This month’s art is by Latin illustrator, Flávia Mayer. Flávia illustrates feelings and thoughts through bold imagery — from serene women to wild tigers, her artwork approaches complex themes such as mental health, our connection to nature, to the universe, and our deepest selves. She says, "Creativity and metamorphosis are deeply connected. In the same way a butterfly must go through caterpillar and cocoon stages in order to become this exquisite, unique creature, our ideas, too, need to go through several shapes before they reach their final destination."

For a little more about Flávia, here's a short Q&A.

Where is home for you?

This year I’ve decided to embrace the so-called ‘digital nomad’ life for a bit. I’m currently living in Spain, with plans to go to France, UK and then Brazil to visit my family!

What is your definition of a successful life?

For me, success is not about having the perfect job or lots of money. These things are important, sure, but more important is to have time to do what truly makes you happy. So a successful life would be a life where I can have a balance between spending time with friends and family, working with what I love and taking care of myself. Not that easy, I know!

Describe your perfect day.

I love slow mornings so my perfect day would start with a lie-in, breakfast in bed with lots of coffee and maybe an avocado toast. It would definitely be a sunny day so I would go for a stroll around the beach or by a river, maybe visit a local market, have a picnic with friends and family. To end the day, definitely a good film under the blankets!

How did you get into design?

I have loved drawing since I was little. I used to sell my drawings in school! Then one day a friend of mine suggested that I should study Graphic Design to combine my drawing skills with something more practical (because I’m quite a practical person and Art seemed a bit too abstract for me). And that was it! I think if she hadn’t suggested it I would have ended up studying astrophysics or something like that.

Where do you find inspiration?

Ooh, everywhere I guess! Nature is a big inspiration for me, as well as going to museums or simply walking on the street. I also love spending time on Pinterest and Dribbble when I want to look for more specific inspiration, there is so much good stuff out there!

What's your dream design project?

I have so many projects I’d like to do! Right now I’m talking to a friend who’s a composer about doing short animations with her music. I’m new to animation so it’s a big challenge but I hope it works out!

Which designers or thinkers influence/inspire you?

There are so many! Lauren Hom has always been a great inspiration for me to follow my own voice. Studio Muti illustrations are something out of this world and I always looked up to them. Elizabeth Gilbert and Julia Cameron are both great thinkers and can help a lot when you get a creative block, or even just to keep your mental health in check.

What was the inspiration behind this design?

Butterflies are such beautiful creatures. Each one with their own uniqueness, they inspire us to be creative in our most authentic way, to grow in each cycle we go through in our lives, to cocoon our ideas for a while only to let them fly into the world one day.

At the moment, what is your favorite…

Color: Light blue

Food: Avocado Toast

Song: Atravesao by Elsa y El Mar

Quote:

"Maybe with good luck we’ll find what eluded us in the places we once called home”

The French Dispatch (2021)