Meet Flavia Braun

Today we’d like to introduce you to Flavia Braun.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil. There I worked for four years in an advertising agency. When I was 21 years old, I packed my bags and moved to California, to study English.

Two years later, I got into Santa Monica Community College in Los Angeles, and I started to study Graphic Design. I ended up studying Visual Arts at the Miami International University of Art & Design where I graduated thanks to a scholarship for international students. I have also concluded my masters in Design & Communication at UCLA extensions.

Today, after eight years of experience in writing, graphic design, fashion design, and illustration, I have been granted endless inspiration and an eclectic palette with which I create. Today I live everywhere in the world! Just kidding, but I pass most of my time in between Los Angeles, São Paulo and Belgium. Today, I live and work as a full-time painter, illustrator, and textile designer.

I am most driven to create for causes and communities I believe in. When I am not designing, you’ll find me sliding in the sea, practicing yoga, gardening or making massive messes of health concoctions in the kitchen.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all! Lots of them… To start with the language barrier and being an immigrant is not easy! I had to learn English as fast as I could, and it was so worthy! I went through difficult times, being away from my family and friends. I had to find ways to make money to keep living, studying and painting… But, as every artist… we are creative beings, and we can always find a way to support our dreams. Right?

We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I am a freelance designer and a contemporary painter. If it´s not too much, I like to call my professions as Creator. I have to create something new every day. I love challenges. I work as a Graphic Designer, Textile Designer, and a painter.

I like to create a series that speak to people about the things I care for… For example, I like to talk about Veganism, I like to paint animals. I like to create them as colorful and playful as I can… Always in a happy atmosphere.

I believe that critics should be made in a way that people can relate to and not shocking them… Instead of painting animals suffering, I like to paint them happy because that is how I believe that they should be. I also like to create pieces that bring positive energy to my customers.

Our home, offices, and workspace are our temple. We need to decorate it accordingly, right? I would like to grow my business in a way that in the future I can make great collaborations with companies how to do good for the planet and our society.

I am driven to create for causes I believe in. I have a series called “There is no Planet B,” and I give 10% of the sale as a discount to whatever Non-Profit organization my customer chose to donate the value to. I like to imagine a better world, a different planet…

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Number one characteristic is persistence. Being an artist is not easy, but like any profession, we need to keep working hard until we succeed.

I had someone ask me yesterday for advice… their family was discouraging them from becoming an artist. They don’t believe that artists make money and that it is a hard road to follow. I thought, there are so many discouraging people out there. I know for me, I have encountered many. The looks of lost hope when you tell someone, “I’m an artist.” – I had to persist, and I keep doing it every single day.

Artists can be very rich, or artists can be very poor. Lawyers can be rich or can be poor… the profession is irrelevant. What matters is the person. The person that sets out with intention, conviction, knowledge, passion, and drive, will never be poor. The one that is doubtful, fearful, easily shaken, insecure, will find poverty quickly. You cannot listen to anything or anyone other than what you know to be true within yourself. Let no one determine your outcome.

That is a quick way to loosen your power and become powerless. You can be happy, you can be rich, you can love, and be loved. The choice is completely yours. Do not listen to what people say… that´s key to success in my opinion. Or even better… to be happy in life! I chose to be a successful artist, to live my dream and that is what I am doing now…

Contact Info:

• Website: www.flaviabraun.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: flaviabraunart

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