Embarking on the Big Island journey brought unforgettable moments at Maku'u Farmers Market, Red Road, Kehena Black Sand Beach, Paradise Park, and Manini'owali Beach (Kua Bay). The island's natural charm and captivating allure create a sensation of a far-off paradise. It's truly surreal to reflect on the fact that this was once home. Amidst the mix of emotions—longing, a hint of sadness for what's left behind, and profound gratitude for the cherished memories.
Submerging my canvas in the beauty of Hawaii, absorbing and reflecting the essence of this paradisiacal island.
I am gripped with conflicting emotions as I contemplate my upcoming visit to the Big Island of Hawaii - my first in 5 years. It's a bit akin to encountering an ex-lover. We once shared a life, intertwining our existence with moments of intimacy and dreams of a shared future. However, our union abruptly came to an end when Kilauea volcano erupted in 2018.
I'm thrilled to be part of the upcoming second annual Utah Indigenous Fashion Week scheduled for this Saturday, February 10, at Material Contemporary. The convergence of art, fashion, and culture is immensely meaningful to me, serving as a gateway to contribute and integrate into my new community.
My heartfelt gratitude goes out to the businesses and individuals who played a crucial role in bringing this event to life. A special thanks is extended to Colour Maisch and Jorge Rojas for their exceptional contributions. I'm also eagerly anticipating the opportunity to exhibit a piece from my "Sacred Skins" collection: "The Lamb of God." This creation pays homage to my late father's Brazilian gaucho heritage and my Amazonian Guarani indigenous ancestry. OCA is pleased to present Transference, featuring artworks by teaching artists and students of Artist Factory. This exhibit represents the skill, innovation, and vibrancy shared within our arts education programs and community. Our teaching artists create lessons for youth that integrate the elements and principles of art & design with themes of identity, social justice, environmentalism, family, and mental health.
The Artist Factory hosts and administers a comprehensive schedule of quality workshops taught by professional artists. We’ve partnered with local organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs of Weber-Davis, Youth Impact, YCC Family Crisis Center, The Monarch, Utah Division of Arts & Museums, Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs, and the Weber Valley Youth Center. Our teaching artists develop lesson plans that engage media across artistic disciplines including photography, videography, painting, drawing, printmaking, performance art, new genres, and more. By expanding our youths’ skills, knowledge, and confidence in an array of art forms and providing community platforms to showcase their talents, we believe the arts help our youth achieve success at school, home, and beyond. Exhibiting Artists: Samantha da Silva, Inez Garcia, Joshua Graham, Jeffery Hampshire, Emily Hawkins, Colour Maisch, Nancy Andruk Olson, Rebecca Pletsch, Jorge Rojas, Douglas Tolman & Artist Factory Students 'Broken Open' & 'Setting Myself Free', mixed media on canvas, 48" x 36" Purchase inquiry at Gallery Mar Excited to reveal glimpses of the installation of "The Golden Calf" at Urban Hill restaurant today. I am profoundly thankful for amazing individuals and institutions, such as this one, that play a vital role in championing the artistic community by investing in unique and unconventional pieces like this.
Art possesses an extraordinary capacity to offer us a fresh perspective on the world, and their support stands as a testament to the limitless and transformative power of artistic expression. "The Golden Calf", Brazilian cowhide & gold pigment on frame, 48" x 36" This project holds a special place in my heart, as it was a cherished collaboration with the visionary team at WOW Atelier. Together, we endeavored to craft unique, textural pieces for a family who had recently relocated to Utah. Our collaboration involved incorporating soil from a memorable hike the family took to Stewart Falls, adding a personal touch to the bespoke creations.
I have chosen to include this piece in my digital portfolio, a garment created through the process of imprinting my body onto a painted canvas. The intention behind this artistic expression is to emphasize the interconnectedness of the canvas with my identity—I am the canvas, and the canvas is me. Through the act of painting, we reveal and project our true selves onto the surface.
The essence of my life as an artist is where I find a profound sense of purpose. It is within this realm that I truly belong. Despite being Brazilian without residing in Brazil, Canadian without living in Canada, and a permanent resident not yet fully American, painting provides me with a profound sense of belonging. This sense of connection is not tied to a specific geographical location but rather to the act of creation itself. My artworks lead such a glamorous life. These commissioned paintings have shared dinners with the cast of Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, The Los Angeles Lakers, and the Utah Jazz.
Whenever I reunite with my paintings, it feels like encountering old friends—a delightful reunion! Regardless of the time that has passed, there remains an intrinsic connection between us. Recently, I encountered this diptych at one of Salt Lake City's finest restaurants: Urban Hill. Stunning new triptych installation for our talented friends at Studio Moxie Architects. These large-scale sculptural pieces draw inspiration from the enchanting Utah desert - each canvas infused with sand, soil, and sawdust.
From left to right: "An Oasis of the Spirit", "A Firm Foundation", and "Refuge", mixed media on canvas, 60" x 48". Purchase inquiries at Gallery Mar |
This blog was created to share my belief that the art-making process is a catalyst for transformation and personal empowerment. I am living proof.
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