Adriana

I was born in 1972 in Brazil - in one of the most populous cities in the world, which many people consider a “stone jungle”: São Paulo. It is also “the reverse of the reverse of the reverse of the reverse”, as Caetano Veloso sang. Maybe that's why - or not - colours, shapes and images have always fascinated me.

I never had any doubts about my path: the arts. I moved, early on, between visual arts, editorial production and graphic design with a lot of curiosity and a spirit of experimentation. 

Between 1992 and 1995, love took me to Holland - Thor, my boyfriend at the time, today my husband, is Dutch. It was a phase that I define as a romantic adventure in this country that is overflown with art, culture and creativity. In 1993, I started a graphic design course at the Willem de Kooning Academy, Rotterdam, a rich experience that prepared me to enter the Brazilian publishing market in 1995. 

II worked as art director for magazines until 2006 and, with the desire to explore new skills related to the arts, to further develop the visual and creative area, I studied window shopping. I created shop windows for stores and stands at exhibit fairs and events and, in that period, I had two beautiful daughters. As they grew up, I also had fun with my colorful patchwork productions - yes, I set up a small studio at home and started sewing. Until life took a turn and brought me back to Holland after 25 years.

Since 2017, I have lived with my husband and daughters in Haarlem, a city that inspires me. Located on the banks of the Spaarne River, surrounded by dunes, flower fields and close to the North Sea, Haarlem is pure charm. But, a change of country requires adaptations. It takes time and willingness. And it was no different for me. When things settled down and I felt at home again, I decided it was time to get back to work on my art. Naturally, I recovered my creative energy through dry pastel, a technique that is pure freedom and fun!

My work