André Mendes (@andremendesart)'s career began early with an interest in design, and later in college where he soon became involved in creating murals.
After completing his studies in 2002, the artist spent three years in Barcelona, involved with a design office and working with clients in the restaurant sector. He later returned to Brazil and participated in notable projects, such as a large mural for a public square commissioned by Sanepar CASACOR.
Today, he explores various artistic expressions, covering drawing, painting, sculptures, installations and also develops creative workshops for a diverse audience. During our visit to his studio in Curitiba (Brazil), we had the chance to learn more about his sources of inspiration while sharing a cup of coffee with good ideas.
What motivates your creative process?
I usually go to the studio every day, this is crucial for me. I always have several projects going on, so it’s a matter of staying consistent. Sometimes I have a show with a set deadline, and that really helps me stay focused and cohesive in my work. The demand for my creations is also a great motivator, as it helps to establish this discipline.
But not everything follows a perfect plan. Sometimes things change along the way. I start with an idea, but as I observe, test new approaches and even introduce new materials, the work begins to evolve in a different way. I love experimenting with new languages, materials and techniques to see how the work responds.
The creative process involves constant work, experimentation, and an open mind to evaluate what's working and what's not. Sometimes this means I overwork, especially when I'm experimenting with new approaches, but this is also an important part of the process so that the work continues to evolve.
How can a creative professional find a unique space in the market?
The personality and authenticity of an artist is very important, whether based on a concept, narrative or poetry that makes sense for existence.
One of the challenges the artist faces is maintaining coherence in his research and production. Furthermore, it is essential to understand meaning in a context that transcends mere personal aesthetics. It is through this understanding that the artist discovers his uniqueness.
There is a balance between intuition and reason, at this moment the work is open to the new but linked to a predetermined desire. This often leads to discoveries and inspiration for future work almost unconsciously. It is in this space where there is no certainty that the work lives.
How do you turn everyday experiences into sources of inspiration?
Inspiration in the creative process comes from observing life. It is the foundation that drives creativity.
Inspiration is like the air necessary for objective research, like studying the great masters of painting, delving into their color palettes and universe of possibilities. Daily life experience, combined with study, plays a crucial role. By specializing, it is possible to deepen your repertoire of references and broaden your horizons.
For me, drawing is the root of everything, and the masters of painting and drawing, such as Picasso, Miró and Matisse, are fundamental. Reinterpreting your work authentically is a process of giving back to the world from your own perspective, filtering how these influences have crossed your personal experience.
How does the design process drive your commissioned projects and artwork?
The overlap between design and art is an important part of my creative process, especially when it comes to a commissioned project.
When I am invited to do a commissioned project, like a mural for example, I start by sitting down with the client to understand their needs and vision. From there, I apply design techniques to create a proposal, developing concepts, layouts, color palettes and other elements that help the client understand and visualize what the finished project will look like.
It is very important to separate commissioned work, which is directed to a specific place or client, from authorial research. On some occasions, when I receive carte blanche from a client, for example, it is possible to reconcile the two things, which is a great advantage, but it is crucial to understand that there is a context and be receptive to feedback to continually improve the project, always seeking improve based on what you hear in feedback.
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Photographs by Tarcila Zanatta © All rights reserved.
To find out more, visit www.andremendes.work
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