TODAY'S ARTIST: Jorge Mascarenhas
Ready? I am!!
TAC - Hello! How are you today? What's been going on?!
JORGE - Iβm doing great! Working on an exciting project at the moment. Canβt say much about it though.
TAC - No worries, I completely understand. Whatever it is, I am excited to see it when itβs 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 - Iβm Jorge Mascarenhas, Iβm a freelance illustrator whoβs 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 didnβt know about Brazil. I knew about Mexico, thatβs 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 1950βs. 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 1980βs). During my time in elementary school in Brazil, I created animal characters of all my classmates and made a comic named, βFerinhas,β ("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.
TAC - Iβd love to see your fatherβs 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 Iβve 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 didnβt see myself working completely digital, but today Iβm 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 itβs working on a deadline, teaching online, getting all my business paperwork done, itβs 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?
JORGE - Imagine a world without it! Nothing would have an identity. You wouldnβt 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 couldnβt agree more, honestly!!
What motivates you to create?
JORGE - An unexplainable, βitch,β to draw, which is often associated with feeling complete.
TAC - Nice!! I like that!!
How do you define, "success," as an artist?
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, youβre living a life that most donβt 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 - Thatβs truly a beautiful response, and itβs 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 - Itβs 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 didnβt 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 artistβs whose work I didnβt like.
TAC - Oh wow, thatβs 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 - Iβve 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 Iβve 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, βout of fashion.β
TAC - Nice!
What's your favorite and least favorite parts of professionals arts?
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. Iβm 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. Iβve learned a lot from him.
TAC - I love that!! I love when other artists help out other artists. Itβs a community and needs to be treated like a family, I think
What have critics and collectors said about your work?
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!! Itβs a, βneed,β 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 donβt work weekends, but that is subject to change if a project requires it.
How can we, The Art Collective, help your career growth?
JORGE - Iβm 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. Itβs 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?
JORGE - Unfortunately, I donβt 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 isnβt long lasting. Iβm always thinking I can do a better piece. My least favorite ones are somewhere in a landfill π€‘
TAC - LMFAO!!! Thatβs 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 youβre 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 - Iβll 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. Iβm 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, βDark Crystal,β βThe NeverEnding Story,β βThe Shining,β and "The Secret of NIMH,β were huge in shaping my, βtaste,β when I was younger.
I love a good horror movie, and do like modern A24 hits like, βThe Witch,β βMidsommar,β βHereditary,β and βX.β
Iβm also a huge fan of Guillermo Del Toroβs, βPanβs Labyrinth,β and βCabinet of Curiosities.β
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 - Iβm a gamer on my spare time. I love playing games like Elden Ring, Sekiro, Red Dead Redemption, Witcher, Resident Evil, Skyrim, and FIFA. Iβm 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?
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 fatherβs studies at MIT, then we moved to Brazil when I turned five. When I turned twelve we moved once more because of my fatherβs 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 - Thatβs quite a background!! I love it! I love hearing and learning about peopleβs 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, βOphelia,β by Sir John Everett Millais. Iβd 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. Thatβs 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...
BEFORE WE SAY GOODBYE...
