Carles Garcia O'Dowd

All

Animals

Black & White

Cartoon & Humour

Conceptual

Fantasy

Graphic

Lettering

Pop

Illustration inspired by Rosalia's Motomami album by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Underwater scene with fish, sharks, and coral reefs by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Colorful underwater coral reef with fish and marine creatures by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Isometric castle structure with blue, yellow, and purple blocks by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Intricate lobster and clam artwork on yellow background by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Craftsmanship meets astounding detail and imagination

Epic eye candy

Versatile and experienced, Carles delights his clients with his original ideas and dedication to his craft. He speaks six languages, has travelled throughout Europe and North America, and draws from an eclectic well of influences from Manga through to Ursula K Le Guin, and from cyberpunk to Roman and Mayan architecture. When you look at one of his illustrations, it’s impossible to look away without inspecting the intricate detail and falling into the deeper narrative and the message behind the creation. He has an MFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York and Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Barcelona.

Approach

Each image begins with a flurry of ideas, jotted down in an elaborate mind map of key words and doodles before the first sketches and compositions begin to form. Carles inks most of his images by hand then uses screenprinting techniques to colour his images, both of which show through in the finished aesthetic.

Style

Bold, vivid, exciting – Carles works in a cartoony, counterculture style with a strong activist vibe running through it.

Languages

Carles speaks English, Spanish, Catalan, French, German and Italian.

Awards

2021 – Fulbright Art Studies Scholarship 2007 – Rei en Jaume Comic Prize, Spain – First Prize

Impressions

Interview

Video

Send Enquiry

Interview

-What led you to become an illustrator? Did you study illustration in college (if so where)? Drawing has always been my passion. I naturally did it all the time for as long as I can remember. As I grew up, art, comics, animation, and video games fed my imagination and shaped my artistic brain. I studied Fine Arts in Barcelona, Hamburg, and Mexico. Those were years of experimentation, discovery, and expansion, where I also got into activism. After a year with the underground publisher LDC in Marseille, I devoted my twenties to activist projects and underground publishing. As I approached my thirties, I decided to pursue an Illustration MFA in New York with a Fulbright scholarship, at the School of Visual Arts. It was an important step towards consolidating a professional career. I believe Illustration is a bridge between art practice and everyday life. The communication potential it has is what keeps me excited about it. -Where did you grow up? I grew up as a child of immigrants on the island of Mallorca, Spain. My Dad was from mainland Spain and my mom is Irish. I’m proud of the place I grew up in, I spent my childhood swimming in the Mediterranean Sea and hiking in the mountains and was lucky to grow up speaking three languages. As much as Mallorca is a tourist destination for its beaches, it is an incredibly diverse and culturally rich place, full of history and with a very strong identity. -Do you have a childhood memory relating to drawing/art that you hold dear? I used to have an unhealthy obsession with Lara Croft when I was around 8 years old. I made my own cartoon version of her and would fill the pages of my sketchbooks with the same drawing of her. Over and over. -Where do you live now and what drew you there? My home base is currently in Brooklyn, New York. A craving for stepping up my game and pursuing a more professional career brought me here. After trying hard to settle in my homeland, I realized I needed to be in a big cosmopolitan city. I love it here because of all the diversity, cultures, and people from all over, as well as the great professional opportunities it offers. It is also an incredibly exciting place, where your whole life takes a U-turn every three months. -Describe your studio for us As much as I try to be a regular human with a proper workspace, life is always pushing me around and I end up having to fit my studio into a suitcase and Improvise wherever I go. In the last year, I have worked from my home in Brooklyn, shared a studio with friends in Mallorca, and squatted two living rooms in Mexico. At the moment, I am working from an ad-hoc studio in my Brooklyn apartment while I get a new proper space ready in the Dumbo neighborhood. Who or What is your biggest inspiration? Answering this question would take over too much space! How do you get your ideas? Mind mapping is my go-to method to get ideas flowing. It works especially well when I’m in transit, like in a train or airplane. What do you listen to when you work? What do you listen to when you’re illustrating? I have a weakness for youtube video essays about politics and pop culture. But when it comes to music, I usually tend to listen to mild music with a beat. It usually works for mechanical parts of the creative process like inking and coloring. Lately, I’ve been listening to Hania Rani, the Polish pianist. I also listen to anime and video game soundtracks, as well as indie, pop, rock, and electronic music. Spotify Playlist? Sure, how do I share it? What are your interests outside of illustration? Cooking, traveling, biking, and exploring the city… I am a very social person, so I really enjoy being around other people and sharing time with them. Activism was big part of me, love discussing philosophy and politics. I like being active physically…. best thing is Hiking and being out in nature. What is the first record you bought? White Pony by the Deftones What was your favorite assignment ever? The poster for Viñarrock festival in Spain. It was an absolute gift, an opportunity to go wild. I populated a whole festival with yoyos, my original characters that represent humanity. I was able to dress them up as rockers, punks, hippies and ravers and put them in the craziest situations. Furthermore, it was an incredible feeling to see my work printed on such a large scale, covering huge stages where some of the most legendary rock bands in Spain played. What would be your dream commission? The Glastonbury or Coachella festival posters, an album cover for Bad Bunny, a colorful campaign for apparel brands like Nike or Adidas, sky is the limite really. One thing I have always thought about is how much I would love to join a scientific research boat and craft a narrative project about ecosystems or climate change. Maybe an organization like National Geographic coils be interested, lol What is the best use of illustration you have ever seen? The work of the Beehive Design Collective, in Maine… collectively drawn educational tools to bring communities together, promote discussion and inspire taking action to build a better world. What makes a good client brief? Clarity, examples of your previous world that fit into the vision, space to add some personal mojo… but above all, clarity on what the client wants, both in technical terms and content. I love it when there is a research part, something anthropological beyond just graphics. How much of your work is hand drawn? 85% I would say… the only digital part is color. I occasionally draw directly on the Ipad, but nothing compares to the feeling of inking with a dip pen on nice thick cotton paper Who is your art hero? Grayson Perry Who is your design hero? Paula Scherr Who is your music hero? Björk, MIA and Grimes… but Bjork is the absolute queen If you were not an illustrator, what would you be? An actor in a Pedro Almodóvar movie or a marine biologist in a research boat. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? Find your own audience… my art has never exactly fitted in one specific box, and at times it’s been something very confusing to grow with. A friend said this to me out drinking one night when I was 23 or so… It really resonated with me at the time and made me re-think my approach to my practice. Since then, my commitment has always been to making the best art I can and letting the rest happen, instead of making art for a specific profile or for the social media algorithm. In the long run, I can more and more see how much this makes sense and how it has been the key to developing a genuine and fulfilling career. If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go? Chernobyl, if radiation wasn’t a threat. I've always wanted to do a bike-trip through the whole of Japan… like a long trip with no hurry. Oh, and a city I’ve been very geeked out about lately is ChongQin, in China. All my chinese friends tell me I would love it because it’s like my drawings. Traveling and living abroad has been a huge part of my life. It helped me grow, make friends, expand, learn languages… priceless experiences that shaped who I am. However, the global tourism industry is slowly turning experiences into commodities and homogenizing every place in the world into an instagram-friendly theme park. I usually like going somewhere where I have a good friend I can stay with or a project to work on. Have you any hidden talents? Juggling is something I did for a long time as a teenager. At the time, I was dreaming of being a circus performer. If you could live anywhere, where would it be? I’m happy to be In New York at the moment… but I;ve fantasized about living for a while in so many places… Mexico City, Tokio, Shanghai, Hong Kong If you could travel back in time, who would be the one person you would want to meet and why? Probably Jesus Christ, to see what he actually did in his lifetime and how that correlates with what is written about him now. What themes or content in the world inspires you? International politics, philosophy, religion, anthropology, mythologies, pop culture, movies, videogames How do you keep on trend and up to date in our quickly changing industry? Through youtube and keeping a healthy relationship with my illustrator friends in NY and Europe What is your go-to comfort food? Pasta, the greatest invention of all time. Cheap, easy to prepare, nourishing, and versatile What movie can you watch over and over? Ghost in the Shell… the original anime, not the recent real-life actor disaster! I consider this movie to be perfect, I often listen to the Soundtrack while I draw. And Pink Flamingos, the best piece of media the US has gifted to the world. The dialogues are hilarious and make me lough every time to this day What is the last show you binged? White Lotus… it kept me awake while finishing a big commission What was the last exhibition you saw and loved? “Estamos Bien”, the 20/21 triennial exhibition at the Museo del Barrio, in Harlem. It was all Latinx art and every piece was extremely political, playful, and with lots to say. I hadn’t been so stimulated by an Art show in ages and got me and my friend talking for hours afterwards. What was the last concert you went to? Ayax y Prok, two twin rappers from Granada. It was part of the Viñarrock festival in Spain, the event I did all the graphics for. What is your favourite book? The Dispossessed, by the legendary Ursula K le Guin. I wish everyone in the world read it at school. What do you do when you have creative block? I go for a bike ride or I cook What is your go-to karaoke song? “Common People” and “Disco 2000” by Pulp. And if I have a singing partner to do Freddy Mercury, “Under pressure” by David Bowie Which languages can you speak? Spanish, Catalan, English, German, Italian, French, and a tiny bit of Mandarin What is your favourite quote? -”In a thousand years, there will be no men and women, just wankers” MArk Renton, Trainspotting Is there any random thing you consider yourself an expert on? Oral storytelling and public speaking

Favourites

{"playlistTitle":"","playlistUrl":"","metaTitle":"","metaDescription":""}

Surreal machine with 'The Success' and 'Work' signs in turbulent sea by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Skeleton with colorful sombrero floating over a forest, artwork by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Surreal floating structure with a neon 'Dreams' sign by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Intricate black and white abstract drawing by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Surreal carnival scene with robots and strange creatures by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Surreal floating mechanical structure with 'Success' sign in turbulent water by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Skeleton mariachi playing guitar in mystical forest at night by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Surreal mechanical figure with purple clouds and yellow background by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Cartoon characters on mountain path with scenic background by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Hand holding a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer

Zoom

Find similar

Person speaking on stage with Power of Community banner behind

Zoom

Find similar

Illustration of a man in a blue suit holding a smartphone and briefcase by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Black and white drawing of a sneaker with cartoon characters and words like GO, ME, HYPE, DROP

Zoom

Find similar

Album cover with cartoon creatures playing instruments by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Intricate black and white surreal illustration by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Intricate industrial machine with pipes and gauges by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Discover Viña Rock Music Festival Poster

Zoom

Find similar

Mad scientist with mutant creature and monstrous beast in lab by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Cartoon characters on table with food and drinks by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Abstract tiger artwork with vibrant orange and blue swirls by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Cartoon crowd celebrating around Cutty Sark whiskey bottle by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Colorful illustration of a skull surrounded by red flowers and a glass of drink by Carles Garcia O'D

Zoom

Find similar

Grotesque jester writing at desk surrounded by candles and skulls by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Animated poster for UFC 275 in Singapore

Zoom

Find similar

Editorial illustration about blaming robot by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Surreal black and white drawing of tree branches with snails and various objects by Carles Garcia O'

Zoom

Find similar

Zoom

Find similar

Illustration of many sheep beneath pink banner saying love loudness beats hate by Carles Garcia O'Do

Zoom

Find similar

Mural of blooming cherry blossom branches on blue wall by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Illustration in black and white of roller skates

Zoom

Find similar

Zoom

Find similar

Magazine cover illustration for "Estudios de Juventud"

Zoom

Find similar

Line and color drawing of Topoids enjoying

Zoom

Find similar

Zoom

Find similar

Zoom

Find similar

Zoom

Find similar

Festive cartoon animals joyfully riding a red sleigh with presents by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Poster for the 2014 Berlin Tattoo Circus

Zoom

Find similar

Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Selected illustrations

Zoom

Find similar

Intricate mechanical structure drawing with gears and pipes by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Close-up of lips with colorful beaded dental jewelry by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Surreal floating machine surrounded by purple and red smoke, detailed artwork by Carles Garcia O'Dow

Zoom

Find similar

Isometric fantasy altar with candles, flowers, and mystical figures

Zoom

Find similar

Surreal detailed illustration of witch hunt scene by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Black and white drawing of a mechanical structure by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Surreal VAT machine with mechanical and organic parts by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Intricate floating cityscape illustration by Carles Garcia O'Dowd in monochrome

Zoom

Find similar

Vibrant metaverse scene with robotic hands and digital characters by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Hand holds Sun Ra Emperor of the Impossible poster with fiery design

Zoom

Find similar

Hand holding transparent cup with detailed black and white doodles and text.

Zoom

Find similar

Viña Rock 2023 festival poster displayed outdoors by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Colorful digital art of influencer riding skateboard, ocean waves, by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Surreal black and white cityscape with cosmic and symbolic elements by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Intricate surreal cityscape with abstract shapes and figures by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Black and white ocean life illustration with whales by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Man in dark room with vintage rotary phone and letters by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Illustration showing US Capitol as a slot machine with American flag, by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Two cartoon characters toasting drinks, colorful and animated by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Anthropomorphic animals in a bustling bar, illustration by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Diver exploring icy shipwreck at night under red sky by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Futuristic soldiers wearing glowing visors in a starry night scene by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Comic panel of diverse smiling characters by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Artist Carles Garcia O'Dowd drawing detailed black and white illustration with pen

Zoom

Find similar

Illustration of busy tennis tournament with players, spectators, and amenities

Zoom

Find similar

Black and white hot air balloon with LOVE TENEBRAE text by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Illustration of a red-bearded man riding a bicycle with dog and camping gear by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Black cats hiding among white sheep in overcrowded field by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Surreal space scene with floating astronauts and detailed cosmic objects by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Colorful isometric illustration of Tubos y Conexiones hardware store

Zoom

Find similar

Intricate mechanical train and gears in vibrant red and orange hues by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Intricate time machine with glowing tubes and mechanical parts by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Illustration for the album cover of Wolves in Business Suits

Zoom

Find similar

Giant artwork depicting tourism's impact

Zoom

Find similar

Concept design of Spanish culture valentine

Zoom

Find similar

Zoom

Find similar

Posters raising awareness for protecting marine habitats

Zoom

Find similar

Zoom

Find similar

Colorful market scene with diverse characters and animals by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Intricate whimsical building with Goxxos and Mihad signs and many small characters by Carles Garcia

Zoom

Find similar

Whimsical hot air balloon with large eyes and colorful balloons by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Isometric classroom interior with students and sculpture by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Surreal vibrant cityscape illustration by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Surreal urban garden with strange machinery and plants by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Illustration of a character with speakers and flag by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Intricate mechanical space station with pipes and clouds, black and white drawing by Carles Garcia O

Zoom

Find similar

Intricate floating cityscape above clouds by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Two speakers present 'Back for the Future' artwork at event by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Surreal urban garden with plants and vehicles by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

3D colorful event poster for youth information days in April 2018 by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Carles Garcia O'Dowd draws an official poster for Tropicana Dreams

Zoom

Find similar

Intricate surreal black and white drawing by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Colorful pixel art mural in dark gallery with empty chairs

Zoom

Find similar

Billboard with German text above green train and bare trees outdoors

Zoom

Find similar

Viña Rock outdoor stage with large sign and sound equipment

Zoom

Find similar

UFC 93 fight poster on concrete wall by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Colorful illustration of people, a dinosaur, coffee, and vintage objects

Zoom

Find similar

Black and white surreal fantasy scene with intricate architecture and organic shapes by Carles Garci

Zoom

Find similar

Detailed mechanical industrial structure drawing by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Black and white drawing of giant person building Brooklyn Bridge fencing club

Zoom

Find similar

Black Walrus t-shirt with colorful graphic and holiday tickets by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Cartoon characters showering with foam under pipes by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Cartoon character jumping with electric guitar, vibrant colors by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Colorful surreal album cover with cartoon characters and a bright sign by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Comic artwork of giant walrus attacking city with planes and explosions by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Cartoon grapes with faces around DJ speakers and turntable by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Illustration of a hammerhead shark swimming with fish by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Colorful metaverse scene with robots and humans by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Intricate factory machinery and workers in black and white illustration by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Isometric office building with workers and My Company My Voice text by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Neon sign reading I love NY with a basketball, by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Illustration of a man reading his phone with briefcase by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Pabst Blue Ribbon Can Art Contest Animated Film

Zoom

Find similar

Illustration of World where borders are abolished, and refugees are welcome

Zoom

Find similar

Intricate floral skull drawing by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Survivors share meal and stories around fire in post-apocalyptic scene by Carles Garcia O'Dowd

Zoom

Find similar

Poster to raise funds for helping Syrian refugees

Zoom

Find similar

Guangzhou's "Singularity Fest" comic festival poster

Zoom

Find similar

Jellyfish limited edition posters for University of the Balearic Islands

Zoom

Find similar

Zoom

Find similar

Zoom

Find similar