We are excited to get a peek into Ale Puro's life in the small town of Vigevano, located in Northern Italy near Milan. Here Ale tells us more about his art, his daily life, and his children.
Do your paintings and characters have names?
Generally my paintings don't have titles, so many times it is the person who buys my artwork who names the characters. My kids love to give funny and sometimes strange titles to my paintings.
Where is the most unexpected place you've seen your artwork on display?
Making murals I often find myself working on different walls in different environments. Perhaps the one I remember with the most pleasure and which is different from the usual, is a mural I made in Milan which was subsequently 'enhanced'. By framing it with a smartphone camera and a particular app, the mural comes alive; thanks augmented reality!
Where is your favorite place to go to get inspired?
For inspiration I like to walk. Walking relaxes me and gives me a chance to get lost in my thoughts. Living in a small city, I have the opportunity to wander around completely different places, such as from the historic city center to the countryside, just with a simple walk. There is so much around me that inspires me.
What made you choose to partner with Nook?
When Nook first contacted me I was really happy, first of all because I see my artwork aligning with the playful nature of Nook's Pebbles. And the mutual enthusiasm and admiration makes me super excited to start this new adventure together.
What is your favorite item from the Nook collection?
I love all the items!!! They are fantastic! I love the pillow toys, but if I really have to choose, being someone who loves living in an imaginative world, I choose the space themed sheets and quilt.
Tell us about your life in Italy with your kids.
I'm lucky enough to be able to organize my days and times, which allows me to spend a lot of time with my two children. We spend a lot of time outdoors. If the weather is good we just can't stay at home! We play a lot in the courtyard just outside our home.
My daughter, Nina, is 11 years old and spends a lot of time with her classmates even after school. My son, Romeo, is 5 years old and he usually comes to my studio after school to draw and create new works with me!
When Nina and Romeo are in the studio with me, they are free to do and create whatever they want. Their drawings and collaborative works inspire me; they are an important part of my artistic process.
How do you recharge when you're not with your kids?
When I have free time, I love to browse vintage markets and antique stores. I spend a lot of time reading postcards and looking for old notebooks, books or vinyls.
Any parting thoughts or parenting tips?
My oldest 'baby' is already 11 years old, and these 11 years have passed very quickly, so the best advice I can give is to try to spend as much time as possible with your children because time flies and our children grow up in an instant!
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