Marivaldo Barbosa dos Santos, better known as P’stana, was born in Ibirataia, interior of the state of Bahia. He began painting when he was 12 years old. He lived with his family in a farm with abundant fruit trees, which are an inspiration in his paintings today. The fruit images bring him closer to his youth, when he used to draw them on the walls and sidewalks of his family’s house.

The family moved to Salvador, the state capital, where the children could have a better education. Marivaldo studied architecture drawing and began his career at an energy supply company making illustrations for technical files. He also studied Fine Art and Drawing at the Federal University of Bahia.

Today he continues to live in Salvador. He illustrates books, makes theater sceneries and has even acted in some of the plays.