From an early age, drawing has been a passion for Patricia Trigo (also known as Pati.te). Although she began her professional path studying Advertising and Public Relations in Pamplona, a decisive year in the United States brought her closer to the world of animation, taking her love for drawing to a new dimension. In 2016, she opened an account on Instagrambut soon became a platform to connect the hearts of thousands of people. With more than 170,000 followers, her work not only beautifies, but also inspires many people to renew their faith.
Your drawings show the joy of faith and the tenderness of God, especially through depictions of the Holy Family. Where did this vision of God come from?
- I am the seventh in a family of ten siblings. We received the faith at home and I attended a great school that fostered my spiritual growth. However, after college, my relationship with my faith began to change profoundly, especially during a year I spent in the United States. During that time, I questioned everything: how could God allow suffering? I felt lost, anxious and almost depressed. My mother was very supportive, even suggesting that I go to the doctor, but I knew that my problem had a spiritual background.
Thanks to a wonderful priest I met, I began to rediscover a Jesus who is a friend, who suffers with us and loves us in a way that I had not fully understood. That idea touched me deeply. I also discovered the "spiritual childhood" of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, something that resonated very much with me. I realized that I could not do it all alone, that I had to trust God as a child trusts her father. It was a great learning experience for me. It transformed not only my spiritual life, but also my artistic vision. I began to draw from the heart, reflecting that renewed faith and sharing it with others.
One of the recurring themes in your work is the Virgin Mary. Where does this strong bond with her come from?
- The Virgin Mary has always played a very important role in my life. Since I was a little girl, my parents told me about her love and care. But it was during this process of conversion and spiritual search that I really felt her presence in a very special way. In 2019, I went with a group of young people from the parish to Fatima, and there I rediscovered the Virgin Mary as a mother who tucks you in, who tells you not to worry and that she is there for you. I saw her as the shortest and most tender way to reach God.
Hearing again the story of the little shepherds and how, as children, they faced so many difficulties for telling the truth (that they had seen Our Lady and had a message to give) reminded me of the importance of spiritual childhood: to trust fully in God and in his love. It was like an encounter with Our Lady that gave me a new peace and strength to move forward.
And that's when you decided to dedicate yourself to evangelization?
- In Fatima I had the idea of making an illustration of the Virgin with me before we hugged, both of us excited. I thought of uploading it on May 13, the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, but I was hesitant because I was worried about how it might affect my professional career (at the time I was working in the world of animation in a completely secular production company). I remember that, in prayer, I told Our Lady: "If I share it and something goes wrong, it's your fault. If I'm out of work, you'll see". (laughs).
So I uploaded it, and it was a boom! The response was incredible. The followers grew, I received beautiful messages, and even media outlets became interested in my work. I realized that being authentic and sharing my faith could inspire others.
What happened next? How was Pati.te born as a recognizable brand?
- A few months after Fatima, COVID arrived and the parable of the talents challenged me a lot. I felt that the Lord was telling me: "Work with what I have given you". That, together with the message that our life on Earth is to prepare us for Heaven, helped me to stop being ashamed to share my faith openly.
In confinement I began to share more drawings related to faith. I would draw phrases that inspired me, such as one by St. Therese: "The elevator that will lift me to heaven is your arms, Jesus". This led to an illustration of Jesus, the Sacred Heart, playing with a little girl, tickling her. He alternated such drawings with more mundane ones, such as of Rosalia, but the response to religious illustrations grew.
What difficulties did you encounter along the way?
- At Christmas 2020 (when I was already receiving messages from people interested in commissions, in buying prints, media seeking me for interviews) I had a moment of intense prayer and discernment. On the one hand I saw that my work was bringing people closer to God and, on the other hand, I also found out that there were debates on Twitter about my work, some saying that my illustrations bordered on blasphemy, for drawing the Holy Family happy or the San Jose playing the guitar. I got really overwhelmed because I thought, "They're right, I'm nobody, I don't have a theology degree, what if I'm doing something wrong?
I went to my uncle, who is a priest, for advice. He reassured me a lot and encouraged me to go ahead. Since then, I pass on to him the illustrations I have doubts about.
What does it mean to you now to illustrate about your faith?
- Now I see it as a mission. At first I was afraid to be open with my faith, but with time I understood that it was a talent I had to share. Through my illustrations I try to transmit that love of God, that humanity of the saints and that closeness of the Virgin Mary that have transformed me so much.
At first I had the saints as something almost impossible to reach, as if they were perfect and out of our level. But when I began to read more about them, I discovered their humanity, their struggles, and that transformed me. For example, seeing how St. Teresa of the Child Jesus had normal difficulties, like getting along with other nuns, or how Mother Teresa of Calcutta faced spiritual darkness, made me understand that they too had challenges similar to ours. What set them apart was that they never gave up because they had God's grace. That inspired me to see that holiness is not an exclusive path for some, but something possible if you let God act in your life to sanctify it. Because in the end God is the one who makes you holy, He only needs us to let Him act.
How do you see the impact of artificial intelligence on art? Does it worry you? To tell you the truth I was alarmed when I saw that at the end of November that your website was under construction.
- (laughs). No, I'm not really worried about AI. I'm optimistic about a job like mine. I think AI challenges us to be more human and to go deeper into what we do. It can be a tool, but it will never replace the emotional and spiritual connection that handmade art has. In the end, I think it will make human art more valuable and appreciated.
And with respect to my website Don't worry, it is now fully operational, with Balconeras and new Christmas cards. There is nothing better than giving something that, in addition to being beautiful, helps to evangelize!
