At just 22 years old, Fernando Monroy Robles is proving quite the illustrating force to be reckoned with. Robles has garnered attention and adoration from top figures in the fashion and pop culture fields. He's received attention over Instagram from several of his muses, including Ariana Grande, Uma Thurman, and Inez and Vinoodh, who wished him a happy birthday. Get to know the Mexico City-based artist and his gorgeous illustrations, below.
Name and Instagram handle:
Fernando Monroy Robles, @fmonroyr.
Age:
22 — today's my birthday!
Currently residing:
Mexico City.
How old were you when you started drawing?
I was 8 years old when I started to draw, but I started to do digital paintings and drawing when i was 14
Why do you draw the subjects you draw?
I'm obsessed with Pop Culture and everything that surrounds it — from fashion, celebrities, brands, marketing, advertising, art direction, and I feel very close to that world, especially with female pop icons, such as Lady Gaga, Anna Wintour, Meryl Streep, Viola Davis, Madonna, Beyoncé, etc. And I just want to share with the world my vision of this pop world that I'm living in, using reference photographs from my favorite celebrities, fashion magazines, and photographers.
What's your favorite drawing you've ever done?
This one is quite difficult, because it changes everyday. I always try to evolve my art style so I don't get bored, but right now my favorite drawing is the Vogue series that I did of Lady Gaga.
What do you hope to do with your career down the line?
I would love to be an illustration or an art/editorial director at a fashion magazine, and maybe eventually be able to expose my art at some galleries.
If you could play truth or dare with anyone alive, who would you?
Lady Gaga. I have so many questions to ask her, and she's the main reason why I do art.
What other Instagram artists should we be following?
My favorites are @ignasimonreal, @dromsjel, and @inezandvinoodh.
Truth or Truth?
Truth.
Tell us a secret.
I'm a very anxious person and I'm constantly insecure of showing my work even though I've been doing it for a while.
Illustrations: Fernando Monroy Robles