A Few Words with Pedro Souza
São Paulo, Brazil
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So…tell us Colorado folks what it is like to live in Brazil, have you ever visited the United States before?
Well, it’s very nice to live in my city, São Paulo because it’s a city with a lot of art in it. If you go downtown there will be art, if you go to the suburbs there will be art, and even at the beach there is art. I haven’t visited any place abroad yet, but maybe next year I'll make a trip to the United States .
A lot of your drawings are very detailed, how long does it usually take you to finish one of your drawings?
Well, it depends on what kind of style that i'm doing. If it is dot-work, it takes a lot of time…like 2 days, it’s crazy! But the others take around 3 hours or less.
Where do you think creativity comes from?
That’s a really good question, I think it depends on what kind of person you are, but everyone has creativity. Some have far more than others, but this is not a bad thing. Sometimes you can have a very big idea and those who don’t have the same thoughts as you, will think about the details of the main idea.
What do you get really excited about?
When all things are getting better and when you are doing something that you really like ,and other people like that thing too, I think it’s a pretty cool thing.
The man you drew with all the instruments surrounding him is really sweet…what compelled you to do this?
I was thinking about music and those guys who can play a lot of instruments at the same time and I really like the result. I try to draw every single instrument in the drawing that is being played. I like some realism in things I draw, but just in the functional things. I play a lot of instruments but not at the same time.
You have a photo of a John Mayer album on your Instagram…Do you listen to him often?
Yes! He is my top musician, he is the reason why I play guitar .
Are you a big Black Keys fan? Do you like The Arctic Monkeys or The White Stripes at all?
Yes! I really like these kind of bands, quoting Jack White: “that are in the dark side of the blues,” these guys are very very good.
Have a favorite female musician or female band?
Norah Jones, Janis Joplin, The Runaways, First Aid Kit. I could stay here all day!
What was the first song to give you the chills?
Well the first song …I think would be "Blackbird" by The Beatles and another one would be "Patience" by Guns N' Roses.
What were you like as a kid?
I was always with a pencil and a piece of paper in my hands drawing super heroes or anime.
What do you think about when you’re walking and lost in thought?
I think it’s a very good way to get things done, you know? For example if you're a very busy person- take a walk and think about the main priorities in your life, and if you're an artist it’s a good way to think about what your next piece will be about.
You also do a lot of drawings of buildings, have any favorites in your city?
Those drawings were from a series that is called “Something in Somewhere.” I took pictures of some places that I would like to visit and then I drew them . Well, I don’t have a specific building that I like. I like all that have some old concept or some that have art in it. São Paulo is a place that we have both very close to one another .
Have any seriously strong opinions about one particular thing?
I think a lot about Philosophy, Science, and Religion...but those subjects are very particular things, you know, so it's hard to find someone that is cool to talk about those subjects with and can understand your side.
How do you switch off your creativity?
When I'm trying to think of some drawing, but I have a lot on my mind I make a lot of doodles and then I feel clean- like an empty mind that is ready for new ideas to come.