Rapid Fire Questions:
Mariana Destro

“...do not stay put. Work, work, work. Be aware of your surroundings and be able to identify opportunities”

Mariana Destro lives and works in Brazil. We were excited to feature Mariana’s work in Pictoria Volume.1, The Best Contemporary Illustrators Worldwide whilst she studied for her BA in Visual Arts. Following her graduation from the University of Brasilia, Mariana has exhibited her works in a number of galleries and is active in her local creative community. Read on to learn more about Mariana’s creative practice!

Who are you and what do you do?

I'm Mariana Destro, visual artist and designer based in Brazil.

How would you describe your work?

Experimental girl gaze

How do you go about creating your artwork? Do you prefer to work digitally or with traditional media?

I've been working digitally a lot but I've always worked with traditional media ⏤ even when illustrating I would not vectorize and leave pencil markings etc. Right now I'm very interested in lo-fi selfies, found objects and debris.

What are you working on at the moment?

Currently I'm at Casavoa's artistic residency, in Rio de Janeiro. I'm also working on Dionysian Industrial Complex's visual identity and web design, an independent music label based in Brasília. From December to February I'll be hosting and curating Olho Selvagem (Wild Eye), a feminist art exhibition cycle at deCurators gallery, in Brasília.

Who or what are the top five inspirations for your work?

I like to keep my eye on the production of young female-identifying artists, so I'm constantly inspired by new edgy creatives. Right now I'm obsessed by Erika Lust, Roze Volca, Lyz Parayzo, Barbie Ferreira and Obvious Agency.

What's one resource every artist, illustrator or designer should know about?

References are very important. Regardless of the tools, I believe that creatives should constantly seek references, anytime, anywhere.

What is the most valuable lesson you've learned during your time working in the creative industries?

Do not be afraid of criticism. And do not take it personally. I have learned the hard way the value of knowing how to reinvent oneself if the public or the client reacts negatively to the ideas.

What is the hardest challenge you have faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?

Being an independent artist in a country that does not value creative professions is a challenge in itself. It's a constant struggle. The thing is, do not stay put. Work, work, work. Be aware of your surroundings and be able to identify opportunities.

What are your professional goals for the next year?

A studio of my own :)