Virginia Lorente
Immigrant Architect -Rafael Guastavino and the American Dream

Children's Publishing

Commissioned | Professional

Why did you make this work:
We wanted to tell the story of Rafael Guastavino, who emigrated from Spain to the United States with his 8-year-old son. The aim was to tell the children about immigration, about the importance of cultural exchange, difficulties and also dreams, talking about architecture and inviting them to learn more about the buildings arround them. The best way to preserve our heritage is to know it.

How was the illustration used:
Children’s non-fiction pictured book. Written by Berta de Miguel, Kent Diebolt and Virginia Lorente.

How did you make this work:
Together with Berta de Miguel and Kent Diebolt, co-authors, we decided how we would tell the story. I developed the storyboard researching about architecture, characters, clothes... making a lot of sketches. I wanted to illustrate in a very synthetic and expressive way, with a very reduced range of color. Architecture should have a special role, the magnificent spaces designed by Guastavino.

Commissioner Name :
Jonathan Eaton
Commissioner Company :
Tilbury House Publishers

Social Media:
twitter.com/typicalvalencia
facebook.com/virginia.lorente.1
instagram.com/virginialorenteillustration

Personal Website:
virginialorente.com


Currently Based:
Spain

Biography:
Virginia Lorente is an architect and illustrator based in Valencia, Spain. She loves to tell stories through illustration. Her last book “My Favourite Houses” won the Serra d’Or award in Spain. The illustrations of “Immigrant Architect” were selected for The Original Art 2020 Exhibition of Children’s Book Illustration in NY and chosen for the winner collection by American Illustration AI 40.

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