Atlanta according to Yoyo Ferro

Brazilian-born artist Yoyo Ferro came to Atlanta in 2010 “because of that ‘American Dream,’ y’all.” His illustrations are like eye candy — line drawings teeming with saturated colors and a playful sense of humor. Atlanta often informs his artwork, which is why we asked Ferro to create the custom map for Creative Loafing’s 2015-16 Atlanta City Guide. As I said in my editor’s note for this year’s issue, Ferro’s map “shows how jam-packed and busy the city is — and not only with our notorious traffic. It’s bright, bustling, wild, and a little tricky to define, just like Atlanta.” You can find Ferro on Instagram frequently snapping pictures with #weloveatl and at local neighborhood festivals selling his work. Here he offers some insight into the city that so often inspires him.

The first 3 words that come to mind when I think of Atlanta are love, peachtree, traffic.

Our balcony, overlooking Oakland Cemetery with the skyline in the background is my favorite view in Atlanta. Easy.

A King of Pops cart is my favorite place to go when it’s crazy hot.

Something I know about Atlanta that nobody else knows is how great the sunset is from the top of the Bank of America building.

People-watching on the streets is the best place to find inspiration in Atlanta

My favorite nature spot in Atlanta is Oakland Cemetery.

The Happenstance at the Earl is my favorite Atlanta event.

My favorite Atlanta building is the Bank of America Plaza.

Cabbagetown is my favorite neighborhood.

Minato Japanese Restaurant is the city’s best kept secret.

Please take me to Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse on my birthday.

The street art murals and the High Museum are the best places to see art in Atlanta.

Three Atlanta artists I follow are Kyle Brooks (@blackcattips), Barry Lee (@barrydraws), and HENSE (@hensethename).

Kristin Bowen (@kbo_photo) is my favorite living Atlantan.

How rare it is to find a native Atlantan is the weirdest thing about Atlanta. Once you find one, you find them all.

My favorite places to eat and drink too much are LottaFrutta and the Argosy.

Traffic is my biggest pet peeve about Atlanta. Everyone is always going to the same place at the same time.

Although this is a cliché, the Atlanta of the future includes improved public transportation (and more cowbell).

The best advice I could give an Atlanta visitor is to save enough time to check out the intown neighborhoods.