Meet Bia Dias | Artist & Marine Scientist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bia Dias and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bia, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am from a small town in the Brazilian Amazon region. I grew up in a surreal place surrounded by nature, and from a very young age, I always had this curiosity to learn more about our natural systems. My parents were strict, but they always incentivized my ideas and my pursue to be my own person, even when they did not understand me and my interests to the full. I spent my childhood camping, exploring the rivers and by the water. This led me to pursue a career in environmental conservation and marine science research.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Print the Wild emerged from my passion for communicating science to a broader audience. It started with quick sketches I would make during scientific conference presentations and post on my social media account. They were pretty much graphical summaries of the research or exciting topics I would listen to. Then, I started sharing my drawings of endangered species or species of high ecological concern, which I would make into postcards and send to my friends and family at the end of the year. A friend dear to my heart and CRAFt co-founder convinced me that I should apply to the festival and sell my art. I did it, and it was a big hit. Since last year, Print the Wild has been growing, from doing more festival and art markets to collaborations with iconic brands (such as AllTrails and Fjällräven).

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I know the question is favorite spots in the city, but since I live in the mountains, I would take a different itinerary. First, I would take people to Lyons. We could explore LaVern M. Johnson Park, go to Mainstage Brewery or the Rock garden for a little refreshment, get sandwiches at St. Vrain market, and head toward Rocky Mountain National Park. After the beautiful hikes at the park, I would take them to my favorite restaurant in Estes, Nepal’s Cafe, for an early dinner.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shout-out to the Community Roots Art Festival -CRAFt. CRAFt is a Colorado-based festival that supports and highlights the work of local Black, Indigenous, Brown, and self-identified creatives of color. I launched my art business, Print the Wild, at their festival last year, and I believe that without their support, that would not have been possible.

Website: https://www.biadias.com

Instagram: @biaocean_

Twitter: @biaocean

Image Credits
Profile picture (and picture with white top): Idi Camara, @therealuncleidi on Instagram
Print the wild sign Picture: Sierra Jeter, @liberated.visions on Instagram
Stand picture, backpack picture and picture of me with the backpack: Roddy Hyduk @roddyhydukstudio on Instagram