MRR Comics & Art Issue Artist Q&A with Mar Estrama
This month’s MRR magazine is the Comics & Art Issue! Throughout March we are highlighting some of the participating artists right here on MRR.com. Today we hear from Mar Estrama from Barcelona.
What are the main things you’ve published, including comics, record covers, band shirts, anthologies, etc.?
I’ve mostly published covers for my bands (Crosta’s LP, Las Otras’ LP and EP, and Res’ tape). I’ve also released a couple of small zines with illustrations (Parets de Paper, Forats) and screen prints, and I made the covers for the Spanish edition of Mierda fanzine #11, that comes with an Absurdo flexi. I make drawings for show posters too.
Who are some of your influences as far as art and comics?
Like everyone, I have a lot of influences and some of them are super mainstream! Alison Bechdel, Phoebe Gloeckner, Marjane Satrapi, Nazario, Cesc, El Roto, Raymond Pettibon… I don’t think it’s that noticeable in my work but I also love the aesthetics of Spanish underground and radical press from the ’70s.
Music influences?
I find it very difficult to write band names in this kind of questions, but I’d say that even though I come from punk, all the music I listen to is not necessarily punk. These days I’m more into some more melodic, folk, accoustic or electronic stuff as long as it’s somehow raw or dark.
How would you describe your style of drawings?
I think my drawings are both disturbing and naive at the same time. At first sight they can even look cute, but there’s sharpness, inaccuracy and aggressiveness in them. They are normally inspired by daily situations but there’s always something out of place that helps create a tension. I focus on feelings and experiences that reflect my reality and that of the people who surround me. I try to address gender, identity or sexuality issues without being too pamphleteer or too obvious. I also want to reflect the life in this bricked up city that’s becoming more and more oppressive.
What other punk projects are you involved with (bands, venues, record labels, etc.)?
Right now I play bass in Las Otras and Res, a new project where I also sing. We’ve recently released a tape on Discos Enfermos. I’m also part of a collective called Sota Terra that puts on DIY shows and benefit activities.
What’s in the future for you as a cartoonist/artist?
I’d like to keep working and maybe be able to make more artwork for bands and this kind of thing. I’ve never drawn comics but I have some ideas in my mind that I’d like to bring to life in a comic format eventually. Who knows! Thanks a lot for including me. Love from Barcelona!
Check out more from Mar at marestrama.com and marestrama.tictail.com.
For links and more info about this artist and all of the artists in our Comics & Art Issue, check out the artist bios page.
