Calligraphy – Lenina Villela

Getting abstract, talking nonsense

I was trained as a graphic designer right during The Transition. I had to make countless exercises by hand, with traditional instruments, with ancient techniques, with state-of-the-art technology available at that time, which was not yet digital. My frustration at not achieving perfection was equally state-of-the-art. I had to design posters using transferable type.Continue reading “Getting abstract, talking nonsense”

Gestural calligraphy series

This series was made between 2013 and 2015 to experiment with calligraphic textures that occupy more or less defined areas. They also proved to be a relaxing therapy by not having to think too hard about what to write with a pen. It is related to automatic writing exercises where you shouldn’t think beforeContinue reading “Gestural calligraphy series”

The Raven

This Corvid comes from a literary inspiration (Nevermore, of course). It started as a doodle, I ended up liking it so much that I kept working on it, adding the literary element (calligraphy) as a texture in the background. It could mean thought, it could mean blood, it could mean pain, it could mean aContinue reading “The Raven”

Series: London Dreams

The first time I had the privilege of traveling abroad was to the land of my dreams: London. I come from a developing country and the chances to do that are rather scarce for most people, so I consider myself very lucky. Then was when I did realize life is about experiences and not collectingContinue reading “Series: London Dreams”

Series: Three Different Birds

These feathered friends were drawn in 2013. I was intrigued by dictionary art, where people print all sorts of images on old dictionary pages. We of course have our share of old books and encyclopedias. I remember I used to read our 8-volumes encyclopedia for whatever I could find, especially chemistry and technical concepts.Continue reading “Series: Three Different Birds”

You deserve what you dream

This sentence comes from Gustavo Cerati’s song Beautiful. It’s a powerful sentence… I mean… what do you dream about? There’s also a song from Gustavo called Al fin sucede (It finally happens) that goes: you wanted it so much that it finally happens… and you were so afraid of it that it finally happens. AndContinue reading “You deserve what you dream”