What first connected you to The One Club?

I received an email years ago inviting me to participate in Young Guns. This happened two years in a row. The first year, I didn’t dare apply because I saw the incredible portfolios, work, and clients of the winners, and I felt I didn’t stand a chance. The second year, I gathered the courage, and here we are!

What inspires you about your home country?

I’m from Temuco, in southern Chile, where I lived for 18 years. Like any city outside the capital, it has unique qualities. It’s known as the gateway to Patagonia, surrounded by volcanoes and countryside. While I wouldn’t say there’s something entirely unique about it, being closer to nature is always inspiring and liberating, especially during the formative years of life when it’s most needed.

Is there a place, music, or environment that fuels your creativity?

Japan has been my biggest creative fuel in recent years. I’ve visited twice, staying for months each time, and my husband and I recently bought a house in Kyoto, where we plan to return annually for inspiration. When it comes to music, I like to pick a decade and explore it. This year, it’s been the ’80s across different countries—Spanish pop, Japanese city pop, and Latin American rock, among others.

Who makes up your creative community?

My community consists of my Wacom, cat, husband, desk, and a cup of coffee. So instances when I am a part of a creative community, like all the amazing people I met during the Young Guns awards or being on a competition jury, force me to interact with amazing and inspiring people, and I'm very grateful for it.

In a world that often feels overly individualistic, it’s a relief to feel like you belong, or at least identify with being part of something bbigger. Being a part of the jury again this year. It allows me to see what new generations are doing and stay updated, which is incredibly important in this field!

What motivates you to complete challenging projects?

I try not to think of them as complex and break them down into smaller tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed. I’m usually inspired by almost all the commissions I receive. I love learning about new topics brought to me by clients, whether it’s a book, an article, or a fun campaign. It’s a great way to explore themes beyond myself. Of course, traveling constantly is another source of inspiration. I get anxious staying in one place, worrying that something like another pandemic could happen, and I wouldn’t have taken the opportunity to be outside. It probably stems from spending so much time working on a computer. Drawing funny stuff is my dream job, so I thank God every day that I can do it for a living.

“Drawing funny stuff is my dream job, so I thank God every day that I can do it for a living.”

Include an expression that reflects who you are in this spread.

I really like the Spanish saying, “Al que madruga, Dios le ayuda” (God helps those who wake up early). It rhymes and represents the simplicity with which I approach my craft—working hard, getting up early, and trusting the process!

How do you approach a creative project from scratch?

I have six or more Maneki Neko on my desk and a deck of tarot cards that help me to feel that luck is on my side.

How do you measure the success of your work?

Whenever I see that someone’s profile picture is one of my toads or raccoons, I know I did something right.

How do you support your ongoing professional development?

I'm an internet millennial kid, so YouTube is the answer for everything.

What is your favorite project you have worked on?

My favorite project is my weekend illustration column with The New York Times. It is my baby and keeps me grounded and feeling like a real professional adult.

How do you feel about professional creative awards?

They are important to be a professional, paid artist. If there were no awards or contests, how would you know you can charge people to draw a frog riding a dolphin?

“If there were no awards or contests, how would you know you can charge people to draw a frog riding a dolphin?”

I have won Young Guns, am an AI42 Winner, shortlisted for WIA2023, and was recognized by Forbes as one of Chile’s 50 most powerful women.

What were your creative outlets when you were a kid?

Drawing and playing Rayman with my sisters.

If you could give a younger you a piece of advice, what would it be?

Keep doing all the wrong stuff that you are doing.

“Keep doing all the wrong stuff that you are doing.”

What are your goals for 2025?

To publish my first toad coloring book. “The toad bible” hopefully available soon on Amazon.

If we came to visit you, what are the top three spots we must go to?

Confiteria central in Temuco city, parque Saval en Valdivia, or any place in Valdivia.

In what ways do you incorporate AI into your work?

AI is my secretary. I’m a cheap person and I don’t want to spend money on bureaucratic things so ChatGPT helps me with that.

What is your go-to coffee order?

Cappuccino with whole milk and Splenda.

Who in The One Club community do you admire?

Adam Izen. He does the most amazing creatures for theatre and other purposes. I would love to someday replicate my characters like he does so they don’t only live on paper and could have a physical body.

How did you end up where you are now and doing what you do?

To be honest I haven’t stopped drawing since I was five, so if you did that too you would probably have the same story. I’m super grateful for all the oportunities I’ve been given and hope I can keep doing this for the rest of my life.

How does The One Club enhance your professional network?

Thanks to The One Club, the creative community of illustrators, typographers, producers, and more has a place to call home — something that isn’t always easy, as this is often a solitary and quiet profession. It is essential to have a club dedicated to curating, awarding, and recognizing the artists behind great projects.

When you’re not working, what are you doing?

Playing The Legend of Zelda with my husband. I cannot use the control. He plays, and I watch and yell advice when we fight against bokoblins.

What’s the most significant change you’ve seen in the advertising and design industry since you started?

Things don’t have to be clean and polished to reach the public. We are entering an era that resembles the late 80s and early 90s that feels more crafty.