Before we get into your work, can you just tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Giovana. I’m a 30 year old artist and a mother, and in many ways those two journeys began at the same time 11 years ago. Creativity is woven into every part of my life. I find beauty and new ways to create in everyday moments, in my home, the way I cook, the way I dress and in how I move through the world. For me, art isn’t limited to a canvas, it’s a way of living.
If I had to describe myself in a few words, they would be resilient, generous, and persistent.
Resilience is a huge part of who I am. I’m a firm believer in seeing through the pain and trusting that there’s a stronger version of yourself waiting on the other side. Some of the most meaningful chapters of my life have come from difficult seasons, and I’ve learned to view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than reasons to give up.
I’m also incredibly generous. I have an abundance mindset and truly believe that the more we give, the more we receive in return. I’ve found that what we put into the world has a way of finding its way back to us.
And finally, I’m persistent. I’m deeply passionate, I know what I want, and I’m not afraid to go after it. I truly believe if I’m willing to put in the work, there’s very little that’s out of reach. To my core, that’s who I am.
We are curious about your past and your style. When did you get started with art, what are your preferred topics and how would you describe your style?
A little bit about my past: When I was 10 years old, my family and I immigrated from Brazil to the United States. Looking back, I genuinely think that experience shaped who I am in ways I didn’t fully understand at the time. Before I could confidently understand the language, I learned to read people. I paid attention to facial expressions, body language, tone, and energy to make sense of the world around me. As an artist, I think it taught me to notice the small things and pay attention to what people are feeling, not just what they’re saying.
Then, when I was 18, I became a mom. As a young mom with no formal education, I wanted to build something that was truly my own. Something I could achieve without following the conventional path society had laid out for me. Art gave me purpose, direction, and the opportunity to create a different future for myself. Rather than accepting the story that seemed to be written for me, I chose to write my own, with painting as the vehicle. I knew as long as I was creating and keeping my dream of being a full time artist alive, the path would open for me and that’s exactly what happened.
I would say my favorite topics to paint are food, fashion, and humans simply being with those two things woven in it. I love finding romanticized, mundane moments and expressing them through color and texture.
If I had to describe my style, I would say, “I make art, not sense.” Hahah. Just kidding… but that’s actually where the name came from. I’ve never wanted to put myself in a single lane or give myself one line to follow for the sake of having a style. I’ve never picked one topic and decided that’s all I’m allowed to create. So I would say it’s colorful, unrestricted, wildly versatile and always evolving. My work also lives in a bit of a yin and yang. It balances realism with imperfection. I’m often inspired by a memory, moment a photograph or an idea, but I’m not interested in recreating it exactly. I want it to feel like a more playful, vibrant version of reality— something shaped by both skill and imagination. I love keeping elements loose and imperfect because that’s where the personality and emotion live.
Can you briefly explain what your designs are about and what message you want to convey with your designs for maezen.
Honestly, I think my designs are just a reflection of me. They’re inspired by moments, people, places, and things I find interesting or beautiful. The simplest message I’m trying to convey is just a gentle reminder to slow down and feel something. Whether that’s joy, nostalgia, curiosity, comfort, or simply a connection to the piece, I hope my work creates a moment where people can pause and see a little bit of themselves in it.
Last question, is there one thing which is important to you that you would like to share with our community?
I think the biggest thing I’d want to share is that you don’t have to have everything figured out to start. So much of my life and career came from simply trying, being willing to fail, and continuing anyway. I’m a big believer that confidence comes after action, not before it. Most of the things I’m proudest of, started with me being completely unqualified and doing them scared.
Check out more from Silva: Instagram
