Monocromo AKA Miss Paperclip AKA Paqui

tART – Last week I was aimlessly surfing some websites killing when I came across the work of Monocromo… Well first I came across the work of SuicideLove, which lead me to Miss Paperclip then to electricbird and so on and so on… until finally I came to Monocromo. I soon realised I was following the multiple web incarnations of Fraçoise (she perfersPaqui), a young artist from Spain.

I was so taken aback by her work that I decided to email her. After some bodged email attempts in broken… very broke n Spanish and cute say-what-you-see English replies, Francoise decided she would like to get involved.

To give you more of an idea of our new friend in Spain I tried an email Q&A session… As I don’t speak Spanish, it was pretty hard for both of us, but we carried on and well…Miss Monocromo came back with some really honest answers.

François AKA Monocromo

So where do your various names come from?
misspaperclip is because I used to make collages and I wanted a username related to them… monocromo is because I like monochromatic themes, & also, because one of my favourite bands is called monochrome, but really it was the first thing I thought of.

Francisa is my real name, but I don’t like it! So I use the French spelling which is Françoise, but people call me Paqui, a diminutive of Francisa here in Spain

Where are you from? Where do you live?
I was born and live in Molina de Sequra, a little city in the region of Murcia , on the Mediterranean coast.

What is it like living there?
The majority of the time I’m depressed, hahaha. Well, I live fine because I have all my family here, but I don’t want to live here forever, I need more things from a city, like: more green parks, a greater diversity of people, museums, galleries… this city is to small for me to grow!

How long have you studied art for?
I only studied basic level of arts at secondary. I was a very bad student when I was a teenager & then later I realised how much I really like art. I then started graphical arts & now work in a graphic design & photography studio.

Who or what inspires you?
Principally, I used to be inspired most when I was sad or depressed, but now, any emotion makes me to want to express myself, a little detail, a magical photo or a movie is really inspiring…

What artists or photographers do you love?
I love almost everything! I especially love surrealism: Dali & Luis Buñuel are my two favourite artists. But I love: Chema Madoz, Joel Peter Witkin & people who makes me to feel things through their art.

How would you describe your style?
ummm… sincerely, I don’t know! Hahaha, I suppose it’s a mix of vintage-modern weird?

What do you want from art?
To illustrate and communicate feelings & emotions that we all have but hide.

What do you do when your not making art?
Well… I go out and see many movies, & just spend time with family & friends. I also love to read, I like fairytales & books that make me think.

What type of music do you like and why?
I like everything! indie, punk, hardcore, screamo, electronica… I suppose each style transmits to me something different, for each moment. Right now I’m listening to a lot of Maximilian Hecker & La Buena Vida, they’re amazing. Well, I hope this will be of help to you! if you have some problem or something tell me, ok? I’m very nerd with this… it’s the first “interview” that I’ve ever had… hahaha bye mike!

Francoise AKA Monochromo… 16/05/06.

View her online gallery at: Monocromo Livejournal