We recently connected with Monique Pontes and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Monique, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

Learning how to paint can be a fulfilling journey! It involves understanding color theory, mastering various techniques like blending and shading, and exploring different mediums such as oil, acrylic, or watercolor. I always liked drawing and painting, but it was when I went to the University of Fine Arts in Rio de Janeiro that I really discovered the many ways arts can be used.
Patience, practice, and experimentation are key to finding your unique style and expressing your creativity on canvas or any other media you choose. Taking classes, studying different artists’ works, and dedicating time to practice can all contribute to honing your skills.
About tem years ago I really got into another form of expressing art: the world of fashion! And that was when I put together these two worlds and started customizing bags.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have a degree in Fine Arts and have been working as an artist since 2006.

I work mainly with bags from luxury brands, such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Prada. But any brand can be customized!

Many bags are left in the back of our closets as they get older and look a bit too used. But painting those bags, renovating their original colors, or making a beautiful drawing that is meaningfull to the client, will give it a new life! It will become something unique! I also love the fact that you wont need to throw away something that can still be used. Sometimes just “buying a new one” isnt the best solution.

When the client gets in touch with me, they will tell me what kind of paiting they are looking for. If they just want to renew the original color, or if they want to really customize it with drawings that tell a story about their families, pets, favorite places..

I work with high quality acrylic paints, the same brand used by artists who work exclusively for Louis Vuitton. So the colors will last for years if taken care properly.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Society can support new artists in several ways. Encouraging art education in schools, providing affordable studio spaces, organizing local art events, offering grants or funding opportunities, and promoting art appreciation through exhibitions or online platforms can all help emerging artists gain visibility and support for their work. Additionally, supporting local artists by purchasing their creations or commissioning artwork can have a direct impact on their livelihood.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist often lies in the ability to express oneself creatively, share unique perspectives, evoke emotions in others, and create something that resonates with people. The freedom to bring imagination to life and the joy of seeing others connect with your art can be incredibly fulfilling for artists.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @ateliermoniquepontes
• Other: moniquepontes@gmail.com