Ep 1: Meet Marta Zubieta
Some people inspire change by making noise. Others do it by helping us see the world differently.
Welcome to The Change Makers, our new monthly series celebrating the people who inspire us to be braver, think differently and come as we are.
Every month, we’ll introduce you to a new Change Maker: an artist, creative or brilliant human whose ideas, work and way of moving through the world have stayed with us, inspired us or made us feel different.
For Episode 1, meet Bristol-based multidisciplinary artist Marta Zubieta.
Colour, courage and wonderfully weird ideas
Originally from Seville, Marta creates murals, illustrations, sculptures and public art filled with saturated colour, surreal characters and brilliantly strange details.
Her work is bold, playful and impossible to ignore. Strange creatures, tropical forms, retro references and dreamlike scenes all collide to create worlds that invite you to stop, look closer and get a little lost.
But it isn’t only Marta’s unmistakable visual style that inspires us. It’s the way she has built her creative life: following unexpected turns, saying yes to opportunities before she felt completely ready and continuing to make the ideas that felt exciting to her, even the weird ones.
Marta describes her journey as a “colourful zigzag rather than a straight line”, and we love that. She reminds us that change doesn’t always arrive as one enormous, perfectly planned moment. Sometimes it happens when you trust your instincts, show people what you’ve made and take the scary opportunity anyway.
Marta, Bristol and Lucy & Yak
When we were looking for someone to collaborate with on our new Bristol shop on Park Street, Marta felt like the perfect fit.
There’s a joyful boldness to her work that immediately felt at home with Lucy & Yak. We share a love of colour, creativity, self-expression and doing things a little differently. Marta’s wonderfully weird characters and surreal details bring an extra burst of imagination to the shop and reflect the creative spirit of Bristol itself.
The collaboration doesn’t end there. We’re working with Marta on a mural for the outside of our Park Street shop, so watch this space for even more colour—and more Marta Zubieta.
You’ll also be able to pick up a Limited Edition Marta Zubieta tote bag, available exclusively from our Bristol shop.
Once they’re gone, they’re gone!
We caught up with Marta to talk about her creative journey, finding her people in Bristol and why you shouldn’t wait until you feel ready to make the weird idea.
Where are you from and what do you do?
I’m originally from Seville, Spain, but Bristol has been my creative home for the last few years.
I’m a multidisciplinary artist, which is a fancy way of saying I love making things in lots of different forms: murals, illustrations, sculptures, public art, packaging… If I can cover it in colour and weird little characters, I’m probably interested.
Why do you do what you do, and how long have you done it?
I’ve been drawing since I could hold a pencil, but it is my relationship with Bristol and music that has led me to where I am now.
Professionally, I’ve been working as an artist for over eight years. I make art because it’s how I make sense of the world. I love creating playful worlds that invite people to pause, smile, spot tiny details and maybe feel like they’ve stepped into a daydream for a moment.
I’m originally from Seville, Spain, but Bristol has been my creative home for the last few years.
I’m a multidisciplinary artist, which is a fancy way of saying I love making things in lots of different forms: murals, illustrations, sculptures, public art, packaging… If I can cover it in colour and weird little characters, I’m probably interested.
What happened that led to where you are now?
It’s been a bit of a colourful zigzag rather than a straight line.
I studied Fine Art and Graphic Design, then packed up my life and moved from sunny Seville to rainy Bristol without knowing exactly what would happen. I started singing in bands and creating artwork for DJ collectives.
At first it was daunting, but saying yes to opportunities—even the scary ones—led me to murals, art trails, festivals and collaborations I never imagined I’d be part of.
Looking back, every unexpected detour turned out to be pointing me in the right direction.
What would you tell your younger self
Stop waiting until you’re ready. Make the weird idea. Apply for the thing. Don’t hide your work. Don’t compare yourself to people who are ten steps ahead. Do art because you like it, and if you like it, people will too. And maybe wear sunscreen… you’ll be painting outside a lot!
What does Lucy & Yak mean to you?
Lucy & Yak feels like finding your people. Colourful, joyful and expressive! I’ve always loved how they encourage people to embrace who they are, wear what makes them happy and not take life too seriously.
Painting a mural for them feels like such a natural fit because I think we both believe in the power of colour dopamine. I am also really flattered because I love their ethos—both their commitment to nature and their ethos towards their staff.
I’m hoping my art collaboration and the new shop on Park Street bring them lots of success!
Marta’s work makes the world brighter, stranger and more interesting. More importantly, it encourages people to pause, smile and imagine something different. That is exactly what being a Change Maker means to us.
Visit our Bristol shop on Park Street to see Marta’s work and pick up one of the Limited Edition Marta Zubieta tote bags, available exclusively in store.
And keep your eyes on the outside of the shop. There’s more Marta magic coming soon.
Next month, Episode 2 introduces Rosia Nolan, founder of Local Makers Market, which brings together brilliant independent creatives at wonderful makers’ markets across Norwich, Cambridge and London. Until then, explore their upcoming events and find a market near you.
