Jerome Castro - Hellofreaks
Age: 35
Email: hello@hellofreaks.com
Website: www.hellofreaks.com

1. What type of medium do you work with and explain how you use it? (Paint, design, photography, collage)
As a graphic designer, my area of work goes from illustration to logo design, typography, advertising, graphic design and more. I work mainly using a computer but most of it starts with a pencil and a piece of paper. And a brain of course! I used to paint on canvas when I was younger and still in art school. I quite left that on the side for too long when started using the computer but I’m coming back to this now. I guess I miss the “physical” approach of art (dirty hands & messy room :). As well as drawing. I started an online sketchbook where i post every day a new drawing fresh from the day. I’m in a period where i want to experiment new stuff, mixing mediums such as collage, painting, drawing, screen prints and also getting more involved into custom toys… Let’s see what comes out !

2. What was your main interest in producing this artwork, or is there a statement you wanted to convey?
I think that everyone have something to say. Some can’t but some have the opportunity to shout, with their words, their images or by action. I went into illustration and design to express myself. Bur i don’t think i have any statement to convey or special message to transmit.

My work stands more like my own vision of the world around, from the past to today and future. A visual testimony of my various influences, all mixed together to get something new I hope,  that I do in a very selfish way, for my own entertainment and well, that’s great if people like it too. I also use a lot of words, expressions or “clichés”, using French, English, Spanish, all together, so i think the humouristic part of my work, which is an important part, comes from here.

3. Tell us about your creative process, do you have any rituals, routines you follow? How does your artwork come together? (Do you use found objects, image banks, etc)
I a general way, I like (and need) to write down some ideas when starting a project. It’s helpful for me to get things clear. Basic process is the same for both illustrations, logo design or advertising. It starts on the paper, with sketches, more or less finished, sometimes it’s just rough. When this part is good for the illustrations, I redraw the paths in Illustrator, add some fonts, some text, some graphical fancies. The main design is done here. Then, I jump to Photoshop, where final colors, effects and textures are finalized.

4. How did you get started with your artistic career?
After 2 years in an Art School, I began working at web agencies and creative studios, as a designer first and later as Artistic Director on various projects, both online and offline. I always wanted to work on my own, driving projects myself, deciding of my own clients better than being under the “power” of a business guy who could sell design, fish or buy cars the same way. So, I am now working freelance for about 5 years, for different kind of clients like small companies, artists, agencies, bands, etc. I’ve been lucky enough to work only on great projects, even the ones done for money :). I try to do the most illustration works possible but it’s not that easy.

5. What would you say is one of your greatest accomplishments?
Well, I hope that is still to come! I wish I could get more feedback from people about my work to know what they like and think. But for the professional part, I will say the illustration work I have done for Talent, an agency in Brazil. It was pretty much a challenge because it was new to me to make something with shoes. Not my usual area. But the project went great and everyone was happy with it.

I’ve also just launched a new project that I hope will grow to become an important part of my work. It is called La Lust Propaganda, it’s an online magazine, an art-digging and exchange place between people and artists, sharing ideas and experiences, giving feedback on each other’s works. It’s a young project, I guess it will evolve, we already have ideas for future. It’s only in French so, sorry for the non-speaking, but everybody is welcome anyway.

6. Where does your inspiration come from? Or is there any particular movement, artwork or artist you find yourself influenced by?
Too many to list here. I will say my personal background is the main one. This includes TV Series, movies, toys, books, fashion and  all the things I had around when growing up. I grew up in the 80s, just figure out, you can’t be left unmarked

Of course, actual art and design is important too, as well as other’s people work. I try to know about that but I don’t get too much into it, just take the good part of it and make it my way. Music is important too. I listen to different styles but I can be sensitive to artists like Robert Wyatt or Mark Hollis for example, who have a very personal approach of their art.

7. How do you see your artwork evolving from now?
Well, still in the graphic design area for sure! Doing more Illustration, Motion Graphics, being part of an agency or leading my own, who knows! I hope I can collaborate more with other creative people around the world, travelling, meeting people, building up big projects and sharing ideas. There is so much to do. I don’t want to make plans, i just keep on doing what I like, evolving and having fun, it’s already a big deal! - IC