My name is Marinela de Nascimento. I’m a self-taught artist raised and based in Belgium, with roots deeply connected to Angola, where I was born. As a kid, I remember always wanting nothing more than becoming a painter. After years of dreaming and never giving up, I’ve finally made that dream a reality! With the support of my family and being surrounded by amazing people, I started to post my art on social media and was so happy to see how much my work was resonating with people online!

Inspired by the contemporary European city life and the ancestral echoes of Africa, my art represents a trippy fusion of dream logic, tribal rhythms, spiritual folklore, and childhood memories cracked open and reimagined in electric colors. I enjoy creating visual playgrounds where the untamed energy of the subconscious runs wild. No rules are followed when I paint: my inner child takes the lead! Every piece of my art is born from a place that’s raw, unfiltered, intuitive, and deeply personal. They’re part of my nonverbal expression in how I explore identity, freedom, and what it means to belong—and not belong—anywhere.

I’m so thankful for the people who support me and share love with me today. I wouldn’t be here without you. Dreams do come true. It is possible to become whoever you want to be. Keep being you! (: