Hey everyone, got a copy of my interview with n*style magazine today!
Since it's my only copy, i couldn't cut it up to scan it, so sorry if the scans have a crease in them.
i cut and pasted the translated version of the interview for those can't speak Portuguese.
I hope you like it. :)
1. Do you think that drawing is an innate talent or you have to learn it?
A little bit of both. I think there are two parts to drawing; the motor skill of drawing and the style of drawing (Example: color, subject matter, materials, etc.). I know anyone can get really good at the motor skills of drawing with enough practice, but when it comes to style choices and composition, I think that might be an innate talent. For me, I always would draw and doodle ever since I was a little kid, but to quote my mom, "You always drew, but you were never very good at it." It wasn't until a few years ago when I decided to practice everyday, that I started getting better. I would draw some days for 15 hours straight till my hands were swollen shut. So, yeah, I definitely learned how to draw.
2. What happened to the fashion designs you made when you were 13?
I still have most of them. I did the little clothing company till I was 20, but then I got to a point where to take things to the next stage, I needed to get investors, and I decided it was a little too early in my life to get into debt, so I decided to leave that door open, and pursue fashion illustration.
3. Do you ever think about designing your own collection or your interest is only in recreating colections of great designers?
Oh, I'm very interested in designing my own collection. All the clothes from the "fairy tale"-esque paintings are clothes I designed. I'm always sketching up collections. Maybe, some day, I might try designing a collection and have it made.
4. The fact that some of your illustrations been improvised while you travel by car and others been draw so carefully at home and yet each one of them been easily recongnized as yours shows how personalized your work is?
Yeah, definitely, it is kind of funny, but my art is kind of like handwriting; whenever I draw, it always comes out looking like mine. It's nothing I try to do, it just is my style. I guess that's the only way I can explain it.
5. Fashion is obviously the essence of your creations. How do you see your work applied, for instance, to childrens book illustrations?
Well, actually, I'm working with Australian writer Sophie Ward on illustrating her children's book for Paper Castle Press right now. I really like illustrating children's books, because it brings out a different style in my work. Also, growing up, children's books were some of my favorite things.
6. How important was your course in photography and how much does it influenciate your work?
Photography is definitely a big component when I'm concepting a picture.
7. Which other art, places, people inspires you?
I'm inspired by almost everything. The artists that inspire me are Audrey Beardsley and Egon Schiele; there is something about their work that just inspires me to keep working more and more. Also, designers Alexander Mcqueen and John Galliano, because they have a whimsical, dream-like quality to their work. My favorite Fashion Photographers are Man Ray and Steven Meisel.
8. You reveal on your blog some of your illustration technics. Do you always follow one rule, many rules or do you have none?
I am one who completely loves techniques. I love experimenting and developing new techniques. When I look at a picture, or when I am starting to develop an idea, I think through all the different techniques or ways to create a piece, and figure out what is a fit. As far as rules, I really don't have any rules...Well, maybe one rule is find out what the rules are, then figure out how to break them. In Art, I think that is one of the best things I have heard someone say. I actually have a video Documentary up at igorandandre.blogspot.com (click on videos). In the Video, I show the full process of the self portrait that I drew for this article.
9. By your drawings I can tell one of your favorite subjects is women (fashion has male models too), why is that?
That is a good question. For me, I draw what I love because I think that being emotionally connected to the subject that I'm working with produces really sincere work. For me, women inspire me more than anything.
10. What’s your favourite work?
I would have to say without a doubt that my favorite work is my Character Sketch Book. It is my most personal body of work, because it chronicles the infancy stages of me learning how to draw, all the way up to the present. I have one drawing left in the book, which will be my 200th drawing in it. I've posted a lot of pages from the book on my blog. This is the project that I am most proud of.
11. As a fashion illustrator, is there anything you would refuse to draw?
Hmm...interesting question. So far, there has not been anything. I usually only like to draw things that inspire me, because then I know I'm going to do my best work.
12. How do you define your work?
I would say my work is an extension of me. It really is.... I try to be emotionally connected with all of my work and really pour as much of myself into it as I can.
13. In one word, how do you define a 23 years old illustrator who already has in his portfolio works like the lookbook of 2008 New York Fashion Week, reinterpretations of Prada or Roberto Cavalli campaigns, Vogue covers or Kate Moss portraits?
Blessed.
14. What would be the dream situation for you as an illustrator?
One of my biggest dreams is to illustrate a Vogue cover, because some of my favorite illustrations are old 1920's Vogue covers. I would love to bring it back.
15. Despite your success, are you a simple guy?
Tell us something about you that goes beyond your work.
Yes, definitely, I am a simple guy! I love hanging out spending time with my family. I like to keep my life as calm as I can. I wake up early and read for a little, then start drawing until I go to bed. In addition, I coached high school wrestling with my dad till this year, and now I have been coaching a little kids (ages 5-9) wrestling team. I definitely love teaching kids.
16. Are you eco-friendly?
As much as I can be. For example: I don't drive, and I work alot with making things out of recycled cardboard. Actually, this year, I build a 9ft X 6ft X 3ft window display, for an environmentally friendly boutique in San Francisco, all out of recycled cardboard.
17. Do you agree that fashion can help saving the planet?
I think they can help get things rolling, but Fashion is just a component, an essential component, but a component. I think, ultimately, it will take everyone making a conscious effort to do just a little to help; that will be the key.
