DRAWING PAD

Spain’s Yankee Doodle
By Zoe Buck

Instead of relying on supermodels or celebrity spokeswomen, the ever-innovative, Irvine-based clothing label Element Eden commissions so-called Advocates to both represent the brand and inspire its loyal customer base.

The newest woman to hold that distinction is Spain’s Pepa Prieto, who makes madcap sprawling drawings and exuberant bright paintings. Her energetic work recalls a child genius on a doodling binge, but Prieto herself is playful and grounded. In touch with her inner kid, but most decidedly a girl-power role model.

We had Zoe Buck try and figure out what makes Prieto tick.

FOAM: What exactly does an Advocate do for Element Eden?
PP: It’s a collaboration between an artist and a commercial brand. A perfect mixture! It’s an exchange of ideas. I’m working on a lot now—designing the body of an airplane for MTV, both sides! Two ads for television, one that’s for books and the other about theater. I’m doing some work for Accessorize, and of course preparing for the big Element Advocates show in LA.

FOAM: You’ve got a lot going on. You must be on the road pretty often!
PP: I’ve been traveling all around North and Central America for the past five months. It’s been so inspiring…. I’m showing lots of new pieces at the Element show.

FOAM: As an Advocate, you’re part of a pretty big group of talented women. What are your feelings on artists working collectively?
PP: Well, for me, it’s perfect. I really like to meet and see how other artists work. In this job, it’s a necessity.

FOAM: But you’re more than just an artist, of course. Does your life as an athlete affect your work?
PP: I don’t think it really affects my art…. But it really helped me. As a pro snowboarder, I traveled a lot. And that’s always so good for you, because you learn how to work with other people, and how to be alone.

And there she leaves us. But with her images popping up everywhere, we kinda feel like we’re right there alongside. Doodling, collectively.