María Muñoz de Fernando is a contemporary Spanish illustrator whose work stands out for its stylized female figures full of color and movement. Her drawings appear not only in the fashion world but also at exclusive events and weddings, making her a highly sought-after creator for her personal and vibrant style.
You live and work in a rural environment. What do silence, light, and the rhythm of the countryside bring to your creative process?
“It literally is everything! The countryside and its rhythm help me connect with the inner silence from which all creativity develops. I’ve also surrounded myself with people who help me live more connected to myself and do what I truly want. In silence I discover how I really am because I can truly hear myself, and see if what I’m doing is something I genuinely want to do, or if it stems from a conditioned idea, from a fear, from wanting to achieve something… It’s an exercise in honesty with myself that’s reflected in the works I create. Also, I don’t separate ‘my personal life’ from ‘my life as an artist’ — for me it’s all the same, one life — and this environment where I live is where I want to develop my life. Everything I create as an artist comes from all the experiences I live, from my family, my partner, my friends… the creative process is truly happening all the time, even though art is the most visible way it’s appreciated.”
When was the first time you felt your work deeply moved someone?
“It’s difficult for me to remember a single moment. I’m lucky enough to experience it many times — from my mother every time she feels I’ve surpassed myself with a piece, to the reactions and gratitude of many couples when they see their illustration on their wedding day, to a mother who gives one of my works as a gift for her daughters and I can feel all the love she feels for them and be part of that.”
Is there an emotional story behind your first markers or sketchbook that you remember in detail?
“Can you believe I don’t even remember how I found the markers I paint with now? I’ve been drawing my whole life, and I cherish all the illustrations I’ve made since I was, I don’t know, about eight years old? There are two works I remember with a lot of love: one was the wedding dress of Queen Letizia. It was one of my first illustrations and even today, without looking back at it, I could draw it with my eyes closed. The other is the sketchbook from the project for the illustration course I took at Saint Martins when I was 15. It amazes me to see the creativity I developed in that work.”
How does a portrait change when you know the person in front of you?
"It changes completely. In fact, except for this Christmas season when I opened my schedule for very limited custom commissions, I never paint just from a photo, because having the person in front of me lets me see their energy, their character, their style… and all of that makes the stroke different, the pose, the expression on the face even if it’s very subtle… That’s why when I do custom commissions I like people to send me tons of photos so I can capture the essence, they tell me about their life, we talk on the phone…”
You draw fashion, but are you interested in illustrating a story, a book, about some fabric?
“I would love that! People know me for illustrating fashion, especially live illustration; but the reality is that I paint everything: oil, charcoal, portraits, on different materials… I love art and I want to explore literally everything!”
Are you interested in teaching?
“I enjoy it when I can share what I know based on my experience and see the satisfaction in others when they apply it and learn to do different things. I’ve never seriously considered teaching classes, but for example, I love painting with my cousins, with kids…”
Where is craftsmanship for you today? Is it a technique, an ethic, a way of living?
“For me, craftsmanship is still where it has always been: in art produced directly by the artist, which inherently carries their essence, their soul. It’s something that arises from a real person’s expression, that is not made just to please or sell, but has its own personality. This doesn’t mean it can’t be commercialized at all — but it comes from a real place. I understand it as sensitivity taking material form.”
How important are shoes to you in your daily life?
“Very! Without a doubt, they’re the piece I’ve always had the most of in my wardrobe. I love special shoes with personality and strength… I think they’re one of the most important pieces when creating a look, because they can make everything fit or make everything clash. I pay a lot of attention to other people’s shoes… (haha). That said, when choosing a shoe, for me the most important thing is that it’s comfortable.”
How would you design your perfect Cayumas?
“I think I would design very colorful ones! Bright, definitely — nothing basic ‘so they go with everything’, but rather lots of colors so they don’t go with anything and I can wear them when I want to make a fun look.”
What place in the world would you like to explore wearing your friulanas?
“With those blue ones… I can only think of Venice! I’d wear them walking its streets, to go to an opera, to explore all its palaces and galleries…”
