Gabi Abrão

Los Angeles-based artist Gabi Abrão, also known as @sighswoon, playfully shines light on ““the invisible,” the parts of existence that are intangible and unseen.” Her work glides effortlessly between mediums, from paintings to digital guides such as “Things You Can Pretend To Be When You Feel Uncentered,” to existential memes. Gabi’s thoughtful art is a refreshing glimpse into what it means to truly reconnect with both the present and the profound through technology. I particularly love her words on success: “I feel like a success every time I bring an idea into full form, and do everything I told myself I would do when I was in the euphoric “inspired idea” stage.”

How would you describe what you do?

I am an artist that makes memes, paintings, poems, and videos that are all unified under a shared motive. All my work explores “the invisible”, the parts of existence that are intangible and unseen. The phenomenons that are incapable of being measured or defined, but still take up space in our lives. This can be anything from everyday emotions to magic spells.

How do you deal with the continual ebb and flow of “success” as a creative person?

I put effort into remaining aware of what success means to me personally, aside from societal expectation and illusion. This personal success can always be found in day-to-day happenings, if not more so. For example, getting to eat a perfectly ripe fruit feels like success to me. Or writing a poem into my journal I’ll never share, but really love.

When is a time you felt really successful? Or a time you felt like you failed?

I feel like I have failed every time I get excited about an idea, plan it out, and then don’t explore it into full fruition. I feel like a success every time I bring an idea into full form, and do everything I told myself I would do when I was in the euphoric “inspired idea” stage.

What is your biggest struggle as a person in creative industry?

My biggest struggle is focusing on executing one idea at a time. As a person who works in multiple mediums, there are always a million different projects in motion, and if not projects, ideas. And I’m obsessed with all of them. I can sometimes find myself completely at sea, wallowing in the possibilities and excitement but not making any moves! I’m working on this. Routines help. Schedules help. Working with others helps the most.

What is your daily routine? Your weekend routine?

Every morning, I have a mug of hot lemon water to wake up. I give myself an hour to check my Patreon, check my shop for new orders, check my email, and respond to some DMs. Then I have breakfast and caffeine. After this, I do whatever needs to be done. Which could range from being on my laptop for hours at a cafe writing, printing shipping labels, editing a video, or working on a painting. I often make a to-do list the night before for best results.

How do you motivate yourself to actually get things done and/or maintain some level of productivity?

To-do lists!!! In handwriting, on a piece of paper, with check boxes, hung up. And working with a friend or associate. I’ve recently begun collaborating on projects with my best friend again, and my productivity has greatly improved. I work so much more efficiently when someone else is involved, and I feel a greater sense of accountability.

How do you manage the stress/anxiety that’s inevitable with putting yourself out there?

I practice non-attachment to myself, my ideas, and outcomes as often as I can. Once I put myself or my work out there, they are subject to an insurmountable amount of varying perceptions and opinions. They are forces beyond me, floating in a space that isn't in my control. I access this, sometimes by even imagining my public image/public work as a cloud floating beyond me.

How do you know when it’s time to rest?

It’s always time to rest! Haha, but honestly, I put a lot of work into trying to keep myself as calm as possible, even during intense work periods. I try really hard to define what is busy work and what is necessary. There should be moments of leisure in every day.

How do you manage the internet/social media?

With intention, gratitude, and humor. The internet is the whole reason I get to be a self-sustained creative and share my work. It is such a gift to creatives and I try to remind myself of this always. I also remind myself that it is purely a tool, and it I stay intentional about what I want from it, I garner great results and peace.

Do you collaborate, and if so, what’s your collaborative process like?

I constantly collaborate with James Francis, my childhood best friend and creative partner. We just get together and magic happens. Otherwise, hardly ever.

What’s your big dream? Do you have one? How do you set goals/set yourself up to achieve?

My dream is to be an artist forever, and continue my studies in developing a language with the invisible & surrealism for as long as possible. I want to own a home I love. I want to see as many waterfalls and caves as possible, as well as an enormous glacier at least once. I make lists all the time - I have an ongoing list of the features in my dream home I want. When I see something new in someone’s home that I like, I’ll add to it. I do a lot of visualizing. I celebrate anyone/anything that resembles my personal goals.

How do you deal with people not liking you, liking your ideas or being jealous of you? 

I realized recently that out of, let’s say, 50 supportive messages, there will be about 3-5 negative ones, and I would always put more attention and energy into the negative ones. Even if they were nonsensical and troll-like. I’d be more compelled to reply to rude messages than I would to kind ones, as well. Now, I have this new system where I save nearly every kind message I get, respond to as many as I can, and ignore all of the rude ones. It has been wonderful.

For more of Gabi follow her on instagram or check out her Patreon