My name is Salina and I am an Illustrator based in the south of Spain.
My work is inspired by everyday objects that bring a sense of nostalgia and sweetness to me. I work with traditional media such as gouache and watercolour and I’m inspired by anything that sparks uniqueness in an unexpected way.
My drawings go from detailed and vivid illustrations of antique objects to playful portraits of dogs. I aim for my work to appear as being fresh and full of vibrant color, bringing what I draw to life.
I find inspiration in the things I love doing the most, such as spending time by the ocean, exploring new places and cooking, but mostly, in anything I find around me that speaks for its beauty and subtle oneness.
FAQ
When did you start your career as an illustrator?
I started drawing professionally in 2021 while I was living in Belgium. I started reaching out to small brands to commission illustrations for them and started selling my art online. In 2023 I started Perrito Portraits which is when my small business took off. I now take on bespoke wedding stationary commissions alongside the rest of my work.
Did you study art?
I don’t have an art degree. I graduated in Advertising and Public Relations back in 2017 at the Universidad de Sevilla. When I finished my degree I knew I didn’t want to jump straight into the advertising industry as I've always been drawn to art and visuals in a more artistic way.
I enrolled in a master in Graphic Storytelling at LUCA School of Arts in Brussels in 2021 but came to realise the focus on storytelling wasn’t something for me.
I’ve always been very creative and have been drawing since I was a kid. It took me some time to switch from the mindset of drawing being my  hobby to now being my job and It’s still a work in progress.
Where are you from?
I was born in the south of Spain, in the beautiful province of Cádiz. I am half Spanish and half American. I’ve always been curious about discovering different cultures and countries which has led me to live experiences abroad in Italy and Belgium. I am now based in the south of Spain, in Sevilla.

I love the ocean, as I grew up by it, I'm always drawn to visiting and travelling to places close to the ocean and to me this always feels like home, no matter in which part of the world I am.
What are some of the things you like doing when you aren’t drawing?
I love any form of creation that involves working with my hands. From knitting to natural dying, bookbinding or collecting objects and giving them a second life. I’ve always liked collecting small objects that bring back memories of a place or moment. I like spending time out in the sun, going for long walks on the beach, cooking and sharing meals together. Even when I’m not drawing, I’m constantly creating, whether it is in the form of writing, gardening or thinking of a project I want to start.
Spending time alone is how I allow myself to recharge creatively, how I ground myself and cultivate stillness. 

Through the last 8 years I have implemented minimalistic practices througout my space and belongings and believe this mindset and way of living allows me to live freely and helps me in pursuing my goals. You can read more about my minimalist practices on my substack 
What other things are you passionate about?
I am passionate about languages. I became fluent in Italian after having studied it and spent a few months in Florence. I also speak Dutch, and am currently studying Danish.

I also like analog photography, which I document on my instagram @o_jalata
Which countries would you like to visit?
Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Finland, Japan, China, New Zealand.