Doug Alves
Age: 26
Email: hello@nacionale.net
Website: www.nacionale.net

1. What type of medium do you work with and explain how you use it?
I’ve been using photography and collages in my work, specially for Iniciativa Colectiva, I’ve used photography along with illustrations.

2. What was your main interest in producing this artwork, or is there a statement you wanted to convey?
I’m always trying to say something else in my pieces, for the Iniciativa Collectiva piece and as a nature lover, I decided to come up with a mix of fashion and nature which I’ve been exploring a lot lately in my work.

3. Tell us about your creative process, do you have any rituals, routines you follow? How does your artwork come together?
Well, I like to hear a good music and sometimes I use to take little breaks to think what I want to do with that work and if I’m getting there. The composition process is always hard, I used to spend more time thinking about the composition than anything else. It’s difficult but it’s fun at the same time.

4. How did you get started with your artistic career?

I started my career in 2000 working with interactive shops and agencies. In Brazil, I worked for agencies like BBDO Group, Ogiilvy and Agencia Click, which was really nice. I learned a lot working in these agencies and also I made good friendships.
In ‘05, after 5 years working in agencies, I decided to become a freelancer to have more time to develop my illustration skills and I’ve been focused in the illustration field since then.

5. What would you say is one of your greatest accomplishments?
I think moving to the US was really a great for me, working abroad is different in many ways, I’ve been learning English and also working with nice people and good clients.

6. Where does your inspiration come from?
I’m really into to the nature theme. The silence of nature and the organics and detailed forms of plants and flowers have always been a great inspiration for me.

When I was kid, I used to spend my vacations in small towns rich with nature and very peaceful and I think that when I was researching for my own style I just brought my childhood into my illustrations, specially when I draw birds. My grandfather loved birds, I always associate his image with birds.

7. How do you see your artwork evolving from now?
I can see more space to explore my nature style and my collages than before, I’ve been learning a lot and pushing myself lately to get better in both styles, new challenges are showing up and I hope they still coming, they will definitely help me develop more my artwork. - IC