Meet Liliana Estrada Figueroa | Plastic Artist and Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Liliana Estrada Figueroa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Liliana, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I’m usually inspired by the people around me, the simple stuff of life, funny talks, nature, day by day stuff, the clouds, the plants, diversity, cuteness, the smell of coffee, the textures of the seashells, music, the energy of the kids, the innocence, flower shapes and colors, the flavors of food, the laughs, I try to illustrate what I think is the best things of life searching for motivation and between some existential crisis as theraphy and a step to keep growing and learning.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
First I want to hightlight that life, heart and destiny took me to the arts path since I was a teenager. Nowadays, I’ve been thinking in taking a master and I know I can choose anything in life, there’s tons of options open for me, but I can’t think of anything other than an artistic end. Being in the creative field has take me to meet a lot of great people, interesting minds, new horizons, entrepeneurs and opening my mind to know that I can create whatever I want for my life and it’s amazing.

I’m proud of taking myself serious in a way that I respect my feelings, time and energy between others and that I’m open to learn from anyone.

I believe there’s a lot of talent in my city (Tijuana) and I respect and admire a lot of my colleagues, creative friends and other artists. So that sets me apart from others, most of the time I’m telling people when I admire them and I like to help others to know what I know till now by teaching them and communicating what helpd me being where I am today.

It hasn’t being easy, it takes time, a lot of passion and energy but If I want to get far I have to be constantly moving, communicating, creating, showing, it’s a full time job to be an artist. So is very important to pause and rest your mind and body to keep fresh.

It’s not that I live in a constant excitement about life but I’m always excited when I read about something I have to do in my list. I make a lot of lists of the goals I want to achieve by the year so I can remind me where I want to get but the list keeps growing day by day, new ideas come and I have always something to do about and with my project @granosdecafeto. Sometimes I get the ‘Impostor Syndrome’ and I feel I’m just in the starting line and I’m learning in every step I take. So that’s what I can say to new artists or younger artists, collaborating with other people teaches us and strengthens us, also you need to take risks and go out of your comfort zone, you have to show your art even if you’re scare about it, there’s always going to be a person that love what you do, and in the first place, that person has to be you. So keep doing it and start NOW.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would, of course, ask first their interests and tastes. There’s popular places in my city I could take a friend, also depending on their interests. One place a person that comes to Tijuana should visit is CECUT, a cultural space you can learn a little bit of the country and artists of Baja California by watching the art expositions, also I would recommend to watch a movie at the IMAX and why not watch some theatre or concert in the stage.

I definitely would take them to Coffee Shops (Electric Coffee Roasters, Brothers Coldbrew, Brewja, Glitch, Pangea, Omertá, Claroscuro, Baró) to go drink some good coffee, talk and laugh and if it has live music (Infuso Café, Praga, Regor) would be the best of both worlds.

The food in my city is the best. You can choose between going for some great street tacos (Asadero Tecolote, Tacos el Francés, Taconazo, La Taquería Vegiee, El Nuevo Poblano, Sergio’s taco shop), a ginger ramen (Jintori), mexican dishes (La Espadaña, La Casa del Mole), french breakfast (L’abricot), Poke (Kuul) or to more elaborated dishes to restaurants as Ceaser’s to try the traditional Ceaser salad created in Tijuana, some mixology and baja food (Oryx, La Justina, La Querencia) such as much more great restaurants with food from around the globe and signature cuisine in the city.
For dessert my favorite mexican style bakery to buy the famous pan dulce (Holanda, Donas Venecia). Also I would choose to drink some Bubble tea or eat ice cream (Tepoznieves, La Michoacana) for sure, and a walk in the park later to feel lightweight after all that food. I’m better to take you for a chill and calm day. BUT, if you want to party we can go to Avenida Revolución and also meet some of the popular hallways in Dowtown Tijuana, and bars, to dance and try mezcal & craft beers (La Mezcalera, Dandy del Sur, Insurgentes, Border Psycho, Teorema as craft beer in other areas of Tijuana as La Telefonica, Public House, Casa Prado, Lúdica, and some bars inside the malls).

Playas de Tijuana would be a popular spot to visit because of the border wall and the beach. So now that we are in the way we can visit Rosarito for the beach and Puerto Nuevo for some Langosta (Lobster) salsas y tortillas de harina. Also some good coffee shops and spots. Keep driving and we find Ensenada for delicious Seafood (La Guerrerense, Mahi Mahi, Pastelería La Reyna Vazquez) and beautiful Vineyards (Bruma, L.A. Cetto. Casa Frida, Las Nubes such as more). For some Hiking and natural spots and activities could be also a visit to Tecate Magic Town.

So I think there’s a lot more to visit here, but this would be the places I remember worth the visit and definitely recommend.

And before my friends leave Tijuana they shouldn’t forget to take to their cities some @granosdecafeto souvenirs as stickers and t-shirts by I Lililike it.

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?
I can say the nearest people around me always have been my great supporters, my mom Angélica who gives me a different perspective of situations and helps me to rethink and reflect on very good ideas and my sister Nathalia who believes in everything I create, these women in my life are always motivating me to be a better version of myself. Of course my dad Fernando has also support me on my career, to my art teachers, in special Marcela, my friends & family that support me. And to the coffee shops owners that have open the doors to me to expose my art & merch in special to Electric Coffee Roasters. Also I dedicate this interview to all the artists (musicians, painters, illustrators, sculptors, actors, directors) that as persons and creators has taught me a lot and are inspiration to keep living for the art.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ilililikeit , https://www.instagram.com/granosdecafeto

Image Credits
Nathalia Estrada Figueroa for that beautiful portrait of myself