Lídia Masllorens
Creating a new way of art
The use of unconventional tools allows the creativity and uniqueness to flow with the emotions in her art.
Through the use of unconventional tools, Masllorens is able to create pieces where she is able to express intense emotions through the faces she paints in her contemporary portraits. Masllorens studied fine art at the University of Barcelona where she mainly specialized in painting but also delved into the craft of sculpturing and photography.
Q1. Tell us a little about yourself: What is your background and what inspires you to create.
Working creatively isn’t just a necessity for me, it’s an honour. I find myself most inspired by faces, as portraiture has always fascinated me.
Artistically, I’m always on the hunt for new forms - faces just happen to be the current excuse! I aim to create contemporary portraits with simple materials; paper and black painting, as well as with more traditional techniques such as watercolour and monotype.
Q2. What kind of traveller are you?
Until a few years ago I had only travelled during the summer, taking holidays on a small budget and with small timeframes - a kind of fast-food travel. Now I work as an artist, I have the wonderful excuse to travel as part of my job, to visit art fairs, to find escapism elsewhere and to nurture myself as both an individual and as an artist.
Q3. Have you ever travelled solo? What tips would you give to a first-time solo traveller?
I am yet to have the opportunity to travel alone, although I would absolutely love to do it. Whenever I hear from people about their solo travel experiences, I get a little jealous… but I’m somewhat nervous to take the plunge myself!
Q4. Where have you travelled to this past year? / Which travel destination has left you with the most memorable experience?
I’ve been lucky enough to spend some time in the Ribera Maya, and I’ve been craving to escape the tourist areas and truly explore rural Mexico.
My trip to Japan in 2019 left a significant impression, due mainly to the fact that we were staying in a traditional wooden house in the countryside, alongside a Japanese host who - lucky us - loved to cook. It was exactly the kind of trip I’d always wanted to undertake.
Q5. The emphasis on working with women sends such a positive message. Who are the female figures whom you admire?
The woman that inspires me most is my mother. A humble and hardworking woman, like so many others. From her I learned to fight for my dreams and to believe in my potential. She is from a generation of women born to serve the family, and thanks to them so many of us have had many amazing opportunities in life.
Q6. How is slow travel different from the usual way of travelling?
I understand 'slow travel' as that which allows you to not only nourish your body, but also your soul. Slowness is a tool for travelling in all directions, literally and metaphorically.
Q7. As an entrepreneur, how do you focus on wellness in your life?
I’m careful to take care of myself in a number of different ways, and in ways which assist me professionally as well as psychologically. Going to the theatre, visiting museums, talking with inspiring people, seeking out stress-free routines and allowing myself to benefit from travel… all of this makes a huge difference.
Q8. Who do you think should come on this trip? And what would one hope to take away from this tour with TextileSeekers?
When I travel I always look for inspiration by default. The ideal participant in this tour should be positive and open to plenty of surprises!
Q9. Do you have one or two all-time favourite fashion pieces? Do you have a favourite designer/artist?
In the world of fashion, I deeply admire the Catalan designer Cristina Fernàndez of Another Archive. Her designs exist outside of fashion; her shapes are timeless and theatrical, they make your imagination take flight. I also love (art director) Sylvia Bonet’s work - her imagery has a harmony and personality that fascinates me. Marta Fábregas is an amazing artist fighting for a cause. Through the technique of transfotography she works both with women and for women, using ancient photos of women with traditional dresses to transmit a powerful message. Silvia Garcia Presas is another Catalan designer I admire. She is a fashion designer who amazes me with each collection, as she is very well versed in the traditional forms and crafts of different cultures.
Q10. What are you reading now?
I often find it hard to concentrate when reading… but I have recently discovered audiobooks, which allow me to paint and read at the same time. While this goes against the theories of Betty Edwards - her book, ‘Learning to Draw with the Right Side of the Brain’, she explains that the spatial part of the brain should not experience interference from the verbal part of the brain. However, I’m not so sure - this kind of interference seems to be good for me!
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