Q: Having lived all over the world, what are some of your favorite things about living and working in Barcelona?

A: I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. When I was 5 years old we lived in San Diego for one year and then moved back to Argentina. But when I was 13 my family went to a Kibbutz, in Israel, a few months before the first Gulf War began. We lived there for 4 years and then moved to Barcelona, where I live now. Since then I've lived in Lisbon, Venice, Naples, La Paz (Bolivia) and back to Barcelona, two years ago.  This is a beautiful cosmopolitan city above the sea, with great weather, where my family and a lot of friends live. And It probably has the highest density of talented illustrators per square meter of the entire planet.

Q: Do you keep a sketchbook? What is the balance between art you create on paper [or other analog medium] versus in the computer?

A: I keep two sketchbooks. The Thinking Sketchbook, which I use to work up ideas for the illustrations of my editorial assignments. And the Leisure Notebook, where I draw and write whatever I feel like. I spend much more time on the computer.  

Q: What is the most important item in your studio?

A: An HB pencil. 

Q: How do you know when the art is finished?

A: I know that the art is finished when there is nothing I can add or remove to convey more efficiently, beautifully and ingenuity the concept I want to communicate. The deadlines usually help to understand that this moment has arrived. 

Q: What was your favorite book as a child? What is the best book you’ve recently read?

A: My favorite books as a child were Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain and Mafalda, the comic strip drawn by the great Argentine cartoonist Quino. Best books I've recently read: The adversary and Other Lives but Mine, by Emmanuele Carrére; Lenin's Tomb, by David Remnick. 

Q: If you had to choose one medium to work in for an entire year, eliminating all others, what medium would you choose?

A: I would choose Photoshop. 

Q: What elements of daily life exert the most influence on your work practice?

A: My four-year old son (his stories, his imagination, his activities) has been the most important influence during the last years. Besides that: the books I read, others illustrators’ work, the different languages I use (they work as communicating vessels and allow access to new ideas) and my technical deficiencies exert a capital influence on my work practice.  

Q: What was the [Thunderbolt] painting or drawing or film or otherwise that most affected your approach to art?

A: Maus, by Art Spiegelman was some kind of thunderbolt. I didn't know that something like that could be done with drawings. I am not sure that it affected my approach to art but it was a great discovery. My approach to art was probably much more affected by the surprised look to every day life of the writers Julio Cortázar and J.L. Borges. Also Goya, M.C. Escher, Magritte, Picasso, Fukuda, Billy Wilder (The Apartment!), Bergman...

Q: Who was the [Thunderbolt] teacher or mentor or visiting artist who most influenced you early in your training or career?

A: A workshop with the illustrator Pablo Amargo in Barcelona about 10 years ago was a thunderbolt. I didn't know his work before and I was dazzled by the cleverness, wit and finesse of his work. Some months later I was very impressed by another workshop, this time with the incredibly brilliant Spanish designer and illustrator Isidro Ferrer. After these two experiences I knew the kind of illustrator I wanted to be. 

Q: What would be your last supper?

A: Milanese beef with French fries.

Martín Elfman, is a Spanish-Argentinian illustrator and traveller. Has lived in Israel, Barcelona, Lisbon, Venice, Naples and La Paz (Bolivia). From 2006 becomes a contributor to Spanish newspapers and magazines like El Pais and El Periódico de Catalunya. 

On the last year has worked with Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, The Chronicle of Higher Education, The New Republic, Hopkins Medicine and Family Circle.  

After four years living in La Paz, where has cooperated with several NGO's on projects related to education and human rights, has recently moved back to Barcelona. 
http://www.martinelfman.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ElfmanIllustration/

http://purplerainillustrators.com/portfolios/artists/Martin_Elfman.html