Penciling it in

MANILA, Philippines - There was once a Spanish-American comics artist named Manuel Gonzales who drew for Disney, but he isn’t the one who drew our logo for this month. Twenty-three-year-old Manuel Gonzales prefers to go by “Mano” and his pencil drawings are detailed, emotional and exhibit dark undertones — which is as far away from Disney as you can imagine. If it looks familiar, you may have seen his work at the recently concluded Bloom Arts Festival. Here, he talks to YStyle about his art and how he managed to come up with our new logo in just three days. —Cai Subijano                 

YSTYLE: How would you describe your aesthetic?

MANO GONZALES: My art is constantly changing but if I had to describe my aesthetic, I’d say melancholy is a running theme in my works as well as the conditions that we can associate with it such as beauty, spirituality and nostalgia. I am fascinated with finding the darkness, sadness and uncertainty in mundane things.

What types of projects are you working on now?

Mostly just personal projects. But I am also working on commissioned portraits from people I know. A lot of them asked me to create something they can give to their friends during the holidays or something they can hang on their walls at home. I’ve been working on a few artworks for magazines too.

When you hear “YStyle,” what kind of images or ideas does your mind conjure up?

When I hear YStyle, I think of a woman who knows the importance of showing the best version of herself to the world in terms of how she dresses and how she acts upon certain instances. This woman also likes keeping up with the times and enjoying life.

What was your concept for the new YStyle logo?

The first month of the year is usually associated with celebrations and a new life especially when we think about what we have been through the past year. I took these elements and translated them into the YStyle logo. It shows celebration, life, a positive outlook and, at the same time, allure.

Were you listening to music while you were designing it? What song? On purpose or on shuffle?

I am continuously inspired by music. But when I start drawing I want to remain in a particular state of mind, so I try to work in silence. I didn’t listen to anything when I was doing the YStyle logo but before drawing I think I was listening to Adam Taylor Young, Waterstrider and Ether Teeth.

Who/what inspires your art?

I am inspired by a lot of things like urban spaces, the films I watch, the strangers I see in public places and the stories I think about when I look at them. Stories are very important to me because when I start drawing, I don’t usually know how it’s going to look but a story has to be present. I am also inspired by poetry or songs that tell me things I feel but can’t say.

Who/what inspires your personal fashion sense?

Growing up I always admired my grandfather’s wardrobe. He was a slick dresser and was always well-groomed. I was so happy when I got to wear his spats-style wingtip shoes to my senior prom.

Anything we can look forward to in 2014?

I have a lot of plans for 2014. I hope I get to do them all. But right now, I’m doing a few commissioned portraits to start the year as well as other projects for some publications. I hope this year I get to have an art exhibit too!