From Engines to Graphite: My Artistic Journey Inspired by Ayrton Senna
At Salracing, we celebrate the passion and dedication that drives artists like Fabio Gonçalves de Arruda. Fabio, a former car mechanic, transitioned into the realm of realism, driven by his love for motorsport and admiration for Ayrton Senna. His meticulously crafted artwork, infused with respect, has captivated audiences globally, and we are honored to share his remarkable journey.
“In 2020, I decided it was time to turn my passion for art into a career. I had always drawn, even as a child, but that year I felt that my skills had matured enough to dedicate myself fully to realistic art. I left my former career as a car mechanic and immersed myself in graphite pencil drawing, with a strong focus on continually refining my technique and style in realism. The journey wasn’t easy, but each line and detail I perfected led me to achieve a level of recognition I had never imagined. In April 2024, I reached over 20 million views on my Instagram reels – a milestone that showed me how far my art could go. By then, I realized that since 2020, my work had already spread to five continents in the world.”
“My style transition also had its own journey. I started drawing manga at the age of seven and continued until I was twelve, but when I discovered realism, I fell in love with its depth and the technical challenges it brings. Since then, realism has become my true calling, and my focus is increasingly directed toward achieving results that impress and move both myself and my audience.”
“My interest in Formula 1 is a passion I share with my father. As car mechanics, we were always surrounded by engines and speed, and many weekends we gathered to watch races together. Through him, motorsport became part of my life, first in my former profession as a car mechanic, and now as a hobby. I've always had a special admiration for Ayrton Senna. To me, he is a true hero, someone who represents strength, courage, and determination. Senna wasn’t just an icon on the track but a symbol of victory that inspires millions – and I’m one of those admirers.”
“Inspired by Senna and his journey, I decided he would be the central figure of one of my most special works. Creating the "Ayrton Senna" piece was profoundly meaningful to me, and choosing the ideal scene to depict him was my greatest challenge, as I needed to find an image that captured his essence and focus during races. I wanted anyone looking at this piece to feel that. To achieve this, I used high-quality materials: 190 GSM paper and pencils in intermediate tones, ideal for the contrast I wanted. This process took two months of intense dedication, with around 184 hours of work, where every line was adjusted to achieve the desired result.”
“The public’s response was overwhelming. The “Ayrton Senna” piece reached over 271,000 views on Instagram reels alone – I was incredibly happy to see the admiration people showed. This visibility connected me with people who are equally passionate about Formula 1 and Senna’s legacy. Additionally, the piece was sold in just three days of exhibition and is now in Texas, United States.”
“Since then, many people have reached out, some to offer congratulations and others interested in purchasing one of my works. Although “Ayrton Senna” is a unique piece, I am already planning future creations, always maintaining my dedication to originality and respecting the story behind each figure I choose to depict.”
“The Senna piece is not just a representation of the man he was, but a tribute to his essence and the lasting impact he has on me and so many others. Every detail was carefully thought out and drawn with this respect and admiration – and I hope everyone who sees it feels a bit of that inspiration.”
Fabio Gonçalves de Arruda
Discover the art of Fabio Gonçalves de Arruda, where passion meets precision. From capturing the essence of Ayrton Senna to refining the details of realism, explore his journey and works at fabiodesenhando.com.br.
