Funky, sexy notebook art is recluse artist’s canvas for self-expression

Art comes in many forms, shapes, and sizes. From cave drawings to hieroglyphics to the masterpieces of the Renaissance, Baroque, and Impressionist eras to the various forms of modern art that have become popular today, there is really no one definition for what can be classified as a work of art. Through the years, artists have gone beyond the canvas in search of self expression and branched out to a variety of mediums – walls, clothes, even parts of the human body.

I’ve always loved art. Although I’m not as well-versed as the experts in the field, I like to think of myself as a connoisseur (a budding amateur, of course!). I love to look at all forms of art – performance and visual – and every time I travel, museums are a must on the agenda. What I love the most about art is the fact that it’s always changing and evolving. You can always anticipate something new. Over the years, my preferences have widened from the Baroque greats like Rembrandt, Impressionists like Van Gogh and Monet to more modern art like that of Joan MirÒ, and pop art like that of Keith Haring. I enjoy seeing innovative ideas, and I certainly know what I like and don’t like.

These days, what I like (very much to be exact!) is Jordi Labanda. Jordi Labanda is hot hip Spanish property who’s quickly taking over the rest of the world. This exemplary 35-year-old illustration has come a long way since his post-college days as a recluse artist. Chic restaurants, modernist lobbies, exotic beaches, retro ski wear, stylish underwear, haute couture, luxury accessories – Labanda illustrates them all in his signature faux-naÏf, super-cool, sophisticated style.

Born in Uruguay in 1968, Jordi Labanda has lived in Barcelona since he was three years old. He took up Industrial Design in college but after two years decided to switch to Illustration instead. After graduating, he locked himself up in his studio and refused to see anybody while he designed his first set of illustrations.

After emerging from his hermit stage he showed a bunch of drawings to his friends who promptly encouraged him to bring his colorful trendy illustrations to New York and try to sell them there. He obliged and his art was quickly snatched up by the New York Times who suggested to bring his work to magazine offices as well. Pretty soon, Jordi Labanda illustrations began appearing in Vogue, Marie Clare, the Vanguard, and Visionaire Magazine along with several Spanish magazines as he decided to remain in Barcelona to work claiming that, even after all his travels, his heart belongs to Spain.

After a couple of years of illustrating for magazines and books, Labanda joined the staff of the Spanish company Miquelrius known for creating world-class school and office supplies. He splashed his seamless retro drawings onto Miquelrius notebook covers, pencil cases, CD cases, mouse pads, and trashcans and they became an overnight success!

This brings us to how Manila got its first taste of Jordi Labanda’s art. Sketchbooks, the premier art supplies store in Manila, brought in the first shipment of Miquelrius notebooks last year and they took the city by storm. Known for bringing in the best available art supplies in the world, Sketchbooks imports quality materials from formidable art brands such as Sennelier, Fabriano, Royal Talens, Escoda, and Windsor & Newton, to name a few. The funky designer covers of Miquelrius notebooks perfectly complement the art supplies and look like trendy wire-bound works of art lined on the shelves.

Labanda notebooks, in particular, became a fast favorite and sold like hotcakes. What makes them so appealing is the fact that the illustrations can be retro and modern at the same time, classy yet sexy, serious yet fun. Combining the looks of Archie comic books and little girls’ picture books with a distinctive retro flair, Labanda creates funky, sexy worlds where everything and everyone looks good. The notebook sizes range from pocket notebooks to full-sized five subject notebooks with illustrations that evoke images of fun disco parties, stylish New York apartments, sultry beaches and even classic Audrey Hepburn moments. (One of my personal favorites is of a girl checking her reflection in a compact donning the stunning black dress from Breakfast at Tiffany’s.) Whatever the mood, Labanda has designed a notebook cover for it.

The latest Jordi Labanda collection from Miquelrius has just arrived and once again proves that this Spanish artist is constantly keeping up with the times while still incorporating his famous traditional look. "I commit to keeping myself up-to-date with the ups and downs of society," he says. "It helps in my work because I like to combine various removed details of reality in my drawings." This time around, he’s expanded his collection to include bags as well. Each item is, in itself, a stylish piece of eye candy and the perfect accessory for school, the office, or simply for taking notes. I went crazy trying to choose one and ending up buying notebooks of almost every design (alternative use – room decor!).

Jordi Labanda has indeed come a long way from his quiet introverted days holed up in his studio in Barcelona. From magazines to notebooks to bags, this illustrator has found numerous canvases for self-expression. His book, Hey Day which is a compilation of his work showcasing the gorgeous images he has created over the years, is set to hit bookstores soon.

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Jordi Labanda notebooks are available at Sketchbooks, ground floor of Greenbelt 3, Makati and Fully Booked, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell.