ABOUT ME | António Digital Arts

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY from the Beginning to the Present

I grew up in a challenging socioeconomic environment, where I developed resilience, autonomy, and a strong ability to adapt from an early age. The artistic dimension was a fundamental pillar in my personal development — drawing and music were essential tools in shaping my identity and creative thinking.

During adolescence, I engaged with diverse social and cultural contexts, always maintaining a balanced and unifying attitude. I developed independent thinking, an interest in self-knowledge, and the ability for critical reflection.

I completed my studies at the age of 18 and began training in Drawing (Fine Arts), which was later interrupted due to financial constraints arising from the economic climate at the time. I emigrated to the United Kingdom in 2011.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE – UNITED KINGDOM

Rural Hotel – Ravenstone Lodge, Lake District Region

Funções desempenhadas durnate 6 messes:

Preparation and service of breakfast
Housekeeping
Bar and dinner service
Management of multiple tasks in a demanding environment
This was my first international professional experience, which strengthened my autonomy, sense of responsibility, and ability to adapt to new cultural contexts.

Hotel – Blunsdon House Hotel (formerly Best Western), Swindon

Roles performed over 4 years:

Commis Chef – Food preparation and cooking
Chef de Partie – Management of a designated kitchen section
Night Auditor – Night-time administrative and front office duties
Skills Developed:
- Ability to work under pressure
- Organisation and time management
- Teamwork within a multicultural environment
- Compliance with Food Hygiene and Safety standards
- Progressive growth in roles and responsibilities

Durante este período concluí formação em:

Higiene e Segurança no Trabalho
Preparação e Segurança Alimentar

This phase was instrumental in the development of my professional maturity, emotional resilience, and ability to overcome challenges.

Herdade do Freixo do Meio – Organic and Agroforestry Production (2016 – Present)

(Over 5 years at the estate | ~6 years connected to the Lisbon store at Mercado da Ribeira)

I initially joined the Lisbon store team, performing grocery and restaurant support roles at Mercado da Ribeira. Later, I was invited to join the estate team, where I followed a multidisciplinary path in food production, organic farming, and artisanal baking.

Main Roles and Responsibilities:

Food Production & Processing

Cook and support in processing plant-based products
Specialization in acorn transformation (flour, cakes, cookies, fermentations, and infusions)
Responsible for the entire line of acorn-based products

Artisanal Baking

Development of recipes and natural fermentation processes
Hands-on training with local producers and internship in Spain
Regular production of organic artisanal bread
Conducting workshops on bread and acorn-based products

Organic Farming & Agroforestry

Agricultural and agroforestry operator
Installation of irrigation systems
Organic production and crop consociations
Construction of fences and maintenance of infrastructure
Animal husbandry

Image and comunication

Support in CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) basket management
Collaboration with the online store
Creation of graphical content for website and social media.

Knowledge and Skills Consolidated:

Agroecology
Nutrition
Sustainability
High-value artisanal production

This was a deeply formative experience, integrating production, creativity, community engagement, and ecological vision.

Entrepreneurial Project – Natural Flow (Organic Bakery) – 2021

With the support of Padaria Biológica Miolo, I founded my own project focused on the production of organic bread and products. The core of the project was the development of frozen and partially baked breads for major retail chains.

Responsibilities:

Full management of production
Recipe development (white bread, spelt wholegrain, turmeric, traditional cakes such as broas and Bolo Rei, among others)
Implementation of HACCP
Commercial management and partnerships
Marketing and communication (website and social media management)
Team coordination (production and distribution)

Commercial Partnerships Established:

Jumbo
Celeiro

The project lasted approximately one year and represented the achievement of a personal entrepreneurial goal, allowing me to develop solid skills in management, leadership, strategic thinking, and ecological vision.

Digital & E-commerce – Sintra – 2022 to Present

I later transitioned to the digital field, focusing on marketing and e-commerce. I currently perform cross-functional roles in a sportswear manufacturing company.

Key Skills Developed:

E-commerce & Platforms

Development and management of Shopify stores
Creation and management of websites in WordPress

Digital Marketing

Management of paid advertising campaigns
Email marketing
Creation of promotional campaigns
Content strategy

Design & Content

Image and video editing
Creation of graphic content
Illustration
Social media management

Operations

Order management
Customer service

This stage allowed me to acquire solid skills in digital communication, technical versatility, and operational autonomy.

Fermenting bread - Naturalflow

Photo from 2017 at Herdade do Freixo do Meio

Suberstudio Project – Artistic Project

In partnership with Herdade do Freixo do Meio, I developed creative works for the estate’s Interpretive Center as part of my artistic project, Suberstudio.

The work focused on creating visual and conceptual content that bridges megalithic heritage, ancestral symbolism, and contemporary perspectives. The approach was based on symbolic research, spirituality connected to the territory, and the interpretation of natural cycles—themes that resonate closely with my personal and artistic journey.

The projects included graphic development, illustration, and creative contributions such as stories, games, and interpretive materials, reinforcing the visual identity and narrative of the space. The goal was to translate the archetypal and ritual dimension of the Montado into an accessible, sensitive, and visually coherent language for schools and visiting children.

This work consolidated the symbolic dimension of Suberstudio, intersecting art, territory, ancestral memory, and contemporary thought.

The arts drawing and music, formed the foundation.

Drawings and illustrations in pencil, pen, pastel, and watercolor.

Olive Harvest – Castilla-La Mancha, December 2024

New Olive Grove Maintenance – Castilla-La Mancha, April 2024

Frozen Bread – Wheat, Mixed Grains, and Carob – Naturalflow

Naturalflow Factory – 2021, Sintra

ESTE SOU EU

Estou inquieto. Nunca me senti totalmente confortável com uma vida comum ou previsível. Existe em mim uma necessidade constante de evolução, de mudança, de superação. Não me satisfaz simplesmente existir e preciso sentir movimento.

A criatividade e a adaptabilidade não são apenas habilidades minhas. São a minha essência. Ajusto-me, reinvento-me, procuro novas formas de ver as coisas. Quando algo não resulta, não fico parado. Transformo tensão em reflexão, frustração em ação.

Sou conhecido por alguns como carismático. Quando estou presente, consigo comunicar, motivar, envolver. Tenho intensidade, energia, visão. Há momentos em que lidero naturalmente, em que a minha presença é forte.

Mas outros veem-me como um “bicho do mato”. Reservado. Silencioso. Distante. E também é verdade. Preciso de espaço. Preciso de recolhimento. Não gosto de exposição constante nem das superficialidades que me rodeiem. Sou seletivo com quem me abro estou atento ao ambiente quem cerco.

Então Essa dualidade faz parte de mim, Posso ser expansivo e profundamente introspectivo. Posso liderar e escolher estar sozinho. Posso ser intenso socialmente e precisar de isolamento para recuperar.

A minha mente raramente desliga. A falta de sono é reflexo dessa atividade interna constante. Acordo a meio da noite com pensamentos ativos, como se estivesse sempre a processar algo. O descanso é difícil quando a mente está sempre em construção... Mas esse é o clamor que vem das profundezas da minha essência...

Tenho um forte desejo de independência. Não quero viver uma vida imposta. Quero criar a minha própria narrativa não dos outros. Isso gera tensão e conflito interno que tenho tudo copnstantemente todas as as noites, porque a visão que tenho de mim é maior do que a realidade atual onde estou...

Sou exigente comigo. No desporto e na vida. Não corro apenas por correr corro para evoluir. Quando não melhoro, não vejo apenas números; sinto que falhei comigo. Porque para mim, crescer não é opcional, No fundo, sou alguém em transformação constante fisica mental e espiritual, a minha trasnformação é mais importante que tudo o resto que me rodeia.

Sou original na minha maneira de ser ,não sigo multidão, não vivo de cópias e não me curvo a padrões.Tenho opinião própria, postura firme e amor-próprio suficiente para não idolatrar ninguém, pois assim fui educado. Tenho um orgulho do tamanho do mundo.

Se for para colocar alguém num posição de destaque, que seja o homem que eu me torno todos os dias. Eu erro, aprendo, cresço e evoluo mas nunca deixei de ser autêntico e fiel aos meus princípios, Não preciso diminuir ninguém para brilhar, porque minha luz já nasce de dentro.