Nívola Uyá

It has happened to us before, that the season in which we enter does not usually correspond with the character and spirit of the artist we present. It is a common idea —not shared by us— that winter is a sad, cold, and dark season, which invites one to stay at home by the warmth of the fire or stove. And, from time to time, it happens that we come across artists who convey a completely opposite idea to coldness and sadness. So, when this happens, we cannot help but think that… we are in luck!

And the thing is… there is nothing better than being protected from the winter cold, discovering the contrast created by an artist with warmth and positivity in her ideas, like Nívola Uyá. This Valencian, living on the island of Mallorca, devoted to people, dialogue, and the humanities, gives us her art in the form of drawings for children's books and educational material, especially. Nevertheless, she also conveys her emotions through mural painting, and she has even dabbled—and what dabbling—in the creation of animated videos. It is worth noting that, initially, Nívola Uyá arrived on the islands as a graduate in environmental sciences, and there the circumstances led her to illustrate stories. Unknowingly, art ran uncontrollably through the veins of this Valencian, and Mallorca introduced her to us.

Nívola Uyá is inspired by the nature of its surroundings to create its illustrations, the sea, the mountains, the flora, and the fauna that the Balearic Islands convey to it. Although the main protagonist of its paintings is the woman, as an icon of sensitivity and feeling, a very positive trend that we detect in current illustration, and that it has already shown usLucía García, our guest artist of the summer of 2021.

The drawings of our Valencian artist are fresh and sensitive illustrations that form a perfect match with texts from modern children's stories. In fact, such a union brings to life books that attract the curious hands of girls and boys, and the admiring gaze of adults upon the metamorphosis of a children's book into a work of art.

On a getaway to Dublin, Nívola Uyá meets the musical group Verona Riots. He is enchanted by the illustrator's creativity and commissions her to createthe cover of his 2nd album, as well as from the wonderful music video of their main song, “Live For The Moment. Don't miss it!

Photographs: David Delgado Ruiz

Creative process of the mural 'Sowing Health' in Artà

Interior of the book “A Forest Bath” – 2019

The creative process reminds me every day of the capacity for transformation that we people have. It is a source of life, a motor for change, also a balm and a refuge for gray days. This is how I have spent 10 years, cultivating creativity and beauty.

I have created art for murals, campaigns, animations, illustrated books, and my own work. I like to work calmly, pay attention to detail, and create images with soul, full of hope, magic, and transformation. The vision of uniqueness and a naturalistic sensitivity are present in my perspective.

Environmental Sciences, the holistic vision, and curiosity are ingredients that nourish my process. Meditation or a slower lifestyle, independence, and a dreamy character give it wings. The artisanal, traditional techniques, and the manipulation of materials by hand, just as I experienced in my childhood, are the vehicle.

The process has always been relevant in my creation, how it nourishes the what.

I am interested in the dialogue between illustration and other disciplines: music, performing arts, audiovisual, animation, poetry, gastronomy… all fascinating, and with this spirit I embark on multidisciplinary projects enriching the languages.

My latest project is a wordless book:“Silencio”, published by Cuento de Luz, I worked with cut-out illustrations, with which I assembled the scenes, which I photographed in a homemade lightbox. Dispensing with the written word gives us a moment of silence and is an invitation to create your own story.

I also love conducting workshops and talks on illustration, creativity, and Nature in different destinations, convinced that the creative process and contact with Nature bring out the best in people and make us more sensitive, observant, and aware.

Regarding future directions, I am immersed in developing and giving value to techniques, materials, and tools to create inspired by nature. I am interested in continuing to build bridges between Art and Nature, researching and learning about natural processes and materials that the forests and gardens of our environment offer us. With this project, you can find me alongside Marc Ayats inStrokes of Forest. Creating experiences of creativity and connection with nature is a good way to rethink and take care of the Earth.

Cover of the book 'Asali and The Legend of the Baobab'

I share with Phoenix Arts the vision that we are Nature and creation, so happy to be the artist of this winter and to welcome it together. Here it goes!

“Winter, today I embrace you, with your arrival the days begin to lengthen. You are fire, coal, wool, also cold, wind, and seeds. You give us this moment to observe our roots and go to the reunion with essence, wisdom, and intuition. You are the light that makes its way, illuminating our home, our lives, and our creation.”

Happy to enjoy together this period of renewal and rebirth.