Today we’re joined by Panterlo. Panterlo is a wonderful visual artist who specializes in imaginative imagery. Her work contains an incredibly use of color, giving it a sense of whimsy. The images look like they come directly from a vivid imagination. Panterlo shows an admirable dedication to her craft, as you’ll soon read. My thanks to her for taking the time to participate in this interview.

WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
Drawing was something I got serious about a few years ago. I’ve always been interested in a lot of different art forms growing up like music and theatre, but drawing was something that I always felt was within reach and where I could see improvement. It’s a wonderful way to translate your imagination and share it.
What inspires you?
Mostly other art: traditional paintings, animation etc. But also stories and lore can be pretty inspiring. The fun is letting existing things evolve in your imagination to make something new.

What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
I spent a lot of time in museums as a kid. There I saw these huge paintings that covered entire walls, made centuries ago. The pictures had aged and so they defied the artist purpose by becoming a testament to history. My childhood was Claud Monet, Michelangelo, DaVinci. Later that grew into a love for simplicity and animation style drawing.

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?
You’ll see the arrow pop up here and there, on jewellery or clothing, or just under my signature. There is something very pleasing about drawing and arrow that I can’t quite explain.
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
Be open to advice and stay determined. If for whatever reason it takes me 40 minutes to nail a sketch remember many people spend years on a single painting.

ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
I’m ace and aro.
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
Actually no, which I’m very happy about. I’ve encountered prejudice but very little and not by other artists. When it happens though I try to remember the community and all the lovely ace people I know and that one asshole is not going to erase that unity.
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
That I’m a naive child and I should be censored as one. And of course the classic: sexual attraction and desire are the same thing, and that there is only one type of attraction.

What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
Do your research. Look up ace or other LGBTQ+ YouTubers, READ, knowledge is power.
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
My Redbubble, where you can buy my art on shirts, phone cases, mugs etc.
https://www.redbubble.com/people/panterlo?asc=u
And my Tumblr
http://panterlo.tumblr.com/
Everything is under the username Panterlo, which is one of m favourite animals!

Thank you, Panterlo, for participating in this interview and this project. It’s very much appreciated.