Story & Lesson Highlights with Bruna Lages Veloso of Brazil

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Bruna Lages Veloso . Check out our conversation below.

Bruna, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Through my two professions, biologist and illustrator, I can go to incredible places, both in real life and in my imagination. Being in touch with nature and the arts allows me to find my inner child, discover the happiness in simple things, see the complexity of life, and feel the curiosity and enthusiasm to continue. During these moments, I lose track of time and manage to forget the difficult things of everyday life. This allows me to connect with nature and at the same time study it, with the aim of conserving life on the planet. Everyone should take some time for nature and the arts; we are part of them, we need them to rest our souls and rediscover ourselves.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a digital illustrator, graphic designer, cover artist, and biologist. I have a degree in Biological Sciences from the Universidade Estadual do Maranhão (UEMA). During my graduation, I received the Academic Merit Award for highest grade point average. I am doing a master’s degree in the Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade (PPGECB – UEMA). In addition, I am a researcher at the Laboratório de Biodiversidade Molecular (LABIMOL/UEMA) and the Laboratório de Ecologia e Sistemática de Peixes (LABESP – UFMA). I am currently the official illustrator for writer Gabriela Lages Veloso’s column on Imirante.com, a website affiliated with Rede Globo. My work spans 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” in the anthology “Ruas Descalças”, by Venas Abiertas. In 2024, I illustrated the cover of the book “Jogo de Espelhos: entre símbolos e representações literárias”, organized by Gabriela Lages Veloso and Pedro Lopes Adão, published by Editora Lema d’Origem (Portugal). In 2025, I designed the cover and layout of the e-book “Ensino de Biologia na Atualidade: tendências e perspectivas”, organized and published by I-Educam. You can learn more about my artistic work on Instagram @_saturno_b.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Through the Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, a Brazilian public university, I had access to higher education by studying Biological Sciences. Doing this degree allowed me to build my own view of everything, the universe, the world, material things, life, and all its complexity. I learned all these things by choosing to study Biology, and I am very happy about that. In a world where everything happens so fast and people don’t stop to observe, life happens. When I find something in nature or some form of art that catches my attention, I stop to observe it calmly and carefully. All things have an infinity of details; it is up to us to discover these universes.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Dream big, child, but don’t forget to follow what you believe in. Create and don’t be afraid to try different things. What I love most about you is your creativity. Be true to yourself. Don’t be afraid to express yourself and make your life art. Many people live lives without purpose, but you have one. We will discover it together along the way. Don’t give up on the things that make you smile, no matter how silly they may seem. They will save you on difficult days. Believe that you are much smarter than you think, and you will learn to find a way whenever you need to solve a problem. Devote yourself to art and music, even if there is no financial return. Not everything in life is about money. Don’t try to fill spaces. You are a free soul. Don’t get stuck in small boxes. Finally, always try to write down your dreams so that you don’t forget them when you achieve them.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
I am Brazilian, from a city called São Luís, which was founded by the French, Portuguese, and Dutch, in a state called Maranhão. My country was greatly influenced by its colonizers, including our official language, which is Portuguese, but the culture I defend is the culture of the autochthones peoples of Brazil. We have many different cultures in our country, the cuisine, which has influences from all over the world, the music that brings various sounds and stories that move and delight us, the visual arts that fill our country with color, the performing arts that are currently being recognized, the books of Brazilian literature that are known worldwide as classics, the architecture that reflects the country’s history, and the countless natural beauties. Our country should be recognized more for its qualities than for the problems it faces. We have an invaluable cultural wealth and we should show it to the world. I am very proud to be Brazilian and to be able, through my art and my research, to reach other countries and bring different perspectives.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel at peace when I can positively impact the world through my work and my art. Being close to nature allows me to contemplate it and feel complete. I feel at peace listening to music that inspires me. When I am close to my best friend and sister Gabriela. Being able to be part of projects that care for the planet and people. It gives me a sense of accomplishment to be able to teach about biology and how incredible everything in the universe is. I feel serenity when watching the sunset and observing things that are normally invisible. And I feel at peace when I remember that art is my main source of joy and life.

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Image Credits
MR Formaturas

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