Creative.9 - Lunna
A sentient heart for your next project (or tattoo).
1. Introduction
Hello reader! I hope we found you in high spirits because perhaps… this interview was written centuries ago but is only coming to light now! Today I have the utmost joy and honour to bring not only one of the greatest professionals I have ever met but also one of the most sensitive artists that walked on earth at the same timeline as you and me!
Lunna, in fact, doesn’t really like labels because she acknowledges that she can transform at any moment and become a new, wiser and improved version of her past self. Lunna is like a human chrysalis with two small feet, ready to kick any outer shell and spread her new wings towards new horizons.
We tend to joke between us that we are each other’s half of the orange fairly because we can always communicate at the same frequency even if sometimes, life is as tough as cracking a hazelnut with a finger flick.
A true survivor of any obstacle life can throw, a bard with many different soundtracks and a shy rapper ready to send you home with a 2nd place trophy. Lunna has gone through many different zombie apocalypses, even if she only had seven days to build a fortress. Lunna is the type of person that, regardless of how many battles she has to fight, at the end of the day, she will always shake off the dust, break a smile and draw something beautiful and inspiring while giving you a warming lesson of compassion.
My admiration for her could go for many different lines throughout this introduction, but before I get lost in words, it would be better for me to throw the mic into her hands.
*throws the mic towards the sky
2. Interview
Welcome Lunna! Can you share a little bit of your background with us? Where are you from, and how old are you?
Well, I've always had a lot of difficulty answering the question "Where are you from?" because I've lived in so many places that I am and belong to several. But on August 17, 1998, at 10:22 PM (couldn't be more Leo), in Ponta Grossa, I had my first contact with the air and the world. But I've lived in Paranaguá-PR, Santos and Guarujá-SP, Foz do Iguaçu-PR, and now in my long-awaited Curitiba-PR.
How many tattoos do you have? Can you share with our readers what the artistic expression of tattoos means to you?
Well, this is one of the questions that people really enjoy asking. I need to redo this count, but I stopped counting at the 40th tattoo about 2 years ago, hahaha.
Uuh, I love this question. The tattoo sommeliers out there are always asking what it means, and believe it or not, sometimes there's no specific meaning for that particular design. But that's where the magic starts for me. Tattoos don't necessarily have to have a meaning, but every tattoo speaks about you. Whether it's in the design, style, whether it's colourful or not, and so on. In my view, we are temples and museums, and through tattoos, we exhibit a new art, a new perspective, and a new concept for ourselves on our bodies.
Among all those tattoos, which one was the most painful? Could you describe it and share its meaning to you?
Well, I have tattoos in areas where people feel a lot of pain, but there are three tattoos that I remember very well how agonizing they were. The first one was on my chest, between the breasts; that place was hell for me. The second one was the little dots I have near my nail on each finger of my left hand, I felt like I was being nailed there. And the last one, due to the lack of sensitivity from the artist, was the first tattoo I gave up on after just 40 minutes of the session. It's a lettering on my belly, I could only endure the outlining. ;-; Unfortunately, there are professionals who have great technical skills but lack the necessary sensitivity to the body they're tattooing, which makes the process worse than it already is.
Can you share a bit of your academic journey with us? How do you study what you like and ensure you are up to date in personal and professional interests?
I could bring a huge list of things I've studied, haha. But let's go. I graduated from UA in Social Communication and Digital Media, but before that, I also studied Interior Design, Photography, and, believe it or not, even Pharmacy.
I've always been a person who fed on and lived through art without even fully understanding it. Studying things I love isn't a sacrifice; hyperfocus kicks in, and I just go for it. But the advice I give is: Live. Techniques can certainly be studied and specialized in, but creativity comes only from living.
Do 1% every day, make a video about something you want to learn or write a text each day. It's already more than what you knew yesterday, and surely, it will be less than what you'll know tomorrow. (even if it's just 1%)
Before becoming a tattoo artist, you were a graphic designer, right? Can you tell our young readers how you got started in that profession?
It's impossible to talk about how I got into the creative field without mentioning the distant past. At 15, I started working with photography; for those who are feeling nostalgic and remember, I began editing with Photoscape, haha, but later I learned Photoshop and Lightroom. When I was in Interior Design college, I had the opportunity to intern in Graphic Design since I already had some knowledge in the field. That's when I fell in love and could merge photography with design. I remember arriving in Foz in 2018, and that's when I entered this field. I had a long journey to get into Graphic Design, and it was another journey to explore and discover the aspects I enjoyed.
Why do you consider branding a fundamental step for new products and companies? What is your favourite part of a branding process?
I am passionate about concepts, so anything involving a concept captures my eyes and heart. Branding has my entire being; I love breathing life into brands and, more than that, giving them purpose. It's almost like I'm a god shaping something, and the essence, the branding, is the air that enters through the nostrils and breathes life into the brand. Branding is important because it is the very essence; it's what makes people connect.
If you could be the Brand Manager of any brand in the world for a single day, which one would it be and why?
Honestly, I've never been one to aspire to big corporations; I realized it was never part of my ambition. I tend to keep my focus on those closest to me and projects within reach. Without being a brown-noser, I would absolutely love to be the Brand Manager of Sentient. There's no company in the digital field (that I know of) that I've resonated with as much as I have with it. I know I would have the freedom to create, and that already says a lot about the brand and its essence.
Back to tattoos, got any flashes available?
I always have flashes of inspiration available; my mind is very fertile, and I'm always creating something. Today, I'm proud to say that all my available flashes and projects are original. This project is a drawing I made inspired by the character from the game Gris; if you know or have played it, you understand how amazing that game is. https://br.pinterest.com/pin/916693699135114196/
These little hands were also inspired by the game: https://br.pinterest.com/pin/916693699135114462/
Here are more flashes and projects; I'm slowly posting them on Instagram and Pinterest. Thankfully, my social media side doesn't keep up with my artistic side, haha.
Tell us about your creative process behind bringing new tattoo concepts to life; what is the starting point, what tools do you use, and how do you come up with the ideas?
This question is wonderful. In the beginning, when I understood myself as an artist, many things fell into place: my own style, well-executed techniques, engagement, creation and production, and especially, creative block. I've always been a creative child; I played house and even made clothes for my Barbies. But recently, I've connected with my creativity in a genuine way. I feel more creative than ever because I'm present.
I go out on the streets and take photos of flowers, insects, and plants—nature has soooo many things to inspire us with, whether it's colours, shapes, textures, and so on. That's what it means to live: to immerse yourself in visual and sensory references. That's the secret, and when you distance yourself from that, you disconnect from your creativity.
Moreover, consuming art helps a lot, whether it's from the same field or not—movies, anime, museums, galleries, and so on. Art is life, and in life, you encounter a lot of art; you just need to look through the right lens.
To bring it all together and transmute it, I use Sketchbook Pro, and that's where the magic happens.
Applying these concepts to the skin is a profoundly artisanal process, can you tell us a little bit about your techniques?
Tattooing is a ritual for me, as well as a therapeutic process. One of my purposes is to connect with people, and tattooing achieves that. Despite being something aesthetic, it can be so much more. I've covered scars, done first tattoos, boosted the self-esteem of various individuals, and fulfilled dreams by creating something incredible based on my clients' ideas. So, all these moments are magical. It's a mark etched onto the skin, into time, you know? That, to me, is truly amazing.
Today, all my materials are vegan, and I'm researching and delving deeper to bring in biodegradable products as well—ones that not only benefit our environment but also comply with sustainable standards.
What just happened? You find yourself in an episode of The Walking Dead and the only thing you brought was your backpack, what can you find in it?
Ameey, in my backpack, there will always be my tablet, water, some painting materials, a charger, my bag to roll my little tobacco joint, and some dried leaves that I find beautiful; I pick and keep them in my backpack, hahaha. But I have my creativity and nature, and many hours in survival games.
If you could challenge any celebrity for a rap battle right now, which one would it be?
That's a tough question. One of the battle MCs I admire the most is Barreto. He has a way of rhyming that brings soul and content together with flow, rhythm, and heart. I'd love to cross paths with him and Guri as well, but Barreto is my peak.
What does the name “Lunna” means to you?
Lunna is an adaptation of the word "moon" in Latin, which is "Luna." Luna is also the goddess associated with the Moon. It's been almost a year that I've been introducing myself this way; my old name no longer fits who I am today. Lunna symbolizes rebirth because after going through some psychological challenges, I chose to be the protagonist of my life and live my truth. Before, I wasn't living for myself but for others. It's been and still is a journey for me, but it's very much about the freedom to be and live what emerges from your heart. We are unique because our mannerisms contribute to the world and our evolution. So, live your truth, because that's why we're here.
There’s a legend only heard by some that you were the first person to ever tattoo a brand, if so, can you tell us a little bit about that?
This is the coolest company I've ever come across, hahaha. Yes, I created a tattoo project combined with design for Sentient. It was crazy how this happened. This was incredibly significant for me.
Sentient is one of the brands that I see as weaving together all the threads of ideals and interests for people and the world. I've had many discussions with Thi about Sentient, and he showed me some projects of how the physical company would be and everything the brand aims to provide. I really believe in this project, not to mention it's an opportunity for people who share the same ideals to connect and bring new perspectives.
We just found a new furry planet entirely populated by many different types of cats; with what name should we register this planet in our database?
Nhonnn, I loved this planet, and I already want to move there, hahaha. But it could be called "Pru Meow," that's the sound a cat makes, a mix of meowing and purring.
Look at the brainstorm happening, it could be Planet - Purr Purr, hahaha.
3. Portfolio
Abertura Digital
Branding
Full Presentation
4. Contact
LinkedIn Profile
Instagram
studiocriativo.lunna@gmail.com
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