Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Tiago immigrated to Florida in 1995 and has made the United States his home and inspiration. In most of his work he uses mixed media and experiments with different elements. Also known for murals and live painting, art is not only what he does but who he IS. We chatted with Tiago to learn more about his ongoing projects and the launch of his new NFT collection.
To begin, we’ll ask our favorite question to all: how did you become an artist? Basic as it sounds, everyone’s story is very different and we love learning more about each artist’s individual journey!
I’ve always liked art and, to be honest, it was the only class I didn’t dread going to in school. In Brazil, the social expectation is not becoming a great artist but a lawyer or doctor, you know, a “real” career. Once I came to the US I saw that the arts were actually something people could do for living. It was circa early 2000’s when I really got into creating art and selling my pieces. My dream then became a reality. My message has always been derived from LOVE/AMOR, and you see it in all my paintings.
Do you ever experience creative downfall? What helps you to get back in your groove? What motivates and pushes you?
Absolutely, I think we all do. The hardest thing is sometimes to keep yourself motivated. What really drives me to keep going? To get back into the groove I think about the fact that my talent is a gift and I don’t ever want to take that for granted. The motivation for me is that I hope people feel the emotion I pour into my pieces. It is more than just colors or pieces of paper on a canvas. It is about thoughts, emotions driven by inspiration. Also, I hope that I motivate others to be creative in what they do.
Walk us through your work process a little bit. Where do your art pieces begin, how do you find initial inspiration, and what affects the development of the work in progress?
For me it all begins with my daily thoughts and emotions I am sensing. LIFE is my inspiration. On a blank canvas I can see the final product. The process is where fun and struggle coexist. I love finding inspiration within the season that I am in. Not all seasons may be great, and you will see that the result on the canvas is happy when we live through the happy seasons. I always say I want people to feel what I feel and it is important that what they feel is uplifting.
Would you ever consider making digital art?
No. I like working with my hands, and the organic process of creating.
We learnt that you recently released your NFT collection Love More. Tell us more about it. Was it your first experience with NFTs?
Yes, this is my first experience with digital type of art. I actually created each piece by hand and transformed them into a digital setup to create the NFTs. The Love More collection is inspiring to me because I had the opportunity to create with a team that after helped me bring it to life. You can check out the collection on lovemore.io
As we discovered, you connect your work with «Love» concept a lot. You caption your posts «Let’s share love», «love more, be more», «love is action» and so on. Explain the meaning and significance of Love to you? How did it become so important in your work?
Love to me is not just a word but a pure action. And through my art I believe I can show love in a visual tangible form. I do believe that you can feel it as well looking at my work. Not a superficial love, of course, but a tangible active love. Love is simple, even though we like to complicate it.
What other major messages does your artwork convey?
I hope it conveys CREATIVITY. I’m a firm believer that we don’t have any time to waste. Go and do what you love however you can, at least start it somewhere, someway, somehow
Since we try to explore the subject of the Metaverse deep as we can, we’d love to know your opinion on the whole new NFT/digitalization phenomenon. Share your thoughts and predictions about NFT’s and their development in the future. Do you plan to develop in this field?
I think it is inevitable that this is happening. Our world is evolving quickly and digitalization is here to stay. I do think I will continue to explore it but also being intentional on how we can benefit from the phenomenon in a rational way, also understanding that there is greatness in the moment. I am trying to be present in our times and embrace the future.
Please give an advice to the generation of developing talents: what would help them to discover something they are passionate about? How to stay true to yourself? What would you recommend your 15-20 year younger self?
The best advice I can give is… Do it! Create… don’t waste time. Take the step and do it even if you fail and don’t worry about what others think. The important part is to start. This is how you discover the passion or what you are good at. So to my younger self… Don’t quit because you will see the greater things ahead!
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