Q: A native of Brazil, what are some of your favorite things about living and working in Belo Horizonte? 

A: Living as an artist and illustrator in Brazil is somewhat challenging. When I first started, everything was a struggle, from finding the right resources (quality materials to work with), books, education, etc. It has forced me to be creative and work with the scarce resources I had at hand.

But other than that, Brazil can be very inspiring! We have the great contrast of chaotic big cities and the beautiful landscape and nature around. So my work is still inspired by botanical elements, animals, birds, but also carries that distressed and somewhat chaotic aesthetics of our cities.

Q: Do you keep a sketchbook? What is the balance between art you create on paper [or other analog medium] versus in the computer?

A: I have lots of sketchbooks (mostly filled with drawings and sketches) and also a collage book that I started around 2000, but abandoned it somehow. I used to post collage book pages and people were writing me about purchasing them, so I started working on my collages on separate sheets of paper.

But I believe working analog is a great learning process. You have to make important decisions all the time. The computer makes everything easy to change and undo, but while working on paper sometimes it’s not that flexible. And apart from that, I always try to mimic the analog feel into my digital work. So my analog work, really influences my digital work and vice-versa.  

Q: What is the most important item in your studio?

A: For digital work, it’s definitely my scanner. I use it frequently while working, scanning handmade stains, scribbles, textures and random images. As for my analog work, believe it or not I have to say it’s a hairdryer. I work a lot with acrylics and sometimes watercolor and I can say that I’m a little bit anxious about waiting for things to dry at it’s own pace.

Q: How do you know when the art is finished—or when to stop working on it?

A: Do we ever know? I think I know when it’s time to abandon a work. There’s always room for improvement, but sometimes it’s time to call it done for the sake of moving forward. 

Q: What was your favorite book as a child?

A: I don’t recall a favourite particular book, but I was obsessed with Conan (The Barbarian) comics.  

Q: What is the best book you’ve recently read?

A: I recently re-read The Collected works of Ramana Maharshi. 

Q: If you had to choose one medium to work in for an entire year, eliminating all others, what medium would you choose?

A: Right now I’m very focused on improving my drawing skills, so if I had to choose one medium it would be drawing. I love collage but sometimes it’s nice to get out of our comfort zone and learn/improve new techniques. 

Q: What elements of daily life exert the most influence on your work practice?

A: Thoughts, emotions, and things I’m currently reading. My work is very focused on inner perceptions and our unending search for love, happiness and fulfillment. I think my work is just a reflection of my search in this life.

Q: What was the strangest/most interesting assignment you've taken that has an important impact on your practice, and what changed through the process?

A: I think it was some illustrations commissioned for motion work back in 2006 for a HBO TV series. It was so different for me to change my process from static imagery to motion. Everything has it’s own little life and connects to everything else in a different manner.It had a big impact on my work and taught me to bring liveliness to a still image.  

Q: What would be your last supper?

A: An Indian food banquet, with ith brownies for desert! 

Eduardo Recife is an artist and illustrator from Brazil. His work has a distinct style that won recognition around the world. The artist has exhibited his artworks worldwide and won several awards. You can check some of his works on the ever evolving website: www.eduardorecife.com

Social Media: 

-Instagram: https://instagram.com/eduardorecife_/

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MisprintedType/

-Website: www.eduardorecife.com