A Few Words with Léo Darumaman
Santos, Brazil
Your art takes me back to my childhood and makes me remember a much simpler life. When I look at your work I think of words such as enchanting, mythical and quite magical. How would you describe your work?
In the first place, many thanks for believing in my artwork and inviting me to your zine...It is great to know that my message is very well received, because my work is totally inspired by dreams and playful elements, which refer to childhood.
What do you do when you aren’t working on art?
I study and work as I can not live on just doing my art yet.
For some reason I’m reminded of “Cique Du Soleil” when I look at your work. Have you ever been to one of the shows?
I have not had the pleasure, but I follow it and admire it very much! The similarity is precisely in order to delight adults and children, including the playfulness in the art.
Do you put humor into your work?
My art is intuitive, not intended to be comedic.
What type of characters are your favorite to draw?
Briefly, my references are the most varied possible, from people I see, the music I hear, the things I watch, the dreams I have and from imaginary friends I had throughout childhood.
Can you remember the first drawing you ever did?
I remember yes, it was a baby saying: "Guh guuh!! dah dah!!" when I was 4 years old and I gave it to my mother.
Do you have a favorite film? Favorite book?
Thousands, and directors as well! If I can cite two of each, they would be ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF SPOTLESS MIND and BUTTERFLY EFFECT. Now, I have many books that I like too, but two have influenced me today and that is, Metamorphosis from Kafka and Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.
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A lot of your characters seem to be flying or about to lift off of the ground, do you often wish you could fly or just float away to another world?
Flying was my childhood dream. I once jumped from the table and fell. It did not really work ! (Laughs) So they do the flying for me.
Is nature a big thing for you? Your drawings seem to have a lot of grass around.
Nature is just one of the many elements that I use in my world. I have others such as: diamonds, houses, paper boats , crowns , eyes, smoke, teeth, candy , books , clouds, rain , finally things inhabiting my world with different meanings.
Have you seen the movie “Big Fish” by Tim Burton?
Yes! Surely indeed, he gave me ideas for some of my works.
How would you describe your thought process before diving into a project?
It is pure intuition, something like an abduction...(Laughs) I'm completely offline when I make art.
How many creative ideas would you say flow through your brain in one day?
Many ideas, depends on how was my day was. It is very unpredictable...sometimes I get days where I'm uninspired.
Have any unconventional thoughts about the world and why we are here?
Do I believe in the supernatural? Yes! When I say supernatural I'm not talking about elves, goblins or even abduction- citing an example earlier. I believe in miracles, divine things, things of heaven. I believe that each of us have a mission given here in this place.
Any advice to fellow artists on how to be more productive?
The creative process is individual, but know how to filter everything in your surroundings.
"I believe in miracles, divine things, things of heaven. I believe that each of us has a mission given here in this place".
"Flying was my childhood dream. I once jumped from the table and fell. It did not really work! So they do the flying for me".
Do you use colored pencils for most of your pieces?
Yes, ever since childhood I have used colored pencils...It has been a habit that has followed me throughout the years.
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Contact Léo:
Instagram: @LDARUMAMAN
Facebook: Léo Darumaman