What led you both to become illustrators? Marina: I think I always wanted to be an illustrator, but I didn't believe in my potential, let alone that it could be a viable profession. I ended up studying graphic design and incorporating illustrations into projects, until I experienced a creative crisis and started producing original illustrations. These illustrations were well-received and showed me that it would be possible to work on my style and make a living from it. I began to focus on my portfolio, and commercial opportunities started coming in, leading me to leave behind design and focus solely on illustration and visual arts. Maurício: I worked as a graphic designer for over 10 years. Whenever possible, I incorporated illustrations into the projects I worked on during that time. Gradually, I grew bored and began to shift my portfolio towards illustration. I think I only realised I was a full-time illustrator when I turned down a design project to work on an illustration.Did you both study illustration in college ? Marina: I studied Graphic Design at Faculdade da Serra Gaúcha and specialized in Visual Arts: Contemporary Thought and Production at the University of Caxias do Sul, Brazil. Maurício: I studied at UNIFTEC here in Caxias do Sul. I had some courses in observational drawing and illustration, more oriented towards product design during college.Where did you grow up? Both of us were born and raised in the city where we still live today, Caxias do Sul, in southern Brazil.Maurício, do you have a childhood memory relating to drawing that you hold dear? When I was a child, I loved to draw, paint, or play with modelling clay. Whenever someone asks me this question, I share this story: When I started reading the stories by the comic artist Maurício de Souza, I noticed the author's signature with the same name as mine in the corner of the comic book. I asked my father what my name was doing there, and he said, 'Maurício is the name of an illustrator.' I remember thinking things like 'wow! being an illustrator must be the coolest job in the world, spending the whole day drawing.' So, here I am.Describe your studios for us Marina: My studio is a junction of all the things I like to do. In addition to my desk with computer, monitor, and drawing tablet, I have a table for screen printing experiments and an easel for paintings. The decoration is filled with books and reference zines, along with my merchandise stock. Maurício: I like to work almost in the dark. My work is already very vibrant, so only low and indirect light for me. On my desk, I always have a computer, monitor, drawing tablet, and two of those audio monitors. Additionally, there's always a water bottle and a cup of coffee. I have some action figures like the Terminator T-800, an Alien Xenomorph, Mike from the TMNT, Link from Zelda, and some Star Wars characters. Some posters on the walls, a bookshelf with books and comics, a tube TV for retro gaming. On the floor, a rug and probably some pillows, toys, and a dog bed for Manteiga.Marina, who or what is your biggest inspiration? My business partner and friend Maurício!If you could collaborate with other artists or creatives of any genre, living or dead, who would it be?Marina: I'm crazy about music and have many idols I would love to collaborate with. Today, I would say it would be amazing to work for my favorite band, The Kills. Maurício: It would be cool to work for one of my favorite bands, creating an album cover, merchandise, or concert poster. Or collaborate in some way with someone like Genndy Tartakovsky on an animated series. To see one of my illustrations in animation, like Spider-Verse or the last TMNT. These two really blew my mind. To do title card lettering for masters of horror like John Carpenter or David Cronenberg. Something like that.Marina, if you were funded for a dream artist residency, where would you go, and what would you create?I would go to Buenos Aires, Argentina. I'm a big fan of Latin American creative expression, and I honestly believe we have some of the most creative minds in the world in South America. I would love to work on something that combines illustration and analogue graphic processes.Maurício, what's your most prized possession and why?My vinyl records, turntable, and receiver from the 80s (which are older than me), my Nintendo 64 with my Zelda: Ocarina of Time cartridge, and I have a Michelangelo action figure from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles that I received as a gift on my 5th birthday. This action figure is an inspiration for me. One day, I want to create a character as cool as him. Is there anything cooler than a ninja, pizza-loving, teenage turtle with the name of a Renaissance artist? I don't think so, right?What causes are you passionate about?Marina: Feminism and social politics. Maurício: Gender equality and racial equality, social and environmental causes. Brazil is a country that needs to improve a lot in these matters.Maurício, how do you separate your work life from your home life?Nowadays, I am very strict with my schedules. I avoid working at night, preferring to wake up earlier during busy times. My wife arrives home at 6:30 pm, and I try to finish work so that we can spend time together. Throughout the day, I take short breaks during work. During this time, I can put clothes in the washing machine, clean the house, and even take Manteiga for a walk. I use the Pomodoro method, but not so strictly; when I need extra focus time, I continue working. Marina and I can work well together because we understand that sometimes we operate differently.What is the first record you bought? Marina: KISS - Dressed to Kill, Maurício: Use your Illusion II - Guns n’ Roses.Who are your art heroes? Marina:Frida Kahlo and Keith Haring. Maurício: Roy Lichtenstein and H.R. Giger.Who are your design heroes? Marina: Jessica Walsh, Milton Glaser, Vivienne Westwood. Maurício: Paula Scher, Jessica Walsh, Aloísio Magalhães, Stefan Sagmeister, Athos Bulcão, Alexandre Wollner, Milton Glaser, Herb Lubalin, Ray and Charles Eames. I can't choose just one of these designers!Who is your music hero?Marina: Debbie Harry. Maurício: Paul McCartney.If you were not illustrators, what would you be?Marina: Probably a makeup artist, journalist or musician. Maurício: Photographer, Chef or lead singer in a hard rock band, why not?Marina, what’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? Know how to choose your battles.Maurício, if you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?Japan would be nice! Something very different from Brazil, it would be cool. Marina, have you any hidden talents? My secret talents are makeup, vocal technique, and I know how to cook well.Maurício, how would someone who knows you well describe you? Creative with a peculiar sense of humor, and knowledge of quirky things.What was the last concert you went to?Marina: Primavera Sound São Paulo. Watched two of my favorite bands, The Cure and Slowdive. Maurício: Paul McCartney Got Back tour at São Paulo.Maurício, what is your favourite book?I am finishing 'The Creative Act' by Rick Rubin, and at the moment, it's my favorite. Many things that were right in front of me the whole time, and I only realized them by reading.Maurício, what is your favourite quote?I really like the one from the movie 'They Live.' “I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum.” I say this out loud every time I'm about to start a job, just kidding!Is there any random thing you consider yourself an expert on?Marina: Discovering new music. Maurício: Problem Solving: From work matters to home maintenance, electronic equipment and so on. I love solving things.Do you both have any tips/advice for other illustrators?Marina: Be original, focus on self-awareness, understand why you draw and express yourself. Maurício: Find your own style; maybe take some time, be patient! The best way to improve your skills is copying things you like. Steal like an artist; everything is a remix, you know. You take a bit from that guy, something from another one, and in the end, you will create something new, something yours. Use limitation as a guide. Work with one limited color palette or choose to use only vector or one kind of brush stroke on digital painting. I consider myself a maximalist artist, but in this case, less is more. When you have few options or tools to use, you will use them wisely. Find references on terrible things too. Alan Moore once said: 'As a prospective writer, I would urge you to not only read good books. Read terrible books as well because they can be more inspiring than the good books.' I believe this works in any artistic field. Last but not least, break all the rules. These things worked for me until now, but one day if I needed, I would break all these rules and build others.Is there a work lesson you’ve had to learn the hard way?Marina: Yes, being professional means having an equal and respectful relationship with clients, and it's perfectly okay to set and maintain boundaries without crossing them. Maurício: Not comparing yourself to others, some people start the race a few steps ahead of us, don't forget that. Comparison will drive you crazy.Marina, what do you listen to when you work?I'm very eclectic and listen to a bit of everything, but lately, I've been listening to a lot of alternative rock, especially bands with female members, as I recently formed a band with some friends. Photo of Epic! by Ana Salvi.
