Stowell, Elena: - Elena Stowell is an award-winning author, former science teacher, and passionate Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner. When she isn't crafting stories, she is designing mixed-media illustrations. In her workspace, she is surrounded by paper scraps, dried paint, glue sticks, and the occasional broken toothpick, all part of her creative process. "Working in collage puts me in my happy place," she says, "even if it's a little messy."Elena is the author of Flowing with the Go: A Jiu-Jitsu Journey of the Soul and the children's book Frango & Chicken, both stories aboutovercoming obstacles and finding hope despite adversity. Her latest children's book, The Knotting Tree, celebrates a Brazilian family'screative tradition. As co-founder of the Carly Stowell Foundation and director of the JamminBJJ Give the Gift of a Gi program, sheworks tirelessly to make sports and music accessible to people of all ages around the world. Through her volunteer efforts, Elena helpsbreak down barriers, ensuring that children and adults alike have the opportunity to engage in meaningful activities.You can learn more about Elena and follow her work at www.elenastowell.comPrado Da Fonseca, Robert: - Robert Prado da Fonseca, a macrame artist from a small town in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, grew up surrounded by the natural beauty of trees, rivers, and animals. This environment instilled in him a deep appreciation for the simplicity and interconnectedness of life, teaching him respect for all living beings. His connection to nature is central to his work, as each knot in his macrame creations is a tribute to the animals and landscapes that inspire him. For Robert, nature is not only a home but a wise teacher whose lessons he strives to share through his art.Robert's journey with macrame began during a period of personal crisis, when he sought a way to express his emotions and find inner peace. The act of intertwining ropes and threads became a therapeutic practice, helping him heal and transform his pain into beauty. His creations, which often incorporate elements of his gaucho culture and semi-precious stones with personal meaning, soon captured the attention of his local community. Robert believes that macrame has the power to transform lives and give purpose, and he shares this belief by teaching others the art form that helped him overcome his own struggles.A resilient and passionate artist, Robert celebrates life, the lessons from his avó (grandmother), and his connection to the land and animals in every piece of macrame he creates. For him, art is a way to inspire others to respect and protect the planet, while also offering healing and self-expression.
