Don’t get tricked with the pastel tones of Isamar Medina’s girls: these bitches are no sweet things!
The most common, overrated and always useful question: who is Isamar Medina?
Isamar is a pisces moon, pisces rising and pisces sun, who loves to draw naked bitches.
I’m crazily in love with your artwork and in your website [gonna put the link] there are all the works from 2018 to the most recent in 2021. It seems to me like a linear timeline of style evolution in which your sign is already affirmed but always challenged. From where did all of this started, as a creative process and choice of subject?
Thank you! I am deeply honored. Whenever somebody notices growth, I am deeply touched.
As an artist I am always pushing myself and want to be better not only in execution, but theme and connection. Woman is my subject of choice because it’s all I’ve known all my life. The trials and tribulations of being a woman is something I and many others struggle with everyday. Our bodies, feelings and basic human rights are always at the forefront of debate.
Creatively, I took my art seriously because I needed some healing. It only felt right to build a little world of my own.
Do you get inspiration, or just references, from the art of the past?
I am inspired by so many people it’s insane. I think part of being passionate about art is learning and appreciating the art of those you admire. My list is far too long, But I think looking at my art it’s pretty obvious who the people that inspire me are. Shunga & manga are two of my main inspirations. I love the visual narratives & hope to master that aspect in my art soon.
As for references, I use my own body. It gives it some personal connection while also making the process fun.
Do the colors you choose to adopt have meaning in the reading of the work as well?
Yes they do! I like to use a lot of pastel and nude colors in my art. The pastels/pinks have more of a connection to my childhood room. In a way, It’s the way I present innocence in an adult subject. When I dive into Nude colors, my characters are navigating away from that innocence and are growing more into themselves. I like my work to be seen as these women are going into a journey thru some sort of emotional limbo.
Your work ranges from different mediums, from digital illustrations to drawing and painting. Which one of these is the one you feel more creative and free, if there is any above others?
Digital illustration is very fun! I recently learned how to draw digitally about 3 years ago? It’s been a very fun process. I like that it isn’t wasteful when making sketches. Another thing I like is the unlimited use of colors.
However, my love will always be graphite and paper. I have had such a deep love for paper since I was young. Texture and color is important too. It’s a very beautiful material you can do anything on.
I also like painting a bit! I love the organic shapes on the wooden canvas, and its smooth texture as well. I’m trying to not feel as intimidated by it anymore!
Sapphic love, kink, erotic imagery and symbolic animals: you say in your “about” page that your art “explores the hypocritical social taboos women face, subverting ideas of femininity and control”: tell us more about that.
Control has always been at the forefront of my mind since I was very young. I questioned everything and often wasn’t happy with the answers. I grew up in a religious, traditional household. Through those beliefs imposed on me I felt I wasn’t allowed to question anything. Things were just the way they were. I also questioned why my brothers had certain freedoms I wasn’t allowed only because of my gender. I hated it, So I ran away from home for about half a year. During that time I decided I was only going to do things for myself and not let religion, authority or my gender restrain me.
The following question is a classic in here, because it frames a context in which we all pay consequences, somehow: as erotic artist do you ever struggle with social network sexophobic policies?
Oh absolutely! I notice women/queer or anyone who doesnt fit the social norms doesnt have the same online freedom as those who do not. I hate being put in a box and it makes me sad a lot of artists feel like they have to tiptoe around these sites. The internet was a place where people were able to have that freedom and get away from their everyday lives. Now it seems like there has to be a certain social uniform people have to obey.
How did the public who follow you react to your work, on and offline?
They’re very sweet and kind! Whenever I am feeling low, I always get a heartwarming message, like they can read my mind. People have been supportive and some even say I inspire them which is unbelievable to me.
Other people tell me the stories they get out of my art and I love that.One of the coolest experiences.
I do get the random people who are vulgar, or time wasters (Say things like “I want to buy your work but what will my family say??”) I’m not sure what those people want so I tend to ignore them.
Do you experience any significant changing with the pandemic, for your art and your creativity?
Sometimes! I don’t get to see my artist friends or go to galleries as much. It gets a bit lonely for me. As for my art, I’m still navigating what I want to do. There are times I feel like I can do anything while sometimes feeling defeated. It’s like constantly being on a seesaw.
What’s the next step for your work in the future?
Hm, Definitely exploring painting techniques. Evolving my girls. Expanding their limbo-like world. I’d like to do more gallery work so people can see these gals in person. Nothing ever looks as good online! Right now I just want to keep my motivation and sanity. Getting punished for sharing my art is getting old.
instagram: @kawaii.suga
