here at maman, we take pride in finding and fostering beauty wherever we go. from the warm ambiance and rustic aesthetic of our cafés, right down to the vintage blue & white china, no detail goes unnoticed. as we branch out and open locations in new neighborhoods, we hope to recreate a bit of that same magic while also introducing new traditions.

in the spirit of collaboration, a custom cup competition was born. in celebration of miami art week, we held a cup artist contest to celebrate local talent. Rodrigo De Ojeda's beautiful designs and artistry completely won us over. it was our pleasure to work with him and reimagine his artwork as a patterned cup design.

get to know Rodrigo De Ojeda with this fun q&a!

1. when did you know that you wanted to be an artist?

I don’t think there was a single moment when I decided to be an artist, it was something that grew naturally. My mom is an artist, and she made creativity feel like part of everyday life. When she gave me a Salvador Dalí book as a kid, I remember being fascinated by the surreal worlds he created.

2. did you study art in school or are you self taught?

i’d say i’m self-taught. from a young age, i spent a lot of time drawing on my own, experimenting, and learning through observation and practice.

3. Has miami inspired any of your work?

yes, miami has definitely inspired my work. the city’s energy and diversity influence how i express myself, but my guatemalan roots are also a big part of my inspiration.

4. what are 3 of your favorite spots or activities to do in miami?

i love spending time outdoors, iding my bike around the city and swimming in the ocean. i also enjoy spending time with my family in key biscayne, which is always a relaxing and inspiring experience.

5. do you have any rituals that you like to do before you start a new piece of art?

i like to take a moment to clear my mind and organize my space. i usually listen to music and look through sketches or photos that inspire me, it helps me connect with the mood i want to create. 

6. what’s your favorite medium to work with?

my favorite mediums are pencils and technical pens. lately, i’ve been exploring acrylics, and it’s been a great experience.

7. where do you get your inspiration from for your work?

i get inspiration from many places, but two major influences are Salvador Dalí and also my mom has always been a huge source of inspiration, her creativity and dedication have deeply shaped how i approach my own art.

8. describe your artistic process: are you a planner or more go-with-the flow?

i like to go with the flow and let ideas develop naturally as i work. however, i also spend time planning, since space and details are very important to me.

9. if you could only pick 3 kinds of art supplies to work with, what would you choose?

pencils, paper and an eraser

10. what kind of color palette do you like to work with?

i’ve recently started exploring color more in my work. in the past, i focused mostly on black, white, and neutral tones, but now i’m experimenting with brighter palettes

11. what advice would you give to your younger self?

trust the process

12. what advice would you give to aspiring artists? 

my advice to aspiring artists is to be a little selfish when it comes to your art. don’t worry about what others might think or say, express yourself sincerely, and the wonder and inspiration will naturally follow.

you can find the maman x Rodrigo De Ojeda limited edition cup in all florida locations