Marina Esmeraldo

Shaped by Place, Inspired by Play

Marina Esmeraldo is a Brazilian artist and illustrator whose work is defined by bold colour, geometric forms and a deep sense of storytelling. Originally from the tropical northeast of Brazil, she carries the vibrancy of her homeland into every piece she creates. Now based in Barcelona, Marina finds parallels between the energy of the Mediterranean and the tropics, allowing both influences to shape her artistic voice. With a background in architecture, her compositions balance structure and fluidity, often exploring themes of place, memory and sensory experience.

While much of Marina’s work has been inspired by landscapes and travel, her latest pieces take a more intimate turn. As a new mother, she is fascinated by the way children engage with shape and colour, inspiring her to create works that centre simple, bold geometric forms – art that is both visually stimulating and rooted in a sense of play.

“The colours, culture and nature of my homeland are always with me, infusing my work with the vibrancy of the tropics.”

Intuition and Texture

Marina’s process is both instinctive and considered. She often begins with small sketches or thumbnail studies, experimenting with colour variations before translating them into finished works. Marina prefers working with creamy oil pastels, appreciating their depth of colour and rich materiality, alongside acrylics for precise, structured compositions. She also embraces three-dimensionality, working with wood and ceramics to expand her visual language beyond the page.

“My process begins with immersion – understanding the story, the place or the concept I want to convey. Sometimes I sketch and explore colours, and other times I go straight in, letting the piece unfold intuitively.”

Marina’s inspirations span midcentury landscape art, fauvism and expressionism, all united by a bold and intuitive use of colour. For Marina, colour is not just aesthetic – it is the essence of storytelling, mood and memory. Beyond the canvas, she continues to expand her practice, from animation to spatial installations that bridge her background in architecture with her love of storytelling, as well as hosting workshops to support and inspire other artists.