TODAY'S ARTIST: Jorge Mascarenhas

TODAY'S ARTIST:  Jorge Mascarenhas 

Today's Artist is one of my personal favorites, illustrator Jorge Mascarenhas, from Massachusetts.  I had the honor of getting to know Jorge and I'm excited to share this article with you all.

Ready?  I am!!


The Binding

TAC - Hello! How are you today? What's been going on?!


JORGE - Iโ€™m doing great! Working on an exciting project at the moment. Canโ€™t say much about it though.


TAC - No worries, I completely understand. Whatever it is, I am excited to see it when itโ€™s ready for public viewing!!


Want to start off by introducing yourself? Where are you from and does your environment inspire your artwork? How old were you when you started creating art?


JORGE - Iโ€™m Jorge Mascarenhas, Iโ€™m a freelance illustrator whoโ€™s been working professionally since 2007. I grew up in three different countries: U..S, Brazil, and Mexico. I always drew without formal training until I attended Junior College. I was over 18 when I took my first life drawing class.


TAC - Oh wow, I didnโ€™t know about Brazil. I knew about Mexico, thatโ€™s great!


Who are your biggest artistic influences?


JORGE - My first big artistic influence and the one who spurred me into pursuing art, was my father. He used to create his own soccer magazines, by using this old comic style, reminiscent of his comic collection from the 1950โ€™s. He was meticulous in making these, from the binding to the writing, and this was something that I wanted to do when I was older. 


I collected various comics throughout my childhood (in the 1980โ€™s). During my time in elementary school in Brazil, I created animal characters of all my classmates and made a comic named, โ€œFerinhas,โ€ ("little beasts," in Portuguese), and used to sell them in school for a nickel.  I counted with the help of three friends which provided ideas for the stories.


Rapture


TAC - Iโ€™d love to see your fatherโ€™s soccer magazines. He must of had a lot of fun making those.   I love that kind of creativity.


Do you have a favorite medium? Tell me about your favorite medium?


JORGE - During college I fell in love with oils, as I envisioned myself becoming an oil painter like Gregory Manchess and Skip Liepke. As I worked more and more, I realized I liked little bits of each medium, so Iโ€™ve incorporated all of them into my work process. I use ink, acrylics, and oils in my earlier work, with digital collage being incorporated later. I didnโ€™t see myself working completely digital, but today Iโ€™m creating more 100% digital works than traditional ones.


TAC - I love hearing about artists creative growth and process. This is awesome, thank you for sharing that bit.


Do you have any other sources that you pull inspiration from?


JORGE - For inspiration I look in the past. Old masters from the symbolism movement are my major source of inspiration. Also, I look at other art forms like photography, film, sculpture, and architecture. Old fairy tales are the core of my concepts, as well as folklore from different countries.


TAC - You can absolutely tell, and it produces such beautiful work.


When is your favorite time of day to create?


JORGE - Early mornings is when I get most of my work done. Whether itโ€™s working on a deadline, teaching online, getting all my business paperwork done, itโ€™s all in the 7:00AM - 4:00PM window. I do have a strict schedule as I have a family and want to dedicate the rest of the day to them. Some projects require that you work longer, and I might extend the work hours into the night.


TAC - Completely understandable, family comes first!


In your own words, can you describe why art is important to the world?


The Audience

JORGE - Imagine a world without it! Nothing would have an identity. You wouldnโ€™t be able to distinguish cultures, brands, stories, and so on. It defines so many aspects of our day to day life, from admiring a masterpiece in the Louvre to an instructional pamphlet in your latest IKEA purchase. The world needs art to function.


TAC - I couldnโ€™t agree more, honestly!!


What motivates you to create?


JORGE - An unexplainable, โ€œitch,โ€ to draw, which is often associated with feeling complete.


TAC - Nice!! I like that!!


How do you define, "success," as an artist?


To The Sabbath


JORGE - There are different levels of it. The most basic is being able to create on a daily basis, and being able to make a living can be considered successful.  After all, youโ€™re living a life that most donโ€™t get to experience. You could add all the accolades and public recognition to the next level of it. I consider myself fortunate being able to wake up everyday and work in my studio. As long as you put your soul into your work, the rest will be there.


TAC - Thatโ€™s truly a beautiful response, and itโ€™s honestly refreshing speaking and learning from an amazing, such as yourself, seriously.  It's great knowing that an artist of your stature, is incredibly appreciative of what they have, which, in my opinion, makes it more relatable, from a fans standpoint.


How do you develop your artistic skills?


JORGE - Itโ€™s always great to listen and watch other artists at work. Usually, you can take a few things and apply it to your own process or mentality. When I was in college, I never missed a guest speaker. It didnโ€™t matter if I liked their work or not. It was for the sole purpose of learning from a different perspective. I found out that I learned more from the artistโ€™s whose work I didnโ€™t like.


TAC - Oh wow, thatโ€™s a great point-of-view! I think a lot of people can learn from you with that kind of outlook.


Have you worked as professional artist before?


JORGE
- Iโ€™ve been working professionally since 2007.


TAC - Has your style changed over time or have you basically kept true since the beginning?


JORGE - My style has evolved gradually since Iโ€™ve started working professionally. As an artist, it is important that work evolves, as stagnation can be deadly. You never know when your work will be, โ€œout of fashion.โ€


TAC - Nice!


What's your favorite and least favorite parts of professionals arts?



Masque of Red Death

JORGE - Working with client(s) is always my favorite part. Getting a script for a story and coming up with something that you have never thought is very rewarding. The freedom of creating on a daily basis is something I will never take for granted. Iโ€™m not fond of politics, but it is something present in every profession out there.


TAC - Do you have a network of other artists? If so, how do they support and/or mentor you?


JORGE - Illustrator Owen Smith was sort of my mentor after I graduated from college. We lived close by, so I would often bug him for critiques and professional advice. Iโ€™ve learned a lot from him.


TAC - I love that!! I love when other artists help out other artists. Itโ€™s a community and needs to be treated like a family, I think


What have critics and collectors said about your work?


Deliverance


JORGE
- There are many who have started collecting my earlier work in the last two years. Many of them have been following my work for years. I have the last 100% traditional works of art for sale at my online store, which is at jmascaart.bigcartel.com


TAC - I just recently purchased one of your pieces that I am very excited to have. One of these days, I want one of your original pieces!!  Itโ€™s a, โ€œneed,โ€ at this point really, haha


How do you manage a work-life balance as an artist?


JORGE
- Keep a consistent schedule. My work hours are always 7:00AM - 4:00PM. My wife and kids come back from work and school late in the afternoon, and that time is dedicated to them. I usually donโ€™t work weekends, but that is subject to change if a project requires it.


Lady Gwen

TAC - Thatโ€™s something I need to learn, the balancing my biotech career, the many blogs I write & own, and my own art.


How can we, The Art Collective, help your career growth?


JORGE
- Iโ€™m grateful for this interview.  Just share it with your audience!


TAC - I definitely will!!!


Describe your dream project and do you have a dream collaboration with anyone?


JORGE
- My dream project is to illustrate a horror classic for the Folio Society. Itโ€™s something that is on my bucket list!


TAC - Oooooh, that would be sweet!!!


Do you have a picture you can share with us of your first piece of art?


Brittney's Home V:  The Play Room

JORGE - Unfortunately, I donโ€™t have any digitized versions of my childhood work. They are gathering dust in box, in a storage somewhere.


TAC - Awwww, that sucks!!! I hope one day, we all get to see them!!!


Do you have a favorite and/or least favorite work of art you created?


JORGE
- I do have few favorites, but that changes when I create a new piece that I like. The feeling isnโ€™t long lasting. Iโ€™m always thinking I can do a better piece. My least favorite ones are somewhere in a landfill ๐Ÿคก


TAC - LMFAO!!! Thatโ€™s hilarious. I also understand the favorite part to, where you create a new favorite piece and then it just becomes more difficult to really pick an actual favorite.


Can you tell me your about techniques when you're experiencing a creative block?


JORGE
- Go out to buy groceries or run another errand. This takes your mind away and saves you from overthinking. Usually the idea comes when youโ€™re in the middle of such errand. Reading can help as well.


Brittney's Home IV:  The Music Room
(I'm in-love with this one.  I need it in my home)


TAC - Iโ€™ll have to try that!!


Do you have any favorite artists?


JORGE
- The ones that have influenced my style are: Andrew Wyeth, Edvard Munch, Yoshitaka Amano, Mark English, Bernie Fuchs, Edward Gorey, Dave McKean, Gary Kelley, Greg Manchess, Skip Liepke, Vilhelm Hammershoi, Ayami Kojima, Jose Guadalupe Posada, and Antonio Lopez Garcia. Iโ€™m probably forgetting some.


TAC - Excellent! Great artists there, and some I need to look up!


What kind of movies do you like and does that inspire you work?


JORGE - The movies like are, โ€œDark Crystal,โ€ โ€œThe NeverEnding Story,โ€ โ€œThe Shining,โ€ and "The Secret of NIMH,โ€ were huge in shaping my, โ€œtaste,โ€ when I was younger. 


I love a good horror movie, and do like modern A24 hits like, โ€œThe Witch,โ€ โ€œMidsommar,โ€ โ€œHereditary,โ€ and โ€œX.โ€ 


Iโ€™m also a huge fan of Guillermo Del Toroโ€™s, โ€œPanโ€™s Labyrinth,โ€ and โ€œCabinet of Curiosities.โ€


Kissed By Night

TAC - Almost every one that you have mentioned are some of my favorites, and ones that I really enjoyed.  I really love Guillermo Del Toro as well.


What kind of music do you like and does that inspire your work?


JORGE - My favorite genre of music is soundtrack scores. I love the work of Ramin Djwadi, Thomas Newton, Hans Zimmer, James Newton Howard, Ennio Morricone, Clint Mansell, and Trevor Morris among others. This type of music gets me thinking of ideas and imagining situations.


TAC - Nice, I like that! Especially music by Ramin Djwadi.  Composers have a brilliant way of making you visualize a story, without having it right in front of you.


Do you have any hobbies?


JORGE - Iโ€™m a gamer on my spare time. I love playing games like Elden Ring, Sekiro, Red Dead Redemption, Witcher, Resident Evil, Skyrim, and FIFA. Iโ€™m also an alright cook. I like preparing meals for my family and experimenting new ones on my spare time.


TAC - Mmmm, food!


What's some interesting facts you'd like to share?


A Poor Choice in New England

JORGE - I speak three languages fluently: English, Spanish, and Portuguese. My family is Brazilian, with my father being of Portuguese & Eastern European background, and my mother is Japanese. I was born in Boston, during my fatherโ€™s studies at MIT, then we moved to Brazil when I turned five. When I turned twelve we moved once more because of my fatherโ€™s work, this time to Mexico. After graduating from high school we moved back to the states, this time to Humboldt County, California. After taking a couple of years off community college, I moved to San Francisco Bay to study illustration at the California College of Arts.


TAC - Thatโ€™s quite a background!! I love it! I love hearing and learning about peopleโ€™s cultures, especially people that I really admire and look up to.


If you were to make a parody project of a famous piece of artwork, what would it be?


JORGE
- Probably the painting of, โ€œOphelia,โ€ by Sir John Everett Millais. Iโ€™d love to put my own twist on that concept.


TAC - That is something I would love to see and I really hope that you make that happen. Thatโ€™s my favorite work by Sir John Everett Millais.

I hope that we get to see it one day!!!!

Thank you so much for taking the time to do these questions, I know your time is very valuable, and it means a lot that you would give me this opportunity to get to know you, share your life, and work on my blog, The Art Collective.  

I really look forward to seeing what you create next!

BEFORE WE GO, LETS CHECK OUT SOME MORE OF JORGE'S ART!!


















SINCE WE ARE COMING TO AN END WITH TODAY'S ARTIST INTERVIEW, DON'T FORGET TO SHOW SUPPORT...

There are many ways to show support to your favorite artists, artists you're just discovering, up-in-comers, and the community. Buy their art, show off your purchase on social media tagging them, subscribe to their newsletter | email list, react & comment on their posts, if they have a video - watch the video (to better understand how knowing the tips and tricks to getting results from videos, go here & here). Tag your friends in the artist's posts that you know that they'll love and appreciate, that would likely have them following that artist as the end result of being tagged in a post; same with sharing.

Portfolio:jmasca-art.com
Instagram: @jmascarenhas
Twitter: @jmascarenhas
Tumblr: Caprichos
More links on Jorge's LinkTree, including a couple more places you can purchase his art, like Etsy & where I purchased from, Jorge's InPrint shop.

BEFORE WE SAY GOODBYE...

I just want to say thank you to Jorge for taking the time to do this interview and giving me this awesome opportunity to get to know him and to showcase his brilliant talent on The Art Collective!


Cheers!
- Vanessa Moylan-Theodore