Today we’d like to introduce you to Savina Lara.
Hi Savina, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Growing up in a single paycheck household I was always taught to use what I had around me. I think this is where my collage story begins. Instead of buying birthday cards, my mom used to make them for me out of paper and marker, cutting out magazine spreads of toys or cartoons that I liked. It wasn’t until 2018 that I decided to take my sense of creativity more seriously.
As a response to the state’s recreational cannabis legalization I started creating collage works focusing on the flower as a way to combat the stigmatization of users and the plant itself. This evolved into a career working with various companies and organizations around the nation focused on cannabis culture. During this period I found companies often asking if in addition to my collage work, I would ever be interested in supporting their graphic needs as it only seemed like a natural transition. I did enjoy the creative process so I decided to go back to school and learn the fundamentals of graphic design so that I may take on more professional work.
Once I began working as a professional graphic designer, my collage work took on an editorial style but still always contained the bold, colorful style that I started with. Even before the formal education, my experience playing with collage informed much of my design language that I still use today.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I often struggled to see myself as a “professional” since I didn’t come from a formal art background. Some days the imposter syndrome was so strong I considered giving up my artistic career entirely and sticking to something more practical. To combat this, I first had to reassess the reason why I was creating. It was either to make a statement on a topic that I felt more people should be aware about or to enjoy the process of creating. I was mistaken to think that I ever had to enter the formal art world of galleries and criticisms. Instead, I see my practice as a way to carve out time for myself to find a moment of release. Whether it’s frustrations with the current political climate, a constant probe into my own identity or just to do something outside of work that I consider fun.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Day to day I am a freelance graphic designer and web developer. My work sits at the intersection of design, strategy, and community. I create brands, websites, campaigns, and visual systems for people and organizations who are doing meaningful work. Before design became the center of my practice, I spent years organizing, advocating, and building community-led projects that still shape how I work today.
In addition to my profession I also specialize in making collages that meld vintage magazines, found images, and vibrant colors to explore the intricate layers of my identity. My collages serve as a visual metaphor for the resilience of Chicana identity, where bright pops of color breathe new life into aged narratives.
What were you like growing up?
As a child I was very social but most often alone. Because of this I would develop a natural independence and curiosity of the world around me. This often led me to reading books, coloring and learn various life skills that will in contribute to myself becoming an independent, self-sufficient adult. In addition to having to figure things out when I was young, I really enjoyed the process as well. Often I would help my mom as she fixed a plumbing issue, worked on her car or sewed a dress. The process of salvaging an item, turning it from a discarded piece of waste to something valuable, is something that I draw on constantly as inspiration.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hellomonet.com
- Instagram: @savinamonet
Image Credits
Carolina Nascimento
Adam Sacchetti
Mandy Arroyo
