The Journal
17 / 04 / 2025
It All Begins With Stillness
A conversation with artist Vera Amiel
For this Journal Entry, our Founder Penelope speaks with artist Vera Amiel, whose beautiful black ink drawings capture the quiet strength and everyday moments of womanhood. Now based in North Yorkshire, Vera draws inspiration from stillness, movement, and the stories held in simple gestures. After discovering Moma Hilo, she created a stunning piece inspired by our Augusta Dress—launching later this summer. In this interview, she shares her creative journey, what inspires her, and the women who have shaped her work.
"The body alone can tell profound stories through posture and gesture"
Penelope: Vera, Where do you create your work, and what places or moments inspire your creativity the most?
Vera: I’m a Portugal-born artist, now based for several years in North Yorkshire. After experiencing the fast-paced life of Lisbon and then London, a life-changing event shifted my perspective. It opened my eyes to the poetic beauty of stillness and presence that surrounds me in this idyllic place. My inspiration is drawn from body movement and fleeting moments – the subtle language of gestures and the emotions they quietly carry.
Penelope: Much of your work explores themes of womanhood. Can you share what draws you to this and how it translates into your art?
Vera: It all begins with stillness.
Learning to read that stillness allowed me to rediscover myself – primarily as a woman – and reconnect with the many selves I contain. This inward journey led me to observe women more closely, recognising how the body alone can tell profound stories through posture and gesture.
In my work, I highlight these quiet narratives.
By focusing on hands and body language, and often omitting faces, I aim to remove distraction and emphasise the silent power held within the form. Each piece becomes a reflection of identity, presence, and the subtle strength of womanhood.
Penelope: Are there any women, past or present, who have deeply inspired your work?
Vera: I've reached a stage in my life where the memory of the woman I once observed with awe as a child has come into sharper focus.
My mother was a true yuppie of the 80’s - tailored suits, an unshakable drive to succeed, and a sense of femininity she marked with pearls, silk scarves. She had fun with clothes, mixing texture with playfulness. Watching her I always felt this glowing pride, as if I was witnessing something sacred and unstoppable.
Now, the women I work with echo that same strength. They stand firm, unapologetically themselves in their many selves. I see them – and I see parts of myself in them.
"we are where we are today because of the other chapters of life that have shaped us"
Penelope: Your signature monochromatic palette is striking and I LOVE it. What is it about working in black and white that speaks to you?
Vera: Thank you! My first attraction to black began with clothing in my early teens in the 90’s—there was something effortlessly cool and bold about it. Around the same time, I found myself drawn to black and white photography. Without the distraction of colour, I feel it invites the viewer to focus on the finer details—like the deep lines on an elderly face, each wrinkle whispering a story of a life fully lived.
That, to me, is fascinating. In my drawings, I try to capture that same essence. There's also an undeniable, timeless elegance to black—it's simply unbeatable. What’s not to love?
Penelope: How did your journey as an artist begin? Were there pivotal moments that shaped your creative path?
Vera: I’ve always been drawn to art, especially photography, but life was always too busy to pursue it. Five years ago, I was diagnosed with a chronic illness that forced me to slow down. While it could be seen as just a challenge, it released me into a creative life that I never imagined. This unexpected turn became the start of an incredible self-taught artistic journey that is now at the core of my existence.
As I found my place in this new chapter, I began creating textile art, initially focusing on still life subjects. In recent years, my work has evolved to explore womanhood, and it’s now where my passion lies.
Penelope: What does a typical day in your studio look like? Do you have any rituals that help you get into a creative flow?
Vera: A typical creative day is never complete without the right soundtrack. Music is not merely background noise; it sustains the rhythm of my work and, at times, even steers the flow of what I translate onto the paper. However, before I can dive in, I always take a few moments in silence, gazing out my window, to separate myself from the ordinary noise of daily life. It’s in those moments of stillness that I prepare to immerse myself fully, and once I do, that’s when the ink starts to flow onto the paper.
"The true essence of art lies in the bonds we form and the shared journeys we embark on"
Penelope: Your recent piece based on the Moma Hilo Augusta Dress is stunning… I was blown away when I saw it. What was your process in translating a garment into an artwork?
Vera: I fell in love with Moma Hilo the moment I saw the Margaret Blazer, and I immediately felt such a strong connection to the brand. Everything clicked when you explained the ethos behind the name. I realised then that Moma Hilo goes beyond just clothes—it has soul. The passion behind it, in my opinion, makes any woman wearing any piece feel truly empowered.
I was especially blown away by the empowering statement made through the Augusta Dress. To me, it’s a dress that speaks to every woman, no matter her background or where she is in life. That’s why I wanted to highlight this message through my artwork, focusing on the dress itself, rather than the body that wears it, because whoever looks at this dress will feel confident and beautiful.
Penelope: That means so much, Vera — thank you. The way you saw and captured the spirit of the Augusta Dress feels incredibly special (shown at the end of this piece).
Memory and emotion seem to be woven into your pieces. Is nostalgia something that influences your art?
Vera: Yes, you’re right. Nostalgia is present in my work, not as a sometimes misunderstood interpretation of the word, as a sad emotion - but more as a tribute and appreciation for how far we've come. It's a celebration of the fact that we are where we are today because of the other chapters of life that have shaped us. That feeling can be translated in so many ways, and in my case, I hope I am doing it through my art.
Penelope: What do you hope people feel when they experience your work?
Vera: I hope viewers can see beyond the lines and black ink. It would be incredibly satisfying if those who look at my work can experience the same connection I have with it—giving the pieces their own names and stories, seeing their own experiences reflected, or even feeling free to create a thousand different narratives. We're not defined by a single interpretation, so there are no boundaries to the imagination.
Penelope: If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Vera: Through the years, my answer has evolved, and now, whenever I’m asked, I’m delighted to share how much I love collaborating with incredible women artists across various fields, like you, Penelope and Moma Hilo. I’ve been fortunate to naturally connect with them—women whose creativity, energy, and perspectives resonate deeply with my own - It’s a beautiful thing, this unspoken magnetism that draws us together, where we understand each other’s artistic language and see the world through similar lenses. I don’t want to fall into the cliché of mentioning one of the greats of art, but instead, I celebrate the connections that feel so personal and genuine. It’s a reminder that the true essence of art lies in the bonds we form and the shared journeys we embark on.
Penelope: What’s next for you? Are there any upcoming projects you’re excited about?
Vera: This year, as a visual artist, I will continue to work on my 'She,Poised.' series of originals, which explores the essence of womanhood. I also plan to devote more time to making my original artworks available as prints, making them more accessible.
Collaborating with you has shown me how much I enjoy interpreting other artists' work through my drawing style, and I’m excited to see where this creative path will lead me.
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