Photo by Shruti Patel/ Daily Titan Photo Editor

By Chrissia White
For the Daily Titan

“Personajes de Colores: A Strange Cavalcade of Characters” is the newest and most talked about exhibit showcased at the Hibbleton Gallery in Downtown Fullerton, with an article in the OC Weekly, and posts on various social networks such as Facebook, Flickr and Art Slant which caters specifically to the art lover community.

Spanish artist Mar Hernandez’s artwork has had a warm welcome to the Downtown Fullerton gallery. The collection, “Personajes de Colores: A Strange Cavalcade of Characters,” features creative portraiture of fictional characters, colorful screen prints, drawings and sketching.

According to the exhibit handout, Mar Hernandez, also known as Malota, has shown her artwork around the world, in Mexico, Spain, Italy, San Diego and Los Angeles. Her work has been published internationally in magazines such as DPI, INJUV, Medicos del Mundo, Lamilk, Revista Colectiva and Art and Computer Design. She has also been published in the book, Sketchbook: Conceptual Drawings from the World’s Most Influential Designers.

Hernandez, 29, lives and works in Valencia, Spain. She holds a degree in fine arts and uses everything from pens, pencils, brushes and computers when creating her works of art. She also makes plush dolls and has a love for music.

In her artist statement, Malota says she has many influences like Charley Harper, Tim Biskup, Andrew Hem, and the animated series “Samurai Jack,” by Russian illustrator Genndy Tartakovsky.

In a Q-and-A with Nate Jackson of Heard Mentality, an Orange County music blog, Malota said that she does not like to talk about her work much, she just wants people to have their own interpretations.

“I don’t make conceptual art, so I don’t mind if they misunderstood some of my pieces,” said Malota in the Q-and-A.

Malota said she loves working with characters and using diverse techniques such as screen-printing, engraving painting, water color or pencil to simple Indian ink.

“I like the symmetry (which) is something that is constantly present in my work, I think that symbolizes balance, that balance so hard to achieve in everyday life,” Malota said.

The Hibbleton Gallery, surrounded by bars and restaurants, is one of the few places in the Fullerton community that displays underground art. This hidden treasure creates a quaint and comfortable environment for art viewers both new and experienced. There is no intimidation, just the viewer and the art in a simple, and intimate atmosphere.

The showcase began around 7 p.m. with light refreshments of wine accompanied with cheese and crackers. The guests strolled around the gallery admiring Malota’s newest pieces. Some of these pieces were used in her Mexico show in August.

Landon Lewis, 27, one of the six owners of the gallery, said they found Malota in a fall international group show called “surfacing” through Flickr.

“I like the simplicity, and how she exaggerates certain parts of her women characters,” Lewis said.

Jesse Latour, 30, a professor at CSUF said, “She is a Spanish artist who can bring different styles together.”

Ben Pham, 27, another owner and and the person most responsible for bringing Malota to Hibbleton, said he has been a fan of her work for three or four years.

“I first saw Malota’s work through Flickr and friend’s art books,” Pham said.

Malota’s pieces range from $80 to $600. One standout piece by the artist is called “Las Chica de Los Pajos.” With blue, orange, red and white, this Japanese-style portraiture illustrates detail and personality. Other favorite pieces were the colorful geometric-style screen printings, which resemble different animals such as lions and monkeys while others resemble mystical creatures.

“Personajes de Colores: A Strange Cavalcade of Characters” runs through Nov. 22. For more information, visit the gallery’s Web site: Hibbleton.com.