Meet Bruna Lages Veloso

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bruna Lages Veloso a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Bruna, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
When I was a child, I had some learning difficulties, I didn’t like standing still and what helped me stay focused was drawing. However, this didn’t sit well with my traditional teachers. Over time, I realized that my studies were more productive when I wrote and, at the same time, drew on mind maps. That’s how I got to university education. I’m currently studying Biological Sciences at the Universidade Estadual do Maranhão (UEMA). I chose this degree because I’ve always noticed that nature and the arts are closely linked.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I had more free time, and this reminded me of my childhood. So I turned to drawing again as a way of escaping the sad reality that was plaguing the world. However, this time I learned how to use digital illustration techniques. That’s how the Saturno Project came about. It can be accessed via Instagram @_saturno_b.

In 2021, I illustrated the cover of the book “Através dos Espelhos de Guimarães Rosa e Jostein Gaarder: reflexos e figurações”, by Gabriela Lages and Jeanne Ferreira. I have also published illustrations in Brazilian anthologies and magazines, as well as other artistic and scientific work.

I’m currently the official illustrator of writer Gabriela Lages Veloso’s column on Imirante.com, a website affiliated to the Globo network. Those interested in digital art can request a quote directly from me at [email protected].

Through self-knowledge, I was able to realize what my aptitudes and abilities were. Today, I am able to combine my area of academic study (biology) with illustrations. For me, art is not only a form of expression, but also a job. I want to show the beauty of life, nature and simple things to people, that’s my purpose in the world.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m a digital illustrator, a Biological Sciences student at the Universidade Estadual do Maranhão (UEMA) and a researcher at the Laboratório de Biodiversidade Molecular (LABIMOL/UEMA). I’m currently the official illustrator of writer Gabriela Lages Veloso’s column on Imirante.com, a website affiliated to the Globo network. My work straddles the artistic and scientific fields. In 2021, I illustrated the cover of the book “Através dos Espelhos de Guimarães Rosa e Jostein Gaarder: reflexos e figurações”, by Gabriela Lages Veloso and Jeanne Ferreira. In 2022, I published the illustration “Voz ao Silêncio” (Voice to Silence) in the anthology “Ruas Descalças” (Barefoot Streets), by Venas Abiertas; and I designed the cover of the booklet “Plantas Medicinais utilizadas durante a pandemia da COVID-19, no município de Arari/MA: uma abordagem da sabedoria popular”, by Professor Vera Lúcia Neves (UEMA). You can find out more about my artistic work on Instagram @_saturno_b.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
For me, the three main qualities we need to develop are creativity, empathy and resilience. My advice to this generation, and the next, is: You don’t have to live on the run, sometimes it’s important to stop and watch the sunset. Don’t put your objectives before your health, take care of yourself and the nature around you. Be happy and live a light life.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
One of the most important people to me is my sister and work partner, the writer Gabriela Lages Veloso. When we were children, she always encouraged me to draw and study. She is a very special person, with a lot of patience and she made me see the world in a better way. One of my inspirations to start drawing professionally was her texts. I’m very happy to have her by my side. She helped me develop my creativity, self-criticism, empathy, organization and resilience.

Finally, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to tell my story to the world. Thank you so much!

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