From Engineer to Artist: My journey to creative freedom
For 25 years, I thrived in a career as a mechanical engineer, but something was always missing. Leaving engineering to art gave me the freedom and purpose I longed for—to create stories led by my imagination.
GROWING UP SURROUNDED BY ART
I grew up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a city where contrasts collided beautifully. The Atlantic Forest and beaches sat alongside a sprawling metropolis of over ten million people. At the time, it all felt ordinary. Only later did I realize how unique it truly was—a place where nature shaped urban life, where people were unapologetically themselves, and where landscapes were crafted like art by architects such as Burle Marx and Oscar Niemeyer.
In my twenties, I discovered "rodas de samba e choro", informal music circles that embodied Rio’s spirit of passion and authenticity. Those moments—the rhythm of samba, the salty sea breeze, the golden sunlight—are still alive in me today. They inspire the vibrant colors and dynamic textures in my paintings, grounding my work in the vitality of my roots.
FINDING MY PAINTING VOICE
At 17, I dreamed of being an architect but dismissed it, thinking I couldn’t draw. Instead, I chose mechanical engineering, believing it was the safer option. Over the years, I dabbled in creativity—acting, guitar, ceramics—but in 2013, I gave painting a second chance. Everything changed.
I became absorbed by the act of creating and using color to express myself, and my instructor showed me that drawing wasn’t about talent—it was about practice. Painting became my way of expressing emotions I couldn’t put into words. Around this time, I met my husband, and a few years later, we moved to the United States.
That’s when my passion deepened. I immersed myself in abstract art, taking every online class I could find. By the end of 2023, I enrolled in the Mastery Program from The Milan Art Institute—a year-long journey I wasn’t sure I could complete. But within four months, I realized I could draw and paint anything I imagined. For the first time, I felt limitless. And I knew my engineering career no longer fit who I was.
WALKING AWAY FROM STABILITY
Every day at my desk, I felt out of place. My work no longer brought me joy, and I wasn’t engaged with the goals of my department. By September 2024, I made the decision to leave my 25-year engineering career to focus entirely on building my portfolio and launching my art career.
It wasn’t an easy decision. There were fears of failure, financial questions, and societal expectations. But there was also an undeniable voice inside me, insisting I pursue the path that felt true to who I was.
ART AS A REFLECTION OF LIFE
My paintings mirror life’s complexity. Layers build on each other, showing how our past shapes our present. Bold colors symbolize impulse and energy, while intricate marks reflect the chaos of doubt and decision-making. My work is about the emotional dance between fear and courage, uncertainty and freedom.
Through my art, I want to inspire others to see their own journeys, to embrace the imperfections of growth, and to take bold steps forward—even when they don’t have all the answers.
JOIN ME ON THIS JOURNEY
Today, I paint full-time, refining my voice and connecting with those who see their stories in my work. My goal isn’t just to create beautiful art—it’s to honor the bravery it takes to step into the unknown and inspire others to do the same.
