On the Roof with Pau Estrada, Illustrator of Picasso’s Cat

Illustration, Rooftops, and the Ghosts of Dead Pigeons

Photographing Pau Estrada, a Barcelona-based illustrator, was one of those shoots where everything almost goes according to plan — except for the part where the magazine adds a weird pink overlay. But I’ve learned not to stress over editorial design choices. As long as I have an original I’m happy with — and the subject is too — that’s a win.

The shot was for an interview, which meant it needed ample negative space for text. I didn’t obsess over it, though. The rooftop location in Gràcia had great light, beautiful textures, and one of those unpredictable backgrounds that makes the image feel alive, not staged.

Of Cats, Picasso, and Barcelona Rooftops

Pau recently published a book — not about Picasso exactly, but about his cat, Minou. (Yes, the cat has a book. And yes, it’s charming.) The man’s got a knack for turning history into something warm, visual, and just a little quirky.

We shot on his building’s rooftop. Now, Barcelona terraces are a strange thing — people rarely use them. When you finally get up there, you’ll usually find dust, debris, and at least one dead pigeon. Pau’s was no exception. But despite the dirt and the ghosts of feral birds past, the view was stunning. A total waste of potential if left unused… which, happily, we didn’t.

The final photo may have been lightly mauled by design choices in post, but it still captured Pau in his element — surrounded by sky, story, and a splash of unpredictability.