When we first encountered the work of Vanessa Cunto, the immediate reaction was disbelief—was this truly a drawing and not a photograph? Her art blurs reality -vs- art, inviting inspection, and rewarding curiosity with astounding precision. Every element, from the subtlest highlight to the most delicate shift in tone, reflects an almost microscopic attention to detail. Her compositions are not created through shortcuts or digital manipulation, but through disciplined technique, patience, and a mind trained to observe what others overlook.
What makes her work remarkable is the harmony between technical execution and emotional presence. Her refined craftsmanship is evident, each piece feels alive, breathing with meaning and intention. Vanessa’s artistic talent is not merely physical skill; it is a deep intellectual practice, an ability to translate reality with striking clarity. Her art challenges us to slow down, look longer, and recognize that mastery still exists.
“For the past 15 years, I’ve worked as an Art Director, Illustrator, and Stylist, turning concepts into captivating visual experiences across mood, space, and object.
My hybrid background in fine art and commercial design shaped the way I think about creativity: not as one fixed discipline, but as a process of turning concepts into compelling visual language. This training lets me easily blend the depth of classical thinking with the precision of commercial execution, so the work is always conceptually clear and beautifully realized for the client.
I’m here to ensure that every visual element I create builds meaning and tells a story that is as sophisticated as it is memorable. “
Background and Personal History?
I’m a first-generation American, with my father immigrating from Italy and my mother from Venezuela. I grew up in South Florida, and my parents were always incredibly supportive of all my artistic endeavors. They bought me art supplies, let me paint murals in the house and proudly hung my work on the walls throughout the years. I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Florida- I loved the program and it’s emphasis on working across all different kinds of mediums. I moved here to St. Pete in 2019 after spending a couple of years working in New York. I’ve truly settled into this city as my home and am committed to participating in and adding to the local culture.
Describe your art “niche” for us.
My work investigates the necessary reconciliation between human-built systems and the unyielding laws of the natural world through two distinct series: one critiquing capitalist consumption using Dutch still life symbolism, the other envisioning an ethical digital future through the lens of Y2K futurism. Through the focused rendering of graphite and the strategic use of negative space, I examine our current cultural disconnect, proposing a path toward a cooperative, biosphere-informed future.
What formal training do you have, or are you self-taught?
My formal training at UF was pretty traditional, combining courses on strict technical execution with others focused on refining conceptual depth. Going through critiques in that formal setting was invaluable; it built a muscle I still use daily. When starting a new piece, I filter through choices on how I would defend them in a critique. If I don’t have a clear answer for certain elements, I push the piece until every detail is intentional.
However, the techniques for my recent work in graphite are primarily self-taught, requiring a lot of trial and error. A major learning curve was how different papers absorb the graphite, and finding the right surface for my vision. The tools—specifically graphite powder and brushes—allowed me to have a painterly approach to the work, which is why I’ve been successful in this medium. My strength isn’t necessarily linework, but I excel at isolating and then recreating the complex shapes from my reference photos. I also utilize specific lighting in my original photography to guarantee that the objects will translate with a sense of fullness and depth through shadows once they are rendered on the paper.
How does art fit into your professional life? Do you make a living as an artist?
Art has consistently been at the center of my professional life. I learned quickly that an arts degree is profoundly versatile because it simultaneously hones essential skills like critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. This adaptability allows for advancement in nearly any professional avenue.
Most of my career was spent in video production, where I specialized as a food stylist. But my success there had nothing to do with cooking; rather, it was my artistic ability to view food as a purely sculptural medium- for advertising, the visual presentation was the only end goal. Additionally, I’ve applied my conceptual thinking to carry out client briefs. At its core, all this work is identical: taking research and using it to inform a visual idea that perfectly communicates a concept.
Today, I’m shifting my focus to my fine art practice, using my work experience gained from my production career to help manage and grow the business side of being an artist.
How do you market your art/services?
I market my art and services through a combination of gallery exhibitions and an online presence, primarily on Instagram. The return from sharing on social media has been surprisingly positive, even without a massive following. It proves that you never know who your work will reach- I had one instance where a single person discovered my profile and bought five drawings, which was a great validation.
To keep my momentum and prevent discouragement from the often-frustrating algorithm, I maintain the mindset of just putting the work out there; the goal is to share my art, not let it sit isolated in my studio. To diversify my reach this year, I also partnered with the online gallery, Midnight. I completed two separate series releases with them, which was a great process for creating targeted work for their specific collector base and releasing it all at once.
What are your personal and professional goals?
My long-term goal is to build a studio that creates objects as companions for the home—crafted with care, rooted in nature, and guided by a strong philosophical backbone. Inspired by William Morris, I believe the home should be filled with things that shape our days, guide our attention, and ground us in beauty. •
Transition to the new series:
“Though the visual language moves from the 17th-century studio to the early 2000s aesthetic, the core investigation remains constant: Where have human systems failed to reconcile with the immutable wisdom of nature? This inquiry leads directly to the series exploring the gap between the promise of Y2K utopia and the current reality of our online existence. My new drawing series starts as digital renderings of chrome objects, borrowed from historical ornamental design for its reference to nature and timeless, yet often underappreciated, craft.” – Vanessa
