RODA, AKA JOSÉ
ANTONIO RODA
A few years ago, a paper illustrator
named Juan Diego González held a
workshop in Madrid – where I live – and
I went along to see what could come
from it. I remember leaving feeling
unconvinced, believing I’d wasted my
afternoon and that I didn’t have the
patience or dexterity for paper art.
But it turns out I was wrong. As with
everything in life, patience is something
to be practised and conquered.
I don’t necessarily consider myself
a paper artist – my work is to draw,
and paper is a way of giving life to my
illustrations. I like that paper is fragile,
delicate and versatile; it’s the result
of what you make of it. It’s something
familiar and inexpensive – children
use it at school, and adults at their
workplaces. I’d rather use basic and
democratic materials for my art than
anything too luxurious or exclusive. As for
themes, I’m mostly interested in drawing
people – especially women. I think I love
illustrating beautiful and powerful girls
because I’m very gay, but I also prefer
their curvy shapes, and like elements that
relate them to nature, work, strength,
truth and fashion.It depends on the piece, but I’ll generally
sketch a design on paper first, then work
with it on the computer until I get it to
look exactly how I want it. When that’s
done, I begin cutting with a scalpel.
Before I start working, I remind myself
I’m not in a hurry – what I have to do is
enjoy the cutting and relax. I always think
before I cut and take my time; because of
that, I rarely make mistakes anymore.
I develop my drawings using basic shapes
and primary colours, because they belong
to a child-like world, which appeals to me
for its purity and sincerity. That infantile
world is also connected to playing, which
is how I perceive my drawing – a game
that I take very seriously, because it pays
my rent. I think of my work as something
alive and in constant development. I don’t
know exactly what project would be my
paper art Everest, but I do know I’ll never
stop climbing this mountain!creative people