For Tarsila Schubert, becoming a multidisciplinary artist was entirely natural: her father named her after Brazilian artist Tarsila do Amaral and taught her about the works of surrealist artists, her grandmother was a painter, and she grew up experimenting with acrylics, oils, and whatever materials she could get her hands on. Now, Schubert embraces her Brazilian heritage in her work, through bold pieces that all hold a deeper meaning; her murals, installations, street art, canvases, and digital designs feature abstract shapes that, together, form human figures, eyes and a collision of tropical colors that Brazilian art is known and loved for.

It makes sense why she's the artist-in-residence again at The Surf Lodge, the buzzy Montauk hotspot run by hospitality queen Jayma Cardoso. Cardoso, a fellow Brazilian, found Schubert's work online four years ago and cold-called her, asking if she'd create art for The Surf Lodge. "I'd never been there before, and I had no idea what I was walking into, but I really admired The Surf Lodge's concept, so I thought, why not?" says Schubert. "I got on a plane, and that spontaneous 'yes' turned into four years of creating art together." Her latest creation for The Surf Lodge is a pastel-hued installation in the restaurant that stretches from the walls to the ceiling with cloud-like, organic shapes.

With summer in full thing and the majority of us daydreaming about weekend getaways out east, we caught up with Tarsila Schubert to chat about her art-filled upbringing, creating from feeling, and her advice to budding artists.

What was your first introduction to art?

"Art has always been part of my life. My father, who passed away, loved art and knew a lot about it. He actually named me after the Brazilian modernist artist Tarsila do Amaral. My grandmother is a classical realist painter, and my uncle is a musician, so I grew up in a family where creating was just part of everyday life.

My grandmother taught me how to paint when I was very young. I never studied art formally or went to art school. I learned by watching, practicing, and trusting my intuition, and I still work that way today."

Which artist was your first inspiration?

"When I was a child, my father gave me books of Hieronymus Bosch and Salvador Dalí. Seeing those paintings completely opened my mind. I grew up in a small town in Brazil, so I didn't have access to museums or galleries. Books were my way of discovering art, but I was equally inspired by what was around me every day, nature, animals, people, fruit, colors, and my own emotions. That's still where most of my ideas come from. Dreams, feelings, and everyday life are a constant source of inspiration. I also believe creativity comes from practice. I have a deal with myself that I need to create something every day, even if it's just writing one sentence or making a quick sketch. Creating is part of taking care of my mind."

Lua de Andrade

When did you first know you were going to be an artist?

"There wasn't a specific moment because I've been making things for as long as I can remember. I started with drawings and paintings using whatever materials I had acrylics, oils, anything I could find. I was always experimenting and inventing new ways of making things. I've also made a living from my work since I was very young, so creating has always been connected to my everyday life. My mind is constantly looking for ideas, solutions, and different ways of working because that's how I live. Over time I realized this wasn't just something I enjoyed—it had simply become the way I move through the world."

In what ways is your Brazilian heritage reflected in your work?

"Brazil is naturally part of everything I create. The colors, the warmth, the freedom, the relationship with nature, they're all part of my visual language. My family also moved constantly while I was growing up. We lived by the beach, in the Pantanal, near the Bolivian border, in Chile… we were almost like nomads. Looking back, I think constantly adapting to different landscapes and cultures shaped the way I see the world. It taught me to observe, to stay curious, and to find beauty in very different places."

Gilberto Cunha

Do different forms of art provide you with different feelings?

"Absolutely. Every idea asks for something different. Sometimes a painting is enough because it creates a quiet, personal connection. Other times I want people to physically step inside the work, which is why I create immersive installations. Murals have a completely different energy because they become part of a community and people's everyday lives. For me, the medium is never the starting point—the feeling is. I simply choose the language that can best express the idea."

What is it like to create art for an iconic institution like The Surf Lodge?

"I really admire Jayma's vision, and I think we naturally understand each other's creative process. Our collaborations feel very genuine we enjoy the process just as much as the final result, and the ideas always evolve organically."

Gilberto Cunha

What was the inspiration behind the Surf Lodge residency installation?

"The Surf Lodge already has such a strong identity and energy. Throughout the season, people from all over the world come together there artists, musicians, surfers, creatives. There's always this feeling of celebration, connection, and movement. I wanted the installation to respond to that energy. At the same time, I wanted people to feel instantly welcomed the moment they walked into the space. The flowing shapes and sunset-inspired colors transform the dining room into an immersive experience that feels warm, joyful, and connected, almost like stepping into a living sunset."

Does creating art every feel scary?

"Yes, but not because I'm afraid of failing. It's more like that feeling you get when you're about to do something you've never done before. There's a little uncertainty, but there's also excitement. I actually enjoy that feeling because it usually means I'm learning something new."

Lua de Andrade

What's the biggest misconception about being an artist?

"That it's all about inspiration…. For me, it's much more about consistency. Inspiration comes and goes, but showing up every day, staying curious, and continuing to make things—that's what really builds a body of work. Inspiration has a life of its own. It arrives when it wants to, almost like a quick visitor passing through your mind. To notice it, your mind has to be calm, open, and almost distracted."

What advice would you give to someone interested in expressing themselves through art?

"Don't wait until you feel ready. Just start. Make things, stay curious, and don't be afraid to try ideas that might not work. I do believe some people are naturally drawn to creativity, but no matter how much talent you have, you still have to nurture it. The more you create, the more you discover your own voice. And most importantly, don't take it too seriously. Enjoy the process and have fun with it!"