Meet Yu Zapata (@YuZapata3SC), the Colombian artist turning city walls into vibrant celebrations of Caribbean joy through his beloved character, Palometa the pigeon. From graphic designer to full-time artist, Yu’s journey began when a simple sketchbook gift reawakened his childhood passion for comics. Now, his playful urban art — born from Cartagena’s colorful streets and fueled by everyday humor — spreads infectious happiness worldwide. In this candid interview, Yu shares how lockdown transformed his artistic path, why he believes art should make people giggle, and his ambitious dream to elevate street art to fine art status. Discover the creative mind behind those whimsical pigeons that are redefining Latin American urban art.
🟥 Can you share a bit about your background and the journey that led you to becoming an artist?
All my life I’ve been surrounded by art. My mom is a self taught artist, she painted all the decorations of my house and she taught us all the techniques she learned from magazines or classes, so I carry this love for art in my veins. After school I wanted to become a Marvel Comics artists, but that was impossible to achieve living in Cartagena, my hometown in Colombia, so I went to study graphic design. After graduating from the university I started my own company 18 years ago where we implement creativity to communicate sustainability projects, that was where all my imagination was pointed at. But in 2018 one of my associates gifted me a Moleskine notebook to get back into art and express my ideas with a pencil. That moment I found myself again drawing comics and with my love for art reborn.
🟥 Was there a defining moment or experience that solidified your decision to pursue art seriously?
In 2020 at the lockdown my art style has had evolved into doodle art and I found an open call by a NY brand called They Draw and Travel, where they wanted people to draw maps of the places they missed to walk around. SInce I live in Bogotá I missed my hometown so much, so I painted a heartfelt walkthrough Cartagena and that piece was published in their book: WHERE WE WALK (you can find it on Amazon). That moment was decisive because I wasn’t drawing comic characters or commissions, I was drawing something from my heat and people connected with it. That moment I say to myself: I want to do this more often, I want to be an artist.
🟥 Do you remember the first piece of art you created, and what inspired you to make it?
I consider my first art piece that map of Cartagena.
🟥 What inspires you the most when creating your art?
Happy moments of everyday life, memes, tiktoks, funny ideas and the thought of represent it with my character: Palometa the Pigeon.
🟥 Are there specific activities, rituals, or moments that fuel your creativity?
Going to museums, art exhibitions and connecting with like minded people. Also watching funny videos and memes.
🟥 How would you personally define art, and what deeper meaning does it hold for you?
Art is my way to bring happiness into everyday life. I want people to look at my art and giggle or feel joy just to connect with the colors.
🟥 What part of the creative journey excites you the most — conceiving an idea, the act of creating, or finishing the piece?
Finishing a digital piece and then get excited to paint it over a wall or canvas.
🟥 Do you follow a structured plan when creating art, or is your process more spontaneous?
My process is very structured, I start with sketches of the idea with paper and pencil, then make the digital piece on Procreate and then go to the physical surface.
🟥 What time of day do you feel the most creative, and why do you prefer that time for your work?
I’m more creative during the night, but I like to paint by day because I don’t like to wait for the painting to dry.
🟥 Do you listen to music while creating, and how does it influence your process?
I listen to music at every moment of my life, I feel it like a soundtrack. I listen to many genres depending on the painting, the moment of day or the mood I’m in. Could be heavy metal, could be champeta music from Cartagena, everything goes.
🟥 Do you have any specific rituals or routines you follow before starting a new project?
Just painting the digital piece first to pick the colors, change things, etc.
🟥 What is the most challenging aspect of creating art, and how do you navigate those?
Right now is the space. I don’t have a studio or room to paint, so I have to paint in my living room or sometimes at the park.
🟥 What keeps you motivated during times when creativity feels like a struggle?
The support of my wife and my family.
Watching my artist friends make great stuff.
My will to become one of the greatest artists of my time.
🟥 Can you share an experience or lesson that contributed the most to your growth as an artist?
My advice for everybody who reads this article is this: do the things you love because you love them, don’t do it for the money.
🟥 Is there a piece of advice you received that completely changed the way you create or think about art?
One gallerist/artist told me once: you have to believe that you’re an artist (tienes que creerte el cuento de ser artista).
🟥 When you view a piece of art, what qualities or emotions do you look for?
Texture, movement, colors and happiness.
🟥 How do you perceive art’s purpose and its impact on individuals and society?
Art’s purpose is to get you out of this world, out of everyday life, thinking, reflecting, connecting or analyzing.
🟥 In your view, what do concepts like “passion” and “uniqueness” represent in art?
Passion has to be the main engine for art, passion for what you do, doing things with passion in all moments of your life, giving the extra mile for what you love. Uniqueness for me is exclusivity, everything I create I want it to be unique for my collectors and the people who connect with my art.
🟥 What are the non-negotiable essentials in your workspace?
Music, acrylic markers and spray paint.
🟥 Do you have a favorite tool or object in your studio that holds sentimental value?
Many things. I have some paintings made by my mom, drawings by my niece, toys, I can’t say there are favorites.
🟥 What’s the one thing you always need by your side while creating art?
Music and a hat, because I paint my hair when I don’t use one.
🟥 Who are the artists or people you admire the most, and why?
Excely Lamir (my mom) = She’s like an art library, full of resources and experience.
Helio Bray = Amazing spray paint skills and concept.
Pez Barcelona = Great inspiration for my character and a great guy to hang around.
Sabet = He’s a great artist and he uses his marketing skills very good.
🟥 Imagine you could create a piece of art in collaboration with someone from history. Who would you choose and why?
Maybe Andy Warhol. A collaboration with him would be amazing because we both like to portrait items and moments from everyday life through vivid colors and a perspective to make them unique. Also I would learn a lot about his marketing skills for art and create great connections with pop culture icons.
🟥 What’s your superpower?
Finding funny solutions to serious problems….or let’s make it interesting and say: resilience.
🟥 What does success as an artist mean to you — recognition, impact, or something else entirely?
Success is enjoying every step of the way.
🟥 Can you tell us about a piece of your art that holds a special place in your heart and why it’s so meaningful to you?
Sunset Walkthrough Cartagena, that was the 1st appearance of Palometa in an art piece.
🟥 What are your dreams or goals for the future?
To have my Palometas showcased at the top galleries, art shows and auction houses in the world, putting street art to the same level as a fine art form. Hopefully while I’m still young and alive!
🟥 How would you define a “creative person”?
A person who finds simple solutions to complicated problems.
🟥 In your opinion, what are the positive and negative differences between being an artist today and being an artist a century ago?
A positive and negative difference is globalization. Right now an artist can reach more people around the world, get inspired from different colleagues and connect with more collectors. The challenge is that now there’s a bigger audience that you have to captivate.
🟥 In your opinion, what are the best and most challenging aspects of being an artist?
For me is very challenging to have patience and it’s something I have to work on everyday. Patience to reach your goals by realizing they will come in time, because you have to grow as an artist and a person first.
🟥 What advice would you give to aspiring artists who want to build a meaningful career?
Maybe it’s a little cliché, but it’s very meaningful when you finally do it: believe in what you love, in what you do and in yourself. Wins will come by themselves.
Relevant Links:
Portfolio: behance.net/YuZapata
Instagram: instagram.com/yuzapata3sc
Twitter: twitter.com/yuzapata3sc
Note: The answers given by the artist have been quoted verbatim without any editing to preserve the artist’s authentic voice for our readers.
