Hello, I am Francesca Aiello, Italian illustrator based in Madrid.
I can describe my illustrations as a combination of different techniques, both digital and traditional. I love experimenting; it gives me the opportunity to stay connected to myself and the world around me. My work is strongly influenced by minimalist writers such as Alice Munro and Raymond Carver. The fascination with intimate domestic space is the reason why I always build my illustrations around a narrative or character.
When I’m not drawing, I’m a voracious reader and a curious explorer.
EDUCATION
Printmaking and engraving, School of Arts Artediez, Madrid -In Progress-
Higher Education on Illustration, School of Arts Artediez, Madrid
Master’s Degree in Architecture, University of Rome
AWARDS
2023 Winner of International contest “Italian Excellence. Illustrations for Italo Calvino” organized by Bologna Children’s Book Fair
2023 Shortlisted in the Opera Prima Prize, section of BolognaRagazzi Award “BRAW”
2022 Shortlisted in the Apila Award
2021 Longlisted in The Unpublished Picturebook Showcase 3
2021 Honorable Mention in the 3×3 The Magazine of Contemporary Illustration International Show No. 18
2021 Shortlisted in the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
2021 Shortlisted in the Apila Award
2020 First Prize in the Apim New Talent Award
2020 First Prize in the Madrid Fine Art Award
BOOKS
Una splendida giornata, by Silvia Forti – la Margherita Edizioni -forthcomin-
Eccellenze italiane. Figure per Italo Calvino, AA.VV. – Mondadori, 2023
Il paese di Tic Tac, by Isabella Paglia – la Margherita Edizioni, 2023
I libri del signor Caprone, by Francesca Mascheroni – la Margherita Edizioni, 2022
Canción novísima de los gatos, by Federico García Lorca –burro lector, 2022
SELECTED CLIENTS
Laboratoi/RE, Foundation of Culture of Vaud, University of Wageningen, burro lector, la Margherita Edizioni.
EXHIBITIONS
2023 Italian Excellence. Illustrations for Italo Calvino, Bologna Children’s Book Fair
2023 The BRAW Amazing Bookshelf, Bologna Children’s Book Fair
2023 ENCUENTRAZOS, Exhibition of finalist projects from Apila’s Award
2021 Illustrators Exhibition, Bologna Children’s Book Fair
2016 Exhibition in collaboration with Swiss photographer Amélie Blanc for “Fondation Vaudoise pour la Culture” , Switzerland
2015 Exhibition “1+1” , Switzerland
PRESS
I nuovi colori di Calvino, Corriere della Sera
Nel paese della fretta c’è anche chi può perdere tempo, Avvenire
I consigli di lettura di Laura Campanello, la Cicala
I libri del Signor Caprone, Il Rosicchialibri
I libri del Signor Caprone, ZeBuk
Premios Apim 2020, eme21mag
Conoce a los ganadores de los Premios APIM De Ilustración 2020, Experimenta