Today we’re joined by Ana Paula. Ana is a wonderfully talented artist from Brazil who is currently studying graphic design. A lot of her inspiration comes from math and geometry in particular. As you look at her work, you can see the influence of geometric patterns on it. Ana is an incredibly passionate artist and it shows. My thanks to her for taking the time to participate in this interview.
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
I study graphic design at college but I do lots of different things since I was never sure of what I liked most. So I have paintings, drawings, digital art, photography, some handcrafted home decoration, lots of experiments and I consider my hair a work of experimental art too, hahaha. A good part of what I do has geometric patterns and contrasting colors but not always. As I’m not very close to the nature, I like my colors and shapes to be inorganic. I like to do some lettering too.
What inspires you?
I have lots of influences, math and geometry inspire me a lot when drawing patterns, I’m obsessed with Fibonacci and the golden ratio. Sometimes fashion inspires me, I see patterns everywhere I go. I really like abstract art, cubism, op art, modern and post modern art, glitch art, flat design but there’s a lot of other different inspirations beside these ones.
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
I liked to draw and paint a lot as a kid, I really love colors. Later on I spent years copying the works I found cool, I noticed I was kinda good at copying and then I decided to do my own just some years ago.
Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in your work that you’d be willing to reveal?
I sign as APPL, I have used it since I was 7.
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
Don’t give up doing what you like and remember that people are different and their expressions are different too. Unfortunately you won’t please everyone, so don’t feel bad. Doing what you really like is very important, do what matters for you.
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
Romantic Asexual
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
I don’t usually talk about asexuality with people unless they ask me things like my orientation or asexuality itself. They generally don’t understand at first but well, I’m here to explain.
People like to call me straight because I have a boyfriend even after I tell them I’m not. This drives me mad but I keep telling every time “I’m not straight, I’m not attracted to men, I’m asexual.”
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
“Why do you have a boyfriend then” or “You are not asexual because you have a boyfriend”
“Have you tried with women” because people generally assume that I have tried with a man before.
“That’s not possible”
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
Google stuff, it saved my life. There are people just like you out there, there are people that understand you, there are useful websites and wonderful communities to help you find yourself, but remember that only you can feel what you feel, we are here to help you, to make you feel comfortable in being who you are and sharing experiences. Talk to people who accept you as who you are, no matter your orientation, and don’t let people decide for you.
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
I don’t have my paintings, drawings and digital art posted yet because I didn’t have courage to post it until now. For now I have this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/designimada/ I plan to post some things soon.
My Fibonacci themed pics: https://www.instagram.com/fibonarte/ (at) fibonarte
My collection of patterns and textures (pics too): http://vsco.co/analepse/
My 2015 hair project: http://restinganaface.tumblr.com/
and my main Tumblr: http://colecaodaana.tumblr.com/
Thank you, Ana, for participating in this interview and this project. It’s very much appreciated.
