Unreal Artists x Lara Luís
Meet our December creative: the ever-talented Lara Luís!
Hailing from Porto, Lara Luís is a visual artist who began her career almost 10 years ago. She finds inspiration in her day-to-day life and in her multiple personalities - many of which have served as inspiration for several characters that can be seen throughout her work.
Known for autobiographical work, Lara explores her adventures and emotions through comics, illustrations, murals, and beyond.
Today, Lara has her hands full as she balances her anxiety, artistic passions, and role of Art Director at a prominent advertising agency.
What are your main sources of inspiration? Name 3 references for your work.
My biggest sources of inspiration come from everyday events. As a theme, I use my own life to create comics in which the main character is me, and I also use secondary characters to illustrate other facets of my personality.
As references, although I try to base myself as little as possible on other artists even though I admire them a lot, I can refer to Frida Kahlo for exploring both the theme of self-portrait and for conducting herself in her own life; Gemma Corel, a British illustrator who creates comics that use a simple language and brilliant humour; and, finally Jack Teagle, because I think his drawings are genius from the universe he creates to the colour palette he uses.
Do you have a routine or ritual to enable creativity? Share it with us
I don't have a work routine or a magic formula that I use to get inspiration to work. In fact, I don't even have a fixed routine...although I do prefer to work more in the morning. I think about work all day and I will think about ideas I have to explore later. Often, the way I work depends on the type of work I do and whether or not I can do it at home or in the studio. It all depends on whether I need space or not. I like working in total silence in the same way that I can turn my music up to the max! My work process depends a lot on my state of mind, but this is something I’ve been working on and have gradually forced myself to change. I now try to draw every day, even on days when my mood is way low.
Do you use your fashion style as a way to express your personality/creativity? And has fashion ever been a source of inspiration for you and if yes can you give us a concrete example?
I think that the way I dress says a lot about my personality. I am a collector of vintage clothing and I love finding those spectacular pieces in flea markets and second-hand clothing stores. I really like vintage culture: from the clothes to the furniture, the music...so I think it ends up reflecting a little of who I am! I’ll usually add something extra to the outfit with a leather jacket and a bolder boot. I also think my style is very much associated with Rock n’ Roll. I made my character in the USA wear a timeless outfit that I always end up wearing: a striped t-shirt and pants.
Fashion has a very important place in my life and I would like to explore that side of myself a lot more in my drawings. I have some projects launching soon that I can't reveal yet, but that involve accessories, and I couldn't be happier to be working with fashion!
What is your favourite work and what does it represent within your line of work?
My favourite work is my comics. They represent the essence of what I am, the problems I deal with every day, and I think are the basis of my work!
Do you use your art to convey any social or political issues? If yes what are the current movements you relate to the most?
Yes, I often do pro-bono work to help support animal institutions, as well as mental health and LGBT associations.
Do you think it’s important to be part of a creative female group? Are you part of any in particular? Do you have a female role model you relate to?
I think it’s very important that women are united. It’s important that we create more groups where we can meet to discuss issues related to our gender, the current position we have in society, and what we can do to improve the way we’re still seen within society. I am not part of any group at the moment, but I’d love to join one and have a more active role. My female role model is Frida Kahlo because she was a woman who faced the most difficult struggles and endured countless suffering to leave behind a legacy composed of magnificent works of art. I get a lot of inspiration from that, mainly because I identify myself with her emotionally, but also professionally. She worked a lot on her self-portraits - just like me.
What are the key elements that would make you want to collaborate with a brand?
To collaborate with a brand it is important for me that the brand has good values, especially brands that do not test their products on animals and try to be sustainable ... And of course, I like to identify myself with it! Liking the brand you are working with is halfway to a better final result!
Do you identify with Unreal Fields? How?
I identify with Unreal Fields because I think it’s a bold brand with a lot of originality and a surprise factor in its pieces! I especially like the implementation of the profiles on the shoes and boots, and the different coloured heels in acrylic. It plays with what’s traditional, improving and transforming a classic into a super original final product!
If you had to pick, what’s your favourite UF shoe? Which model would you pick for a photoshoot that also featured your work?
I really like the white Dale pump and the black Doric boots. Actually, I think any of the models would match my personality. They’re the kind of shoes and boots I’d wear along with vintage dresses to go to a rock concert! And, since my work is mostly monochromatic, I think they’d work well with any work I have done!
