Brno Expats Have Talent: Lina (Colombia) - graphic designer

Welcome to another episode from our Brno Expats Have Talent series. Brno is full of talented people, and some of them are not from the CR – we’re introducing one talented expat at a time!

Lina Suarez from Colombia – graphic designer

How long have you been designing? 

I’ve been actively practising design for more than 15 years. Initially, I focused on branding and design through graphic design and advertising projects in Colombia. As I moved out of my country, I continued to shape my skills, adapting them to create an online business and explore new creative outlets in each country I lived in the United States, Dubai, Hong Kong, and now Brno.

Is it your main source of income or a hobby?

I’m professionally involved with a non-profit project called COPE in Hong Kong. The project educates children about disaster preparedness through free books. I handle our marketing and PR, with tasks such as connecting with different NGOs to help us with the distribution of the books and participating in conferences.

Before my current job, my art was my main source of income, particularly during my time in Dubai and Hong Kong. Through my brand, Pictoresca Design, I offered customized illustrated products catering to pet owners and art enthusiasts. Currently, since I work remotely, I still offer my art through Pictoresca Design and graphic design services to clients anywhere.

How do you find living in Brno?

Living in Brno as an expat and artist has been enriching and a significant change for me. It’s been an exciting ride! The city offers a vibrant cultural scene. Brno has been amazing; I’m very happy here.

Is it easy to practise your art here, what obstacles did you face?

Practising my art in Brno has its own challenges, particularly finding local suppliers. Now I’m focusing more on digital illustrations and hand-painted pieces. For instance, illustrating on cups; this way, I don’t have to rely on suppliers to produce my products.

How different is the audience or market in the CR compared to your home country?

People in each country are very different; although they have similarities in appreciation for art and design, there are distinctions in tastes and sensitivities. I usually add cultural relevance to my art, and I cannot use the same design in different markets, so I have to adapt to whatever they ask.

Where do you find inspiration?

Inspiration for my art comes from various sources, including my surroundings and personal experiences. Brno and the Czech Republic have certainly brought new inspiration to my work, particularly through their rich history, architecture, and colourful traditions.

Do you cooperate with other expats or local Czechs in your activity?

Yes, networking and building connections within the creative community have been invaluable in expanding my opportunities and reaching new audiences.

Is there any other area that you’d like to explore? 

While I have found success in graphic design, illustration, and product customization, I am eager to explore new areas of artistry. I am interested in painting in large formats or exploring other techniques I have not used yet. I also want to participate in an art exhibition one day to showcase my art and passion to a broader audience.

What did you choose for your live input of this article and why?

I chose to share my journey as an expat artist and entrepreneur, highlighting the challenges and journey of adapting my art across different countries and cultures. I believe my story emphasises the importance of resilience, creativity, and adaptability in pursuing one’s passion.

Where can expats find you and your art in Brno nowadays?

They can find me on Instagram @pictorescadesign or my website.

Watch Lina’s creative journey:

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Photos and video courtesy of Lina. 

People who live in Brno and have art and creativity as part of their lives are living among us. We decided to highlight them through the interviews in this series.

We bring a small snippet of their art to you and you can decide to seek out their performance, exhibition or concert in Brno. We publish interviews with people from various fields – musicians, creative artists, dancers, performers, designers. Feel free to drop us a line with your feedback or suggestions of people or fields.