A few weeks ago we decided to share with you some of our favourite illustrations: creativity, just like a healthy lifestyle, is perfect for the care of the mind and body. Among the artists we talked about is Riccardo Guasco, a talented illustrator and painter from Alessandria who currently collaborates with many realities. We had the pleasure of getting to know him and chatting about his work and the value he places on the bicycle: here's our interview.

Illustration by Riccardo Guasco for the Dolomites Marathon

Hello Riccardo, nice to meet you! What are 3 adjectives you would use to describe yourself?

Definitely ironic, abstract, illustrated.

How was your passion for illustration born?

It was born a long time ago, when I discovered I had a strange familiarity with visual language and images: I was drawn to them when I saw them in newspapers, in the street, in school books, in galleries, in comics. My passion for this language led me to always attend art schools and finally find in the figure of the illustrator the right balance between work, art, passion and personal expression of myself.

We noticed that many of your illustrations are bike-themed and of course we cannot fail to ask you: why?

Everything started by chance, when I started to trace profiles of cyclists in a notebook after watching a TV special dedicated to Fausto Coppi. I was born in Alessandria and between Coppi and Girardengo the call of the bicycle has always been strong, even though I do not have a real passion for cycling as a sport. This led me to appreciate the "shape" of the bicycle, its lines, dynamism, dust, effort, sustainability that distinguishes it as a means of transport compared to many others.

What does the bike represent for you?

An essential means of transport of the past that, if used in the present, can improve our future.

Have you ever made a trip by bike? If the answer is no, would you like to have this experience?

Unfortunately, I have never made long trips by bicycle, as I said, I use it as an urban transport, but never to make long trips. That said, I would like to undertake a journey on two wheels obviously with suitable physical and mental preparation. I believe that the silence, the effort, the slowness of the wheel and the immersion in the landscape that can be seen from a bicycle are an incredible amplifier of beauty!

If you also want to discover all the illustrations of Riccardo and his way of working, on his website you can find all the information.

And if you too, like him, have never tried the experience of riding a bike, do not hesitate to contact us, at the link below you can also book a free consultation with our cycle tourism experts: take advantage of it!

Article by Travel On Art