Interview with Michel Cena7

q)Please introduce yourself.

a)Hi... My name is Michel Ramalho de Toledo, I am Brasilian, and i Live and work in Sao Bernardo do Campo – Sao Paulo – Brasil - World.

q) How would you describe your work to someone who has never seen it?

a)Out painting on the streets from the age of fourteen, so I quickly developed a unique visual language that reflects the natural and urban environment of my country, weaving rich primary tones amidst warm earthy hues to create the meditative landscape of anthropomorphic figures amid swooning plants and insects for which he is known.

q) How did you start in the arts? How/when did you realize you were an artist?

a)For me, I start when I born, art for me is a way to live the life, share our experience with other life… live with poetry in the heart, sometimes is difficulty, because we see a lot of injustice in the world and in own history too, but we have to keep going, doing what we fell is right, by example on the positive side, always.

… I do not like to think that the person who produces art is different from other people, that´s make we appear like a gods... and we don´t! becouse of that, I prefer be call maloqueiro, in my language this mean tramp, but is a tramp with consciousness... I feel that it defines me much better and let me closer to people, art is being with people, knowing every day how we can share, forgetting the selfishness.

q) What are your favorite art materials and why?

a)When I paint on the streets I usually used spray paint and latex, I really like latex, because with this material I can create overlaps and layers that I can not do using only spray paint.

q) What/who influences you most?

a)Like I said, art for me is a way to live life with other lives... beocuse of that I believe that friends, family and people who make a positive difference in the world by always influence me, I sense the victory.

q) Describe a typical day of art making for you.

a)I wake up early, get all my paint and go to streets alone, where I paint and find people who have never seen in my life, so… I talk, learn, see, change my way and learn more ... and when I feel I have to go home, or just because the ink, or the hungry ... I come back, take a shower ... I feel the sweat on my mouth, I see him go down the drain, and I know that was a beautiful day, because I gave, to receive.

q) Do you have goals, specific things you want to achieve with your art or in your career as an artist?

a)Yes I have… but nothing happens when and how we wants.
so…just let happen.

q) What contemporary artists or developments in art interest you?

a)So many…

I like Emol ( www.flickr.com/emerson-emol )

Daniel Melim ( http://www.fotolog.com.br/danielmelim )

q) How long does it typically take you to finish a piece?

a)When I do canvas, (and I like to paint big canvas…) I long… maybe about 1 month

When I paint in a special paper using water color, maybe few weeks

q) Do you enjoy selling your pieces, or are you emotionally attached to them?

a)I just sell some pieces… A lot of then I keep with me, not because I am emotionally attached to them… I don’t witch sure, but I like to give them sometimes…

q) Is music important to you? If so, what are some things you're listening to now?

a)Music is very important to me, I listening a lot! A typical song from my country like samba and MPB, but is the same - for example, Fundo de Quintal, Caetano Veloso, Chico Buarque, Gonzaguinha, Elis Regina… a group called Mzuri Sana, and a Mc called Parteum, Racionais MC’S, Kamau, Slim Rimografia and other’s...

q) Books?

a)I love Marginal literature, things from Gil Scott Heron for example, great musician, poet and writer, that the change the history of music since in his time until the present day.

And in my country I really like Sergio Vaz and Ferréz, two great writers, poets and cultural agitators, which are much the art for all and all.

But currently I read more about what is happening now!

Can see more here:

Gil Scott Heron = http://sopedrada.blogspot.com/2006/05/gil-scott-heron-uma-das-minhas-maiores.html

Sérgio Vaz = http://colecionadordepedras.blogspot.com/

Ferréz = http://ferrez.blogspot.com/

both have a great job.

q) What theories or beliefs do you have regarding creativity or the creative process?

a)I feel my inside calling to me, has always been in this way... very natural.

q) What do you do (or what do you enjoy doing) when you're not creating?

a)I like to going out with friends, drinking, make some pixaçãoes, (our typical graffiti) – (http://www.fotolog.com.br/tropco_e/49046031 -http://www.fotolog.com.br/tropco_e/47682678 ) - and not talking about work or things related to that, for maybe relax the head ... I like to keep in silence too.

q) Do you have any projects or shows coming up that you are particularly excited about?

a)Not in the moment.

q) Do you follow contemporary art scenes? If so, how? What websites, magazines, galleries do you prefer?

a)Websites - I like Wooster Collective, Ekosystem and so many Flickr’s…

Magazines – Juxtapoz, Zupi…

Galleries - I know very few galleries, I can talk about Carmichael Gallery in L.A, by the way I am doing a show there, until next month call MOOD SWINGS –

( http://www.carmichaelgallery.com/ )

q) Ask yourself a question you'd like to answer, and answer it.

a)Is very personal. rs

q) Any advice for aspiring artists?

a)Do for love... (But, what is love?!)

q) Where can we see more of your work online?

a)On my flickr’s and blog...

www.flickr.com/cena7-mpc

www.flickr.com/in_cena7

www.vazio21.blogspot.com

Best for all.