Hanging out with romantic cows and an aquatic private dick thanks to Federico Gutiérrez

It’s hard to express just how excitable Federico Gutiérrez’ work makes me. The Mexican-born, Vancouver-based illustrator and animator produces imagery that feels like it was made especially for me (though I speak little Spanish). His dense, inky illustrations are packed full of film noir influences, mid-century Americana and Picasso-esque flourishes including an exasperated bull who seems to be questioning the purpose of the human romantic impulse above a lilliputian Poseidon – and why the hell wouldn’t he?

There’s private detectives emerging from lakes, surrealist discotheques and chic female characters suffering from serious malaise. In fact, Federico’s pathos-rich illustrations are like the inky translations of an Almodovar film with chatty fauna thrown in for good measure. Magnificent stuff!