Meet Carlos Toledo | Illustrator and creative
We had the good fortune of connecting with Carlos Toledo and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Carlos, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Honestly, everything was born a bit by chance and above all from the moment. I have always been a very imaginative person, I have liked to imagine things and put them on paper. From a very young age I have used illustration to express myself and over the years I have realized that in addition to being a means of expression, it has also served as a method of disconnection.
Everything was born in 2014, during a move. By chance I come across all the books and notes from the university, which were full of vignettes and drawings, which I did during class … many times as a method of evasion. It had been 5 years without drawing, and the truth was I was sorry to have lost that connection with myself through drawing. Instagram had only been on our phones for months and I thought it would be a good idea to post pictures instead of photos. From there, my account began to grow a lot until reaching a time when I had followers who demanded my work. It is at that moment that I seriously consider dedicating myself to illustration full time.
It was a remarkable change in my life. Realizing that it was possible to live doing what I had done all my life was like a motivational pill. And taking that small step, I change the way I see my work life.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I would say that what truly distinguishes me from others are my ideas, far beyond illustration. I have always said that I have not invented anything. Our ancestors already made this type of drawings in caves many years ago. They drew what they saw, desired, or intrigued them. I do the same but in the 21st century. I draw what I see, always passing it through my filter, which I have matured over the years by looking at everything that surrounds me, from people, objects and ideas.
What makes me most proud of my work is surprising and above all making people laugh, enjoying the journey. It seems somewhat banal, but I attach great importance to it. The fact that my work sketches smiles makes me realize that it is really worth sitting down and drawing.
Well, honestly, I don’t know very well how I got to where I am now, I sense that perseverance, the desire to improve, always doing new things and, above all, believing in yourself, are key to being able to dedicate yourself professionally to something that you like independently. . It’s never easy, and if they tell you otherwise, they lie. In reality it is a constant learning, inevitably accompanied by successes, small at first, and failures. I have always been clear that failures are nothing more than lessons that life gives you, it is in your hands to take advantage of it or, on the contrary, to let it sink you.
In my case I took the failures as lessons, and clearly this point of view helped me to be where I am today and to know how to see the positive side of things, no matter how bad they are.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I had to suggest that someone come to Barcelona having a good time, the first thing I would say is that as a kitten you would have to spend a total of 3 days in the city, at least to get to know it. The rest of the days he would distribute them along the coast and inland.
In this city there are an infinity of offers of all kinds. Gastronomy, to begin with. I would advise you not to stop going to drink and buy first-class coffee at Nomad Coffee, to devour a good hamburger at Folks Burger and finally taste local food at Bar Omar. As a nightlife, I would suggest visiting in Sidecar in Plaza Real on Thursdays, attending the TURBO LOVERS party, with Soren Manzoni. Also, do not stop dancing and drinking at the Moog, a classic club in this city, or at the Apolo room.
Culture: The range here is huge. Architecture, museums, theaters as a city, any cosmopolitan city. I would recommend visiting the Macba, the science museum and touring the example discovering architectural gems.
And last but not least, go shopping at the store I’m in love with, Blaw Store, a must!
And the rest of the days, I would rent a car and go to Sa Tuna on the Costa Brava to eat a good rice, I would travel the coast and then go into the interior and lose myself in the towns and especially in its restaurants!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are many people that I would like to name and obviously it would never end. I’ll try to be brief: The first thing I want to name, obviously is my family, for giving me so much love and opportunities to be who I am.
Then to all my friends and strangers, who have always encouraged me to continue drawing. And finally to companies and businesses that have relied on my work to represent them. I am going to highlight my friend Ricardo Jorge @ricardjorge_studio, also an illustrator and friend from university, who made me see illustration in a different way, to the Lunwerg publishing house for recognizing my work and to the Miquel Rius stationery shop, on the other hand, to develop a product from Author. And finally to you, for helping me spread my work!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/t_diary/
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/t_diarysketches
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNmaxFdjMTtABEC5dw6zYkg
Other: https://foundation.app/@T_Diary
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
