of success make you give up, and on the other hand, if you are having a very successful phase in your career, don't take it for granted and be open to always improve, don't get caught up in the "I'm a great professional artist" narrative because it will keep you from evolving, there is always something to learn in this life path, you will never know enough or be so great there is nothing to improve. 

Check out CÁTIA MARTINS latest work here. For more portfolios from Chulo Creatives Artist stable click through here , also get in touch with Chulo Creative if you are interested in commissioning an artist for your next campaign.