This month’s art is by Luis Patiño Cantellano, an illustrator based in Idaho. He loves plants and designs colorful and playful characters. Lewis is at his best when surrounded by mountains and the love of cedars. “Whenever I see a lonely plant sprout in a damaged environment, I see it as a sign of hope and recovery. “I like to think about it,” he says.
To learn a little more about Lewis, check out our short Q&A.
Where is home for you?
I currently live in Nampa, Idaho
What is your definition of a successful life?
My definition of a successful life is doing something fun every day without it feeling like work.
Describe your perfect day.
A perfect day for me is hiking in the mountains on a sunny day surrounded by beautiful nature.
How did you get into the world of design?
My design journey began when I was still in elementary school. I loved drawing plants on my homework, desk, and various other surfaces. A few years ago, I realized that I have always had a strong connection with plants, so I decided on the username “Niño Plant” Plant Boy. .
Where do you get your inspiration from?
These days, my inspiration comes from random objects I see inside and outside my home or things I’ve confined myself to a small space, but plants are always my source of inspiration.
What is your dream design project?
My dream project is to one day paint a large mural in a city to show my love for plants.
Who are the designers and thinkers who influence or inspire you?
A designer who inspired me a lot and still influences me is Sha’an d’Anthes, also known as Furrylittlepeach. Her use of color motivated me to explore and experiment with color like never before. Previously it was always grayscale with graphite, but when I found her page, a door opened for me. I quickly stepped out of my comfort zone and gave my work a fresh start.
What is the inspiration behind this design?
My inspiration behind this design is how strong plants can be in even the harshest of environments. Being able to recover and adapt to new challenges shows how resilient someone or something is.
How does the theme of resilience impact your life?
Resilience has impacted my life in many ways. Resilience has taught me to never give up on my dreams, even when the going gets tough. It can be difficult at times, especially when it comes to selling my work, but that hasn’t stopped me from creating and learning from my mistakes.
What is your favorite so far…
Color: Green
Food: Pizza
Song: Music Sounds Better with You Composer: Neil Frances
Quote: “Out of my rotting body a flower has bloomed, and I am in it. It is eternal.” – Edvard Munch
