Heart by hand: Paper illustrator crafts intricate designs with an evocative pop of culture
November 29, 2023 | Nikki Overfelt Chifalu
Andrea Cira can trace the inspiration for her hand-crafted, colorful, paper illustrations back to her upbringing in Mexico, she shared.
Andrea Cira, ACira Studio
“You see a lot of things that are done by hand or by scratch,” she explained. “I’ve lived in different places in Mexico, so I got to see a few things from artisans. I always thought that was so cool that people could build things with their hands.”
“I think I tend to be more creative that way than if I just do like digital illustrations,” she continued. “Having this background from Mexico, I’m always bringing in colorful things and a lot of little details.”
Her direct inspiration for designs with paper — sold under the ACira Studio brand — came, however, from Cuban-American artist Elsa Mora, she noted.
“She used to do little scenes with paper and I always thought that was so beautiful,” she explained.
Cira studied industrial design before trying her hand as a maker; launching ACira Studio after moving to the United States.
“I’ve always been very interested in working with paper,” she said. “So I started doing a few things years ago, but it wasn’t until I moved here and I married my husband that I had free time to experiment with it a little bit more. I started with one thing and that thing led to another and I started gaining momentum.”
View this post on Instagram
About a month ago, Cira said, she decided to take the leap and concentrate full-time on her paper illustrations, which she sells online — both originals and prints — at various popups around the city, and at paraMi, a shop in Independence with items from Latinx makers.
“It’s challenging, but it’s my passion and what I’ve always loved to do,” she added.
Click here to shop ACira Studio.
A paper illustration created for Starbucks Mexico by ACira Studio
Cira — who was among the artists selected for the city-spanning Parade of Hearts in 2022 — also creates custom art pieces. Although it started with items like wedding and pet portraits, she said, her custom work has shifted to collaborating with companies on corporate illustrations. For example, she created a Rwandan coffee farm illustration for Starbucks Mexico, Dia de Muertos illustrations for Taco Naco KC, and a charcuterie board for a friend’s business.
“I wish I could have more projects like that because that was fun,” she noted. “I’m very open to commissions right now.”
Designed for the Curated KC brand, this piece by ACira Studio is a unique take on the classic charcuterie board.
La Bota by ACira Studio
One of her latest personal creative projects — Paper Lotería — especially evokes nostalgia for her home country. The purpose of the project, according to her website, is to reimagine every card from La Lotería, one of the most popular games in Mexico and a staple of the culture. Although it just started as way for her to build up her portfolio and form a more cohesive style, she shared, the project has become so much more.
“I just thought it would be cool to make one,” she explained, “but I’ve gotten a lot of attention from the Latino community, which is great because I think there’s not enough art for us, unfortunately. In the Midwest, especially, it’s still very little.”
“It has shifted to something that I feel like helps connect me with the Latino people and so it’s been pretty cool,” she continued.
Click here to check out more of Andrea Cira’s portfolio.
2023 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Enactus USA turns 50 in KC as local leaders urge: Give your network to an entrepreneur
A three-day expo featuring student-led innovation and entrepreneurship from across the nation found its home (and groove) “in the heart of the USA” this week, said Mikena Manspeaker, noting the campus of UMKC was the perfect fit for marking the 50th anniversary of Enactus United States. “Kansas City is just booming with entrepreneurial spirit and…
Streetwear-infused runway show hits 10 year-mark, building fashion family along the way
High fashion met heartfelt passion on the runway Sunday with the return of the The Kritiq Fashion Show — a celebration of creativity, entrepreneurship and community spirit that not even a global pandemic (or family pressures) could undress. “This is our 10th year,” said Mark Launiu, co-founder of The Kritiq, as well as the Kansas…
Goodwill’s ‘adult high school’ in KC just scored major funding wins (and hired its first leader)
A first-of-its kind adult high school in the region hit two big funding milestones this month, said organizers of the Excel Center, announcing six-figure financial contributions from the City of Kansas City, Missouri, and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, as well as a key hire. Led by Goodwill of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas (MoKan…
KC job fair explores how AI can be a tool for women job seekers, not another workforce threat
For women competing within today’s hiring landscape — an environment riddled with opportunities and challenges linked to artificial intelligence — it’s critical to master cutting-edge job application tools, said Erin Cole. “It’s about accessibility,” said Cole, chief development officer for Women’s Employment Network (WEN), a partner of the OneKC for Women alliance. “WEN is built…