María Luque's rich and colourful illustrations that reveal life in South America

"I've been drawing since I was little, ever since I can remember. I think I really never stopped doing it," says María, when we ask about her background. "I think there is a connection between how I used to draw when I was little and the way I do now, at least in the attitude. I used to love drawing with my friends and it’s something I still do nowadays. I went to art school, studied there for a few years and I learned a lot, but in the end I dropped out.

"I started to attend workshops by artists I was interested in and to go to residences in order to educate myself outside academic institutions. I’m still learning everyday, especially from my friends and colleagues."

Where does she get her inspiration? "Things that happened to me because I’m the person I know best," says María. "I'm also on the lookout for whatever happens to my friends or situations I spot on the street. I also love art history and I'm very curious about artists' lives. There are a lot of artists I feel affinity with, such as Matisse, Marina Abramović or David Hockney but I also like folk art and outsider artists like Bill Traylor or Lee Godie."

These influences are especially evident in this particular series. You can discover more on her online portfolio.