Written by: Jo Ann L.B. Duggins
Full Name: Pilar Alvarez
Age: 33 years old
Currently Residing: Vancouver, B.C. Canada
Currently Listening to: the house is as quiet as a mouse
I don't know what's up with these Spanish Canadian ladies and their art, but I LOVE IT! Pilar Alvarez' existence almost happened on a train between Barcelona and Madrid and such an event could be why this accomplished artist's vision has been on the fast track since she could hold a crayon.
Her illustrations remind me of Moulin Rouge on crack. It's very pretty though and I really like the spook-chic characters she creates. She strikes me as someone who is fun and lively and it shows in her designs. Her art is highly commercial and you'll find it on clothing, in jewelry, on skin and hanging on walls. I'm very honored to present to you this distinct lady. She is an illustrator, a photographer, a boutique owner, jewelry maker - hell, she's just amazing - Miss Pilar Alvarez...
You started out doing fashion and as a tattoo artist....where did the transition from this to full on illustration/painting take place?
Actually, I started out with illustration. Everybody drew as children... I just never outgrew it. Honestly, the only difference between my life when I was 5 and my life now, is that I get paid to draw and color, and I choose my own home decor. Every day is a slumber party at my house/studio.
I would say that tattooing and fashion were just on the path temporarily. However, fashion is super important to me every day. I'm passionate about fashion FOR SURE!
As far as painting goes, I actually started because I hated my bare walls in my first home away from mom and dad's. I never stopped! especially when people wanted me to decorate their bare walls too...what a treat!
Where do you come up with your vivid characters in your artwork?
I think they are all aspects of my insides, really. I'm really addicted and passionate about beauty. A lot of times, too, they are depictions of what I wish I looked like.
How would you describe your art? What do you feel makes it stand out?
That is such a hard question! Honestly I don't really enjoy describing it...it's like describing yourself to somebody...I'm just too close to it.
If it does indeed stand out, it's probably only because it's honest and I'm extremely opposed to copycatting. I think things which are original and honest and pure tend to stand out.
Since you do have a fashion background, I have to ask, who do you admire as designer out there? Which artists are turning you on right now?
My favorite designers are Betsey Johnson and Galliano...of course. I really love my friend's line, Honey Love Couture. She's a unique designer, and honest and girlie and coquettish. She does some super cute pin up, very well crafted pieces like little bustiers with frills and bustles with lace on pencil skirts.
What is Oyster and how did that come about?
Oyster is my brand spanking new jewelry line. I have always made jewelry. This is just the first time I'm selling it. It's something I enjoy so very much. Sometimes when I need a break from life, I go to my bedroom, close the door, and make jewelry for as long as 10 hours! nothing like pajamas, tea, and jewelry time.
The name Oyster comes from one of my mantras: "The world is my Oyster". And I think it is such an elegant word, and how amazing and powerful are oysters!?? For my 17th birthday, my dad got me 3 buckets of fresh oysters...my mom, dad and me ate one bucket each for my birthday dinner.
So, it was very natural to combine art with jewelry, and a looooong time comin'. I just finally did what I have wanted to do for dozens of years. Part of 
that is because I can finally afford to.
Have you done a lot of commercial work and do you enjoy doing it? What has been your favorite project?
I do commercial work every single day, actually. I do wish I had more time to paint for pleasure, but freelance artwork is my full time job. But I do enjoy it. I only do things I enjoy....hence the lack of a "real" job.
I do my damndest to make every single project my very favorite one. So the current one is always my favorite. Right now I'm doing a bunch of branding for a trapeze/burlesquey 6 girl troupe called The Aerialistas. You can just imagine how much fun I'm having doing that one! Also I'm doing a commissioned painting at the same time.
You do some interesting whimsical photography as well....where do you get ideas for this medium?
That was actually a super cheap little web cam I got and just for fun I set up little scenarios of all my little toys and knick knacks and took pics of them. I always set up all my little things in scenarios and have little stories of what's happening in each one...all my toys have a personality and a character, this project was just about capturing them. I loved the horrible quality of the images too...it made them look like dream scenarios. I did this obsessively day and night for a week. I just would eat sleep and take all those pics...hahahaha
What materials do you use in making your jewelry?
I use rosary centers, cameo fixings, silver, gold color metal, beads, pearls, crystals, bows, ribbon, pliers, cutters, and a healthy dose of imagination.
Where do most people find your wares?
Well, at the Apropos Salon in LA , Vintage Arty Farty based in Australia, Room 430 Boutique in Vancouver, myspace.com/oysterdesigns, and soon the Pretty Salon in Vancouver...waaay more to come, though, as I only just launched 3 weeks ago.
If you could bring back something from the past what would it be and if you could go into the future what would you take?
If I could bring something back from the past I would bring back my favorite toy which I lost when I was 12. A little nonamebrand plastic dolly whose head would come off and it was a roll on perfume. It smelled of new toy and roses. I miss it soooooo much still, and I think about it all the time.
Thing I would take into the future? hmmmm.......my health and youth.
So you want some more do ya....well there's plenty where this came from:
Pilar Alvarez Site
Oyster Site (under construction)
Pilar's MySpace
Oyster's MySpace
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