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InspirationIllustration

Giada Maestra on why she's passionate about body positivity

Giada Maestra grew up in the North East of Italy and spent most of her childhood immersed in an artistic environment, in touch, especially with photography and drawing.

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Illustration of a woman standing on tiptoes in a black jacket and skirt, with text reading "hope they can't see through

The artist studied Fashion Design at Iuav University but has chosen Illustration as their creative path. Currently living in North-East London, Giada specialises in Illustration with an MA at Camberwell College of Arts whilst working as a freelance illustrator and artist on private commissions and collaborating with magazines, charities and non-profit organisations.

Her most recent project PERIOD is an ongoing series of drawings about women dealing with their menstruation. "I like to share scenes of my everyday life with other people on the off-chance they can empathise with them," Giada tells Creative Boom. "I think it is necessary to educate about body positivity, to educate our eyes to what I simply describe as normal events."

Illustration by Giada Maestra of a figure with curly hair wearing white underwear and striped socks, surrounded by pink text reading "these are perfect
Illustration of a woman in grey holding her abdomen with red lines and text reading "my dearest friend", from Giada Maestra's PERIOD series about menstruation

"Work about women/for women is a topic to which I'm very sensitive. Through this type of work, I have the opportunity to make my voice heard and to produce something useful for the feminine community."

Her main inspiration is the ordinary: everyday scenes and objects, and she tends to draw directly from personal experience and memories. "I don't like the idea of a style still in time," she says. "I'm always open to new influences and methods, and if I feel the need to explore and to change something, I just do it."

Blue-skinned figure with black hair sitting with legs spread, with "OH NO!" written below, from Giada Maestra's PERIOD illustration series
Two illustrated figures in contrasting blue and pink outfits standing together, with text reading "an I dirty?" below them
Purple figure with black dreadlocks standing under water droplets, with text reading "After Shower..." above, from Giada Maestra's PERIOD series about menstruation

Giada draws digitally with Procreate on iPad Pro and is following the work of artists like the British illustrator Laura Carlin and German photographer Michael Wolf.

"For 2021, I plan to dedicate myself more on animation; that intrigues me a lot. I know just a few basics, and I would like to create something more complex and detailed. Moreover, I would like to start working on editorial pieces and do more collaborations with other artists and not necessarily illustrators. "

Follow the artist @Giada Maestra.

Illustrated figure wearing pink striped top and trousers with headphones, holding a circular object, with text below reading "I feel kinda dirty
Pink-toned illustration of a woman with black curly hair sitting with legs spread, surrounded by condoms, lubricant and other intimate items, captioned "When you have a date, obv!
Hand-drawn illustration showing bathroom items including soap, toothbrush, shower head and towel arranged in a noose shape, with text reading "It's too late for washing me away bitch
Minimalist line drawing of a figure with pink reproductive anatomy highlighted in the centre and red text reading "WHY?!" below, from Giada Maestra's PERIOD series
Yellow hand holding red and black illustrated flowers, with text reading "ONE BY ONE" above scattered flower drawings on a beige background
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