The 'chien' days of summer are here! Check out CBC Arts' August logo

Every month, we feature a new take on the CBC Arts logo created by a Canadian artist. Check out our previous logos!

"It might sound cliché," says Felipe Arriagada-Nunez, "but life is my main inspiration." The Montreal artist often draws from the photos he stores on his phone — snapshots of all the moments that have made him laugh or pause to reflect. Through art, he tries his best to infuse reality with "love and magic," he says. And his CBC Arts logo design for August is the perfect example.

Chien Champion is the illustrator's professional alias, and his take on the CBC Arts logo definitely embraces the dog days of summer — or the chien days, if you will. It's a digital drawing that captures one of his favourite memories of the season so far, which he'll tell you more about in the questionnaire below.

Name: Felipe Arriagada-Nunez

Age: 27

Homebase: Montreal

Let's talk about your logo! What are we looking at?

A sunset over Baie-Saint-Paul, Que. I was there two weeks ago for Le Festif!, a music festival that takes place there every year. I had a lot of fun and was touched by the city, its beauty and the sense of community it exuded. The view is literally what you'd see from where I was staying — my friend Paul's family house. With the river running through the middle of the city, you can see people in swimsuits with swim rings walking down the streets; there's something quite surreal about it. There's a certain magic in the city, and I wanted to capture that moment.

What inspired the concept?

At first, I wanted to capture a hot summer day after sunset. We had just come out of a heat wave so it made sense. When I was in Baie-Saint-Paul, I was struck by the beauty of the place, so I wanted the scene to be set there.

What's new in your world? What are you working on these days?

I'm working on an animation project with symphonic orchestra music that will be presented in domes. It's my first time working on such a large scale, and since I really like classical music, I'm very excited.

What's the project you're most proud of?

I'm really proud of the mural I did for Cinéma Beaubien and Le Elsdale. It is a celebration of Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie — the neighbourhood I live in — as well as Québec's cinema and Cinéma Beaubien history. When the mural was finished, we threw a big party in the alley and we projected one of my favourite movies (Cinema Paradiso) in the park.

I was really nervous about painting such a large wall in my own neighbourhood, but I learned a lot, and almost every day I pass by and feel proud of how it resonates with the community.

What's your favourite place to see art?

Libraries and bookshops. I usually visit the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ) in Montreal and can spend hours browsing through books (usually the bigger ones that I can't bring home).

Who's the last artist you discovered online?

Tropiwhat. He is from Puerto Rico and his drawings — and the way he acts as a megaphone for his community — always impress me. He's made me cry and laugh. Definitely check him out!

What work of art do you wish you owned?

I am a big fan of Tove Jansson's Moomin, so any original would be incredible.

Are there any arts events on your radar this August? What are you excited to check out?

I'm going to Osheaga to see my inflatable kid, Chien Jazz, displayed. I am also really excited to see Planet Giza, Clay and Friends and Elyanna.

Where can we see more from you?

On my Instagram (@chien.champion).

This conversation has been edited and condensed.