WALL ART: Paula Juchem

WE FELL head over heels in love with Paula Juchem’s vibrant, semi-naive graphic art when we saw her garden / beach scene designed for the Conran Shop’s summer Outdoor Collection windows (left, click to enlarge).

Based in Milan with her photographer husband Ruy Teixiera, and her two children, Pedro, 6 and Bia, 7 months, Juchem describes her look as being about: “Imperfection - my lines are never straight, nothing is symmetrical, and all is colour. It’s a very Brazilian style.”

And whilst it’s not designed “specifically for children or adults,” Paula’s illustrative style is influenced not just by her Brazilian 1970s/80s childhood - with its memories of brightly-coloured juice cartons, homemade fishing rods and impromptu waterproof clothing made from garbage bags - but by her own family.

“My family is my greatest inspiration,” says the mother who has moved her studio to her home close to the Milan’s Adda river, so she can give Bia all the TLC she needs in her first year. “I’ll often start a design with one of my husband Ruy’s photographs underneath, and then I’ll lose the photo and start inventing.

“And much of my work comes from requests from my son Pedro, because we draw together a lot. He’ll ask me to draw a shark, and I try and that’s how it all begins. Although in the end his shark always ends up more beautiful than mine. Always! Even though he’s only six years old, he’s a very good illustrator, and is super-critical. We exchange opinions and he’s severe in his judgement.”

In fact Pedro and Paula are working on a project together - a collection of bedding for children with illustrated stories on them to help children sleep. “He’s chosen all the stories,” says Paula, who is currently looking for a producer for the range.

Paula’s more grown-up work, meanwhile, is inspired by a flamboyant range of females - all of whom, she says, are alternative, other-life Paulas. “I was such a tomboy when I was little. I used to pretend I was my older brother, Luciano. I dressed like a boy. I was good at football. The only doll I’ve ever had is Bia! And so my masculine childhood has deeply influenced the fanciful women of my work. They’re all ‘lost’ Paulas. It’s my own form of therapy!.”

*Contact Paula at www.paulajuchem.com to buy her illustrations on metal or tiles from 350 Euros.
**See more of Paula’s work and family in our gallery below.