Who are you and how did you become an illustrator?

I am Ugo Gattoni and I became an illustrator after studying graphic design at the EPSAA in Paris, from which I graduated in 2010. When I graduated, I started a big project which was my first step in the world of illustration: Ultra Copains, a big 10-meter fresco. 

What is the story of this first work?

It's a fresco that told my daily life from day to day: my outings with friends (they're all drawn there!) in several fantasy worlds, like for example a football stadium that a giant monster stretches to twist the perspective... As I was working on a 2m table, I didn't know what I was going to draw on the next meters, I drew what I liked at the time.

What does a day in your studio in Ivry-sur-Seine look like?

At the moment, my home has been transformed into a studio apartment. It's quite sunny, with large windows. Recently, I wanted to take a break and refocus on myself, so I made a large 2-meters table (as at the time!) to put the fresco I'm currently drawing on it, with a luminous plate in the centre.

What are your favourite objects in your studio? Why do you like them?

The first object is a wooden octopus that I brought back from Mexico, quite voluminous and of turquoise and pink colour, hand painted, which I use as a paperweight. The second is my sound system that I have installed in front of my table, a bit like two totems. It is important for me because I love listening to music while I draw.

You've made daydreaming your job. Your favourite imaginary journeys?

Three years ago, I went to Mexico to cut myself off from Paris, and that's where I started to design my own imaginary universe: Nebula. Nebula is a journey among several worlds (from the Earth to the cosmos), which I have been documenting and shaping for 4 years now: I have defined its fauna, flora, currency, clothing customs, beliefs, cartographies... The idea is to virtually reproduce this journey and allow people to walk around in augmented reality during a festival.

What about your favourite myths or legends? What about them?

I don't necessarily have a favourite myth. To tell my stories, I've gone through all mythology, especially Greek mythology. What I used to do when I was in Peru and Bolivia was to take up myths and cross them, to tell my own story. For example, recently I recreated the pyramid of Kukulcán in Mexico, built in honour of the feathered serpent god in Aztec mythology, by transforming it into a feathered horse.

Who are the 3 illustrators who inspire you the most?

Among today's illustrators, I really like the work of Dexter Maurer, who has a very new style, very clean, always in the finish. Then, I like classical painting very much, especially Michelangelo's large-format paintings. I also like the surrealism of Dali and the comic book artist Moebius. However, I am not necessarily influenced by these artists, but more by music: for example, I collaborate with Flavien Berger's SIN collective, which produces the music for my films and animations.

You have made wallpaper for some very prestigious houses, and this year illustrated the Diptyque de Noël collection. What is the unofficial story behind the design of these illustrations?

The Diptyque house came to me and asked me to invent a winter tale based on 3 candles. I then rummaged through the brand's archives, until I found several sketches drawn by one of the founders, the painter Desmond Knox-Leet, including a little cat. The story was born from there: it is the story of a little cat who wakes up three enchanted animals in the silent streets of Paris on New Year's Eve. I always write the stories before I draw them! 

What are your future plans for collaboration?

I plan to do an illustration with Dexter Maurer. I also have several small collaborations planned with other famous houses, especially jewellery houses. I would then like to devote some time to my Nebula project and a new fresco, even more gigantic!