A Very Spooky La Sardina DIY Customization with Bananna Bones

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Halloween is perhaps one of the most fun times of year for DIYs. Every year, enthusiasts of the holiday love to get all sorts of crafty— creating their own decorations, costumes, and maybe even film cameras!

Anna Santaguida, New Jersey based designer, illustrator and master behind Bananna Bones, is here to share her latest customization of Lomography's La Sardina DIY camera, which was practically made for this kind of occasion.

This Halloween, we collaborated with Anna to create a cute & spooky to give away to a special member in our communities! Continue below to read her interview and get to know this mega-talented artist.

Hi Anna, welcome to Lomography Magazine! Can you please start off by telling us a bit about yourself?

Hi Lomography! I’m Anna Santaguida— designer and illustrator from the Garden State! I’m a Senior Graphic Designer at Victoria’s Secret by day and I run my own brand Bananna Bones by night. I went to the School of Visual Arts for illustration where I got my BFA, and have been making art ever since I could figure out how to hold a crayon. I come from a really artistic family where everyone is some type of artist - so I like to say it’s in my blood. If I’m not making art, which is 90% of my life, you can find me on my motorcycle bopping around the tri-state area with my moto friends.

How would you describe your style as an illustrator & designer, and how did you discover and develop it?

My style as an artist is really fun, playful and nostalgic. I pull inspiration from metal/punk culture, mixed with memories from childhood, mixed with motorcycles, mixed with Halloween and add a little dash of girl power in there. It’s bold and in your face but in a sweet way— you know what I mean? A perfect mix of tough but sweet. I guess that’s kind of my personality.

My style has certainly evolved over the years. It took me years to figure out my style, but I think over the past 10 years of Bananna Bones I’ve really developed my own style. My art has always been inspired by the things around me. I use my art as a self expression— so you kind of always know what’s going on with me by the art I make. If I’m sad, I illustrate about it. If I’m happy, I’m drawing about it. If I’m excited about Halloween— you bet I’m drawing funny pumpkins!

Tell us about the design you chose for the camera. What inspired it?

My goal with the camera design was for people to see the camera and say “Oh that’s Bananna Bones!” The design is heavily inspired by my new Halloween nail decals I came out with this year! The skull flower, the flaming skulls, the gummy worms, the eyeballs— these are all the classic Bananna Bones Halloween doodles. I also really wanted this camera to feel fun, bold and vibrant. Halloween is typically spooky and dark— but my favorite thing to do is create a fun juxtaposition. Scary but make it cute!

How was your experience painting on the La Sardina DIY? Is painting a camera any different from your usual customization work?

This was an absolute blast for me. I spend so much of my life on screens designing, and this was such a breath of fresh air. To be able to use my hands, mess up, redraw, paint over— I love this kind of stuff! I have been painting leather jackets and shoes for years, so this was similar to that kind of work. Just on a whole lot smaller scale.

I had to figure out the logistics of it as I prepped— what kind of paint is going to adhere to each part? How will I seal it? After some research, I figured out a plan and got myself a new set of paint markers, paint, sealant and I was ready to go! I knew what type of imagery I was going to paint on the camera, but I really figured the design out as I went. I think my work comes out best that way.

What was your starting point of becoming an artist?

I think I’ve always been an artist— I think it’s a Santaguida thing. Like I said, its in our blood! As a kid, creativity was oozing from my household— I really thank my parents for how much they inspired us to be creative. Instead of watching TV, my mom would give us coloring books. Instead of going to math class, I was hiding out in the art room doodling. So I’ve always considered myself an artist for as long as I remember.

I think going to art school back in 2007 really pushed me to develop my skills as an artist. After I graduated and I landed professional jobs as an artist, that’s where my “a-ha” moment was, where I was like “Oh… yup I'm an artist now. I'm in it for the long haul!”

What are you most inspired by?

Oh that’s a tough one! I’m so inspired by everything different daily. And I think it’s hard to just pick one thing. Lately, I’m really inspired graphic short stories and comics. I bought a bunch of them recently and I’m obsessed with all of the illustrations. I recently got “Mean Girls Club” by Ryan Heshka and it’s STUNNING. I also bought comics by Hellen Jo, Bu Er Miao and I’m in love with those illustrations!

If you could wear one Halloween costume for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Oh easy— a banana costume! I think it’s only fitting as Anna Banana. :)

And is there anything else you'd like to share with the Lomography community?

As a girl who can really only draw and paint— I’m always really inspired and blown away by photographers. I think photography is such a beautiful art form and wish I could take a picture half as good as so many of you! I have many photographer friends, and I’m always amazed by their work. Maybe in my next life I’ll be a photographer. :)


Thanks Anna for adding your special touch to the La Sardina DIY and sharing your results with the community! If you'd like to see more of her work, follow her on Instagram or check out her websites!

written by alexa_alexiades on 2024-10-29 #gear #people #art #customization #lasardinadiy

Mentioned Product

Lomography La Sardina - DIY

Lomography La Sardina - DIY

Let your creativity spill beyond your analogue photos with this unique customizable La Sardina camera.

2 Comments

  1. polaroidlove
    polaroidlove ·

    Love this camera!

  2. iyan
    iyan ·

    D.I.Y spooky ☠️

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