Christmas postcard means Juan Ferrándiz

Good morning, friend!

The 25th number of The Attic is here, the last one of the year!

Today we’ll see the cute christmasy artworks of a Catalan illustrator, a Dutch postcard, a safety ad, an ink drawing, a christmas TV ad from 60s Spain, some stuff I made and the year round-up.

Let’s go!

✧An illustrator: Ferrándiz✧

When I think of Christmas I think of spending it at my grandparents house with my family.
I think of the smell of moss and cork and Galets soup.
And I think of Ferrándiz’s postcards.

Juan Ferrándiz Castells (1918 - 1997) was a Catalan painter and writer born in Barcelona known for his children books, religious motives and especially for his Christmas greetings featuring laughing shepherd kids and angels, which have been widely imitated. He never seemed to run out of ideas on the same themes!

Juan FERRÁNDIZ

Ferrándiz studied at Escola de Belles Arts in Barcelona. He collaborated in numerous film productions, both short and feature films - among them, "Érase una vez" (1948-1950) - and wrote many children’s books for different Spanish publishers.

I remember reading some books with Ferrándiz’s pictures in them when I was a kid.

My favourite one was Núria La Pastora, it was about a little shepherd girl and I was in love with it. I mean, look at how cute this is!

Juan FERRÁNDIZ - 1981 - Núria la pastora

There was a time when it was popular to make books die-cut in the shape of the character that appeared in the cover, I loved that, and I loved that the back cover was actually the back of the character, because it was like having a big paper doll!

Juan FERRÁNDIZ - 1990 - Mariuca La Castañera

His characters are playful, full of emotion and warmth. I think if I had to choose one word to describe Ferrándiz’s work it would be warmth.

Because one thing I’ve always loved about his work is how he treated light. Some of his pieces do really glow!

I adored his’s work as a kid, seeing those round red cheeks and fluffy animals again today still feels like a hug from dear family to me.

✧A postcard: Gelukkig Nieuwjaar✧

1957 - Gelukkig Nieuwjaar

✧An ad: Happy Xmas✧

Manfred REISS - 1950s - The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents

✧An ink drawing: Naiad Einsel✧

Naiad EINSEL - Early 1950's

✧A TV ad: Torrons Antiu Xixona✧

Stills from Spanish 1960s commercial

This is a 60s TV ad for torrons (turrones in Spanish), a typical christmas dessert in Catalonia and Spain, though I have read that it is also typical in Portugal, Italy and Latin America. The quality of the copy is a bit meh, but the characters are really cute :)

I made a calendar for the first time ever with some of my illustrations of kids and animals! Currently for sale at my ko-fi page with only a few copies left.

And hey, if you’re in Barcelona, I’m happy to announce that you can now find my prints, calendars and comics at iorana (Carrer Diluvi, 10) with some other awesome creators!

Also in Barcelona there are still some of my zines available at Llibreria Finestres (Diputació, 250) and soon at Fatbottombooks (Carrer Lluna, 21)

And finally you can also find my comics in Manresa at 2 de Piques (Carrer Sant Miquel, 7)

Do you know of other stores where I can sell my prints and comics? I’m looking for shops anywhere in the world! Wouldn’t that be sooo cool?

Speaking of comics! I released a new mini zine about the process of learning how to drive a broom. I just realized that I love drawing witches!!

2023 - Manual d’Escombres

✧Year round-up✧

I am still surprised to see that I’ve been writing these letters for two years now.

Some months time does fall short, but I try to make the time to do some research (even if it’s just a little) and it never disappoints. It’s always a very enjoyable time when I find new artists to share! Here's to many more!

Thank you once again for reading my letters and sharing your thoughts and favorite artists with me, it's an incredibly rewarding experience. And I’d also like to thank the lovely people who have donated, become a member on ko-fi, bought something from my shop or shared The Attic on social media, it really means a lot! <3

I hope you end the year well and start the new one with better energy. Take care and see you soon!

✧ The links ✧

✦ Ferrándiz - Yo Fui a EGB
✦ Ferrándiz - Rafael Castillejo
✦ Mariuca la castañera - De Papel
✦ Ferrándiz - Flickr
✦ Riding Through The Rain - Flickr
✦ Naiad Einsel - Flickr