Spanish illustrator Pepa Prieto is among the barrage of incredible folk art influenced illustration surfacing in 2009. This return to character driven line work and flat illustration is perhaps a reflection of public sentiment toward recent world economic hardship. Prieto is hard at work on both commercial and gallery showings with an exhibition at Barcelona’s Iguapop Gallery and recent projects for Pony, Element Skateboards, and MTV. Her work will remain on view at Iguapop until September 12th, if you happen to be in the area this is a must see.

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For sisters María and Uxía Domínguez textiles are in their lineage. In early 2005, after making a graceful departure from the line their father founded, the two created Bimba and Lola. The line is delicate and feminine yet overwhelmingly practical. The Spring/Summer 2009 collection is a ready to wear indulgence driven by the finest Spanish textiles. While there are dozens of Bimba and Lola boutiques in Spain they have barely begun to expand into Europe and Asia. Beijing and Singapore stores opened in 2008 and more are slated for this year. It seems the Dominguez sisters are on a roll and it can’t be long before Bimba and Lola hits the US.

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For over a century, Barcelona has inspired artists to create their best works. Here, Gaudi designed his outrageous, fantastical architectural buildings and Picasso painted some of his most memorable masterpieces. The streets still buzz with artistic life and that’s partially in thanks to Anna Taratiel.

In her work, the Barcelona native juxtaposes rigid geometric shapes with soft organic lines, then adds intense colors that cause your eye to bounce all around the image. The result are cartoonish images, a touch reminiscent of Lichtenstein, which convey deep emotion and movement through the simple shapes and balance of color, whether they’re thrown up as street art or displayed in a traditional gallery. I’ve personally found myself most moved by her (possibly illegal?) hulking outdoor works that must startle the passerby upon first glance. Commissioned or not, it seems she has designed them so they improve, not detract, from the original space.

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Spanish illustrator Raquel Aparicio blows us away time and time again with her delicate drawings and rich, but not overwhelming, color palette. Unlike other artists who have a single, trademark style, Aparicio uses a variety of techniques and styles that makes her work appear to be created by many different hands. For instance, in the series “Russian Fairy Tales,” some pieces are painted in what appears to be the Japanese style, while in others she makes her own twist on traditional folk art.

Though at first glance Aparicio’s work appears wholly sweet, you’ll notice when you look deeper that there is an almost sinister-like quality to many of of her images. Scissors with teeth, women strumming roaches like violins, and insane Cookie Monsters are just a few examples of the darker side of the images created by this woman who also, at times, illustrates children’s books and items for the New York Times.

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Formerly known as Itte Studio, Allan the Gallant is the creation of Alex Bedoya and Ana Montiel. The Barcelona based studio brings an illustrative style to a variety of applications. Noteworthy are their pattern designs, especially the hand drawn ones.

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The Danish Pavilion at the World Expo 2008 in Zaragoza, Spain is a massive sight to see all thanks to three Copenhagen-based firms: Spektrum Arkitekter, Loop Associates and 2+1 communication agency. Inside are the Circulos de Agua (Circles in the Water), an exhibition about sustainable living and lasting solutions that echoes the water and sustainability theme of the World Expo, itself. The underlying message is that everything we do spreads like ripples through water. Five cylinders displaying one of the five different themes ( Wind, Water, Daylight, Biomass, Restaurant & Shop ) are suspended from the ceiling with purplish-blue hues swirling throughout.