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Updated 3/31/2022

Filipa Estrela

  • R

    RI

Institution/Business Type: Artist / Creative (Individual)

I am a crafter, cartoonist, performer, educator, and storyteller; sometimes all at the same time. Since childhood I've been someone who is constantly seeking new creative skills so my creative practice is a lot about experimenting, exploring, and discovering new things about myself, my work, and the world around me. 

Currently, I've been focused on making comics with unconventional materials-- ex: needlefelted comics, embroidery comics, mixed media comics, pyrographed comics, cutpaper comics, etc.-- and encouraging others to make unconventional material comics as well. I've hosted comics panels and a few workshops on Unconventional Material Comics, and I am currently editing and publishing an anthology of Unconventional Material Comics featuring work from 18 creators of diverse backgrounds and experience.

Unconventional Material Comics were a part of my Center for Cartoon Studies MFA thesis which I just completed this spring. My thesis, called Tiny & Soft, was a collection of mini-comics tied to objects and inspired by ethereal moments. I made 10 mini comics, each one was different in medium, subject, and/or process. An online version of my thesis can be found here: https://feltmythical.com/Tiny-Soft-Comics-Thesis 

My work is also informed by my identity and heritage. I am a queer, gender-fluid, Cape-Verdean/Macanese-Chinese/Portuguese mixed person of color. I grew up latching on to any tiny scraps of myself I saw in media so representing diverse and marginalized experiences is something very personally important to me. 

My goal in my creative work is to create stories that draw inspiration from my background---whether it is my mixed heritage, queerness, or experience as a crafter, educator and artist ----and blend the everyday with a dose of myth, magic and wonder. Most of all, I want to tell stories that are heartwarming, encourage human connection, and inspire others to embrace their own creative selves.

My 5 year goal is to run a small comics press, focused on publishing experimental comics and zine works by QTBIPOC+ creators

Find Me

Filipa Estrela (Any Pronouns )
Job Title: Cartoonist
Address:
Providence, RI 02906

Social Media:

About

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Artist / Creative (Individual)

Legal Status:

Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship

Year Founded:

2016

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Artist / Creative (Individual)

Legal Status:

Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship

Year Founded:

2016

Disciplines

Primary Discipline:

Visual/Crafts - Cartooning / Graphic Novel

Additional Disciplines:

  • Multi-Disciplinary

Activities and Services

Activities and Services:

  • Arts for Social Change / Creative Activism
  • Creation of a Work of Art (Including Commissions)
  • Public Art Projects (In Free, Public Spaces)
  • Writing Services
  • Arts Instruction / Lessons
  • Workshops / Demonstrations / Master Class
  • Residency - Community
  • Virtual Events
  • Community Arts
  • Artist Market
  • Art Sales

Communities

Populations Engaged:

  • School Groups
  • Youth-At-Risk
  • Families
  • LGBTQ Populations
  • Nonprofits
  • Adults
  • Teens
  • General Public

Languages Available:

  • Creole
  • Portuguese
  • English

Geographic Reach:

  • Multi-State Region
  • State
  • Town / City
  • County
  • Multi-County Region

Media Gallery

I Have Worked With

Affiliations and Accomplishments

Professional Associations

Professional Associations:

  • Queer Archive Work
  • Binch Press

Professional Associations

Professional Associations:

  • Queer Archive Work
  • Binch Press

Awards

Awards:

  • MICE mini -grant winner 2021

Education

Education:

  • Umass Amherst, BFA
  • Center For Cartoon Studies, MFA

Artist Info

Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings:

  • Afterschool Program
  • Arts and Cultural Center / Venue
  • Community Site / Center
  • School / University

Ages Served:

  • Adults
  • High School-age
  • Middle School-age
  • Elementary School-age

Subject Areas:

  • Visual/Crafts

Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings:

  • Afterschool Program
  • Arts and Cultural Center / Venue
  • Community Site / Center
  • School / University

Ages Served:

  • Adults
  • High School-age
  • Middle School-age
  • Elementary School-age

Subject Areas:

  • Visual/Crafts