Artist Bio
I was born and raised in Santo Andre, a suburb of Sao Paulo in Brazil, and since I was a little kid I was always creating something. I remember writing and illustrating comic books with characters I created, customizing outfits for my dolls, and making colorful drawings on the walls against mom’s will, among other creative adventures. My first artistic expression in the world was as a dancer, I was a professional ballerina for 12 years, and I danced in a company all over South America. I have a dancer's soul, I always want to move my body like a constant dance.
When it was time to choose a college I decided to study fashion, I went to London and later FIT in New York City. I first chose London for that seamless balance between traditional and vanguard in all they do, design, fashion, art, and music. I love starting with traditional and deconstructing it, breaking all the rules and challenging the techniques, almost not even wanting to know too much so I can keep doing art or fashion my own way, with an open mind and creativity.
I then had a career in fashion and eventually started my own line, called Philosofée, I launched and sold collections for around 15 years. I’ve been part of designer collectives in London and New York, I had the amazing opportunity to present runway shows at both cities' fashion weeks.
Every time I created a fashion collection it was never about the clothes, but the inspiration and story I was telling through it. I created characters, and a universe for them with photoshoots and short movies that I produced almost every season.
On the side, as a creative outlet, just for fun, I was painting, but in the closet. I never showed anyone my paintings for years, I did not see myself as an artist by then. Until a couple of friends saw them in my house and really had strong reactions to my pieces. Then something shifted in the way I was looking at myself as an artist, I realized it is a good thing to cause emotions and reactions through my art and that they are meant to be seen. Since then my motto is if it inspires one single person in the world it was already worth it, if it puts a smile on a face, if it brings tears or memories, it means I did it from my heart, with depth and truth connecting with other hearts and souls. Isn’t that what art is all about?
I slowly and organically started shifting most of my time and energy towards painting rather than fashion and the ways started to open in this field for me. I did a few collaborations with other artists, I had a solo exhibition in Los Angeles, I have my pieces in a few designer collective stores, and I have my paintings and illustrations in books, including my own first poetry book, called Unfiltered Thoughts & Poetic Moments.
I have now based in Austin, Texas, since 2022, I moved here following my intuition. When I got here I reconnected with dance and that inspires me even more to keep creating, moving the body, moving my energy, and expressing myself in different ways.
My family is still in Brazil and I visit at least a couple times a year, I spend lots of time on an island I lived for 6 years, Florianopolis, my favorite place there. It is recharging and inspiring to me.