Anyone who has known me for a long time knows that I used to be an artist. Or at least dabble in a few things, having participated in exhibitions and worked as a colourist and animator in a previous life. In recent years, I got myself a “real job” and started focusing my attention and time on the blog and didn’t draw as much. The blog and the photos I had been taking for it became my main creative outlet. At the same time, I’ve always been fascinated by street art and the thrill of finding interesting and fun details, all the creative stencils, stickers or graffiti. This is something I’ve enjoyed for many years, having done many a street art hunting when I was still living in Lisbon.
However, for some reason, and although I really loved street art, I was always on the outside, looking in. Apart from one night back in 2009, when I went out with friends, armed with black gaffer tape and a pair of scissors and vandalised a few traffic signs in downtown Lisbon (see one of them here), I never really felt like I could participate. No particular reason, just never felt like I could get involved, maybe due to shyness, etc.
This year, that changed, along with a lot of other things in my life. I realised that no one is stopping me from doing anything except myself, so I set off to change that. I know that so far I’ve only done a bunch of silly stickers but I’ve been enjoying it a lot, both sticker bombing and doing more street art hunting. I have to admit that occasionally I think to myself that I’m a silly old woman, that I probably appear ridiculous for doing this at my age. But then I tell myself to snap out of it and just do the things I enjoy and not really care what others think. If someone doesn’t like it they can look the other way – after all, “I’m not a dollar bill to be liked by everyone”. I have to say as well that many people on Instagram have been extremely supportive and I have made some good street art friends and started doing sticker and art swaps with other artists. A great sense of community!
So far I have made a few different stickers, always with variations on the same character, and I plan to expand the artwork into small prints to paste-up. Hopefully just in time for my next Berlin trip, that street art paradise! Recently I had a new set of stickers made, as well as a trial run of badges. These are made of vinyl and a lot more resistant than my previous paper ones. I had a load of fun creating the artwork on Illustrator – I had to sort of relearn it as I hadn’t used it for years but it was well worth it, don’t you think? The badges also look great and have a lovely matte finish. I’m definitely having some more made and will come up with more designs.
I can’t wait to do so much more – I only wish I had more time…
Disclaimer: This latest sticker set and badges have kindly been provided by Camaloon, words and opinions are my own. Check out their Instagram and Twitter accounts for great printing inspiration. Also, thanks to my good friend Roger for modelling my badge on his extra stylish jacket!
