What is the best thing that I love about my work? The thing I love most about my work is the work itself: I can draw all the day, creating illustrations and comics that can also inform and talk about important themes, linked to sexuality, sexual health, menstruation and so on.Through my work I can educate but also entertain people.
What is my idea of happiness? My idea of happiness is a picture of myself in my own home, at my desk, with a cup of tea, a plaid, a pug near my feet, in front of my I-pad, drawing while listening good death metal or watching a tv show.
What is my greatest fear? My greatest fear is not being able to draw. I can’t stand or just image a life without doing my favorite thing, drawing and creating an artistic content.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? Sometimes I can be very shy, I have a hard time talking to people I don’t know very well, or going out alone, and answering a call from an unknown number. I also sometimes get into bad moods and question my own self worth, but I try to be brave and to keep myself busy to get out.
Which living persons in my profession do i most admire? This is a hard question, because I really admire a lot of people in my realm of work ; but I think I have to say Marloes De Vries, both for the style and the vision of life. I also love the humor of Gemma Correll, she really knows how to capture such delicate thematics, like anxiety and mental health.
What is my greatest extravagance? I think that in my work my extravagance is the “nudity”, the “imprudence” of talking about sex in an explicit way.
On what occasion would I lie? I would like to say that I don’t like lie, but I found out that sometimes is a necessary thing when you need to protect/help someone that you love.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? The thing that I dislike the most in my work is the perception of other people. Some clients don’t approach to me in a professional way, they think I’m just some artist on Instagram and they don’t realize that what I do with my platform is very much part of my work.
When and where was I the happiest, in my work? No matter when or where; I’m always happy when I can draw.
If I could, what would I change about myself? Maybe few years ago I would have probably said my body. Now I feel much more comfortable with it; now I would say that I would like to change my shyness, but also it’s a part of myself.
What is my greatest achievement in work? Having realized an illustrated book for an obstretician, a scientific book that explains to children how they were born.
Where would I most like to live? I would say Venice. Such a beautiful city, full of art, amazing buildings, on the water, without cars… a little paradise.
What is my most treasured possession? My pipes. I love collecting pipes.
What is my most marked characteristic? Well, if you referred to my dress style… my outfits are always a little bit out of the ordinary. My hair too, I often change it. I get bored quickly.
What is my most inspirational location, in my city? The artificial lake, near my home. It’s a quiet place, nice for a walk in nature and a great spot to find inspiration.
What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city? I live in a very little town, but only this year, despite the pandemic,my family and I have discovered a restaurant in the town near to us. We fall in love with it, they cook very nice pizzoccheri 😀
What books influenced my life and how? Virginia Woolf’s books completely change my view of the world, the role of woman in society. She’s an icon of modernity, both in writing and her ideas.
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? Probably I will try to listen all the songs on my youtube and spotify compilations; I can’t literally choose.
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? My heroine is Hermione Granger. A great activist, strong woman, I really love her character in the “Harry Potter” Series, so inspirational.
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? My heroine in real life is Bebe Vio. She’s so positive and she embrace power, I would really like to meet her.
Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime? Pulp fiction, fight club, trainspotting.
I’m a big fan of Quentin Tarantino and Irvine Welsh’books.
What role play stories in my life and work? Stories are very important. I try to tell stories about myself, my own life, and also the stories of other great personalities that have changed/are changing the world. Stories of people can make us feel more connected to each other, and help us learn.
What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me? This sentence makes me feel so powerful: I can really do anything, and that’s a big thing to tell to yourself when you feel bad. It’s like medicine.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? I don’t really know how to answer at this question, but I think that my greatest fan is my sister. She’s an illustrator too, and we always try to help and support each other in our work. We are pretty much tied at the hip, we have a beautiful relationship.
Which people or companies would I like to work with in 2021? The companies I would like to work with in 2021 are a lot, but I’ll try to make a little selection: Femtis, Fun Factory, Bao publishing, Diabolo Edizioni, and I would really enjoy to be represented by Bee Hive Agency, or Opera Illustration, which are all illustrator agencies.
Which people in my profession who can make a real difference in my creative career would i love to meet in 2021? I think I would really love to meet: Stefano Bessoni, I would enjoy to do one of his workshops about stop motion animation; Clara Battello and Davide Calì, two great italian art directors; I would also like to work for Debbi Bibo’s agency, she’s an amazing person.
What project, in 2021, am I looking forward to work on? I’m working on my first agenda project:
The 2022 Agenda by @meriodoc.
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? They make me feel more confident: if passion never dies this means that I will always be drawing, and that’s my greatest ambition.
Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story? Peter should invite italian creative heroines such as Alice Negri (@marlavonduta), Collettivo Lenti Viola ( @collettivolentiviola) they are three amazing illustrators, Martina Filippella (@diaridibrodo), and Irene Buzzi (@irene_buzzi_illustration).
How can you contact me? Instagram: @meriodoc : https://www.instagram.com/meriodoc/
Facebook: The Art of Meriodoc : https://www.facebook.com/michelanegri.illustrator
Site: https://www.behance.net/michelanegri
For collaborations you can contact me on: michelanegri.art@gmail.com