About Me
I am a Brazilian/American artist living in San Antonio Texas. My passion is people and art and connecting the two.
I have a driving fascination with nature and strange creatures. From an early age I have wanted to be a variety of things from a boy to bird to mermaid. As a child color was of powerful interest. I even recall eating crayons because the colors were too engaging and beautiful to realize they tasted like horror in my teeth. I knew I loved making art in my teen years when I was drawing on my friends full color temporary tattoos with sharpies. I received affirmation of talent and pursued painting. Starting with watercolors my fascination for the arts was intrinsic. Painting was an escape from the loneliness I felt as a young adult. At 18 I tried to resolve my loneliness by resolving to become a tattoo artist and investing in all the supplies. Since I was living at home, my parents were not thrilled with this idea. Though I fought for what I thought I desired and tattooed one unlucky guy, my dream eventually collapsed with no support and I stopped making art for a season.
At 21 I was surprised with an unplanned pregnancy after a breakup with an emotionally abusive man. During my pregnancy the desire for creating returned, and I made the bird watercolor paintings that you can see in my gallery. I carried my child 35 weeks (8 months) to have him pass away unexpectedly. This was the most difficult and traumatic experience I had so far endured, the kind I wouldn't wish for my worst enemies. I realized how far removed from reality I had been before and that something was wrong with me. Turns out, I was right. Peeling the Onion is a recovery group from the church BRCC here in San Antonio. I began to pursue my own heart and dignity to realize that I had stuffed all of my pain my entire life.
In 2015, opportunity arose for me to begin face painting. I started a very small business and in the fall of 2017 I felt God call me to do face painting full-time. So I quit my other jobs to embark on this cathartic journey to heal from the loss of my child. Face painting forces me to be with young children. I have really had to look at my grief in the eye. In the meantime, I have learned to be a small business owner, be shrewd and determined.
As a UTSA Arts major, I am seeking to express my pain and healing through my work. The individuals that make this world so interesting have been conditioned to wear masks and be “fine” when so many are dying within. I have been that person for too long myself. Though even my artwork has in a way been a mask, I would like for this to no longer be the case. Aside from my professional work, I have some pain work. It is not for everyone but whatever is in the dark festers, until it is brought into the light where the sun can dry out the disease.
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