MEXTURES HIGHLIGHT: @ADILCASSO
Today we bring you work from the wonderful mind of Adil Fernandes (@adilcasso)! Adil's imagery ranges from surreal composites to flawless double exposure portraits and we're stoked to be able to share both his art and his story here. Read along and enjoy!
My parents labelled me as Adil Asad Fernandes. Born in a loving and humble family of 6 kids (5 boys and 1 girl). I'm the first born, so yah. I reside far, far, far, far away in Africa. The ever beautiful, Kenya. A country known for its 8th wonder of the world and of course the best marathon runners! But i’m nowhere near an athlete.
WHAT WERE YOU LIKE IN HIGH SCHOOL?
Chilled and crazy (on the low key). Though I was a school prefect throughout my academic year. Don't judge! This worked to my advantage as I'd get away with the few rules that I broke. I was also a part of the soccer team and played as a right winger.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
That's easy. I want to be a fetus..... anyway.... I just want to always be successful, happy and content with all that I do. Thats always my goal; to be happy.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE COMFORT FOOD?
Steamed rice and coconut beans with salad. Anytime. Any day.
WHAT IS YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL?
My fiancée says Dragon. I actually don't know. But I'd say a bear.
WHAT TWO CELEBRITIES WOULD YOU CHOOSE TO BE YOUR PARENTS?
My parents are my role models. They are my everything. What I am today is because of them. They are all I look up to!
WHAT'S THE MOST INTERESTING THING ABOUT YOU THAT WE WOULDN'T LEARN FROM INSTAGRAM?
That's a good question. I guess i'd say that I'm the best FIFA Gamer in my Township.
WHAT WEBSITE DO YOU VISIT THE MOST?
Has to be Youtube. 100%!
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INTO PHOTOGRAPHY AND DESIGN?
With photography, back in my high school days. I went deep into understanding photography through 500px. I was fascinated by the depth of creativity that was out there. I was unable to afford a DSLR at that time and that inspired me to create my own. Thus, I got into design. I started out small, redesigning images through my Android phone at that time. I'd mostly use different FFA images that were available for download on various pages on Instagram. I slowly started growing in followers and getting features from different pages and this pushed me to create more and more. Then I shifted to iOS and discovered the Mextures app. All of my edits passed through the Mextures app which gave them a unique tone that not many apps can achieve. It was hard at first to use it, but slowly I familiarized myself with the app and started creating my own formulas.
HOW HAS SOCIAL MEDIA LIKE INSTAGRAM PLAYED A ROLE IN YOUR WORK?
Instagram mostly has played a huge role - through motivation of course and discovering new editing techniques. I've collaborated with various artists before with different styles from mine and this also pushed my creativity to new heights.
IS THERE ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR THAT YOU HOPE TO COMMUNICATE THROUGH YOUR WORK?
It depends on the mood of the pic and my mood at the particular time i'm editing. For a dark theme, I seek out dark tones, heavy textures and vice versa.
HOW DO YOU GENERALLY APPROACH YOUR EDITING PROCESS?
I have a variety of apps that I always use. My most common apps are the Union app (if I’m combining images togethers), Lightroom CC, and Mextures.
These are my favorite apps. Usually I'll start with Union then pass it through Mextures to set a unique color tone, then lastly finish with Lightroom CC playing around with the curves for that extra punch.
HOW DO YOU USE MEXTURES IN THAT PROCESS?
Mexures is my CORE foundation for setting the TONES of all my edits. I have my own formulas which I have created from previous edits but I'll rarely re-use a formula. I always challenge myself to try and come up with something different for each edit as the capabilities of Mextures is only limited by one's creativity. Just from combining different overlays together and setting the blending modes correctly, I achieve my desired look. It's just like magic.
My biggest challenge is always when to stop. Just with one edit, I can come up with 3 different formulas to choose from.
CAN YOU SHARE A COUPLE OF YOUR FAVORITE FORMULAS?
I wouldn't say I have a favorite formulas. I come up with different formulas for each edit I do. I don't like come up with the same style for two different edits. That's why my gallery is mixed up with dark tones to mixing compounding colors together.
XLDBHLV - With this formula I wanted to create something retro. With just warm, dark colors and solid textures.
GNZMNZX : This one is another landscape inspired formula.
WHAT MAKES MEXTURES A VITAL PIECE OF YOUR EDITING PROCESS?
As I previously mentioned, Mextures is the CORE foundation of my edits. It's the best thing since sliced bread.
From this app, I can determine the mood of edits easily and achieve a unique look that I know is only mine. For this reason I value this app.
PICK TWO OF YOUR FAVORITE PIECES. WHAT IS IT ABOUT THOSE PIECES THAT MAKES THEM STAND OUT TO YOU?
Can I pick all of them? I love all my edits equally, but for this purpose I will choose.
The reason I chose this piece in particular is because of the reaction it received. It was massive. Then secondly, I forgot to save the formula, so you can imagine I lost everything. Until today I try and make it but I can't achieve it. I lost all of the ingredients!
This second piece stands out to me as I was just familiarizing myself with the Mextures app when I cooked up this artwork. It will always be special to me.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO CREATE MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE?
My inspiration spectrum is broad. It can range from a piece of art I have seen, from the music I listen to, to a movie I have seen.
IF YOU COULD STEAL CREDIT FOR ONE INSTAGRAM FEED WHOSE WOULD IT BE?
That's a good one. Victoria Siemer (@witchoria). She's one of the reason I started editing. Her feed is super dope. She's always been an inspiration and always be.
WHO ARE THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE MOST INSPIRED YOUR WORK?
That's an endless list. But I draw my inspiration from the likes of @witchoria, @nak_bali_, @lvnatikk, @emmasancez, @photified and @n.o.x.x.
See more of Adil's work here!
