Freddie Jacob is a Lagos-based digital artist whose works are influenced by personal experiences, African identity and mental health issues etc. In this interview with Daily Trust on Sunday, Jacob shares her journey, insights and the importance of staying true to one’s artistic voice.
Can you share a bit about your journey as a digital artist and illustrator? What inspired you to pursue this career path?
I’ve always been drawing as a kid. I always loved animated media and drawing characters and people on the back of old notebooks. Growing up, colourful cartoons, movies and books inspired my imagination and creativity. I would say I grew into this career path but wasn’t encouraged to choose it earlier in my life. I chose to be a full-time professional artist later as an adult, knowing this is the path that keeps me happy and feeling fulfilled.
What software and tools do you prefer to use in your digital art and illustration projects, and why?
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I use mainly my iPad and Apple Pencil to paint, the software I use is called Procreate. I have been using them for years now and they are my preferred painting tools because they are very good for digital art, like my cool work buddies.
How do you approach the creative process from concept to completion in your artwork?
My creative process is quite normal, I form my idea, create mood boards, pick out colours and decide on the art direction to take. I sketch my idea with my Apple pencil and paint. It’s almost just like a normal traditional process, just that the canvas is digital. My hands are still my biggest and most important tools.
Can you highlight a project that you are particularly proud of and walk us through the creative decisions you made during its development?
In 2021, I released my first digital art collection and shared it with the world. It was titled Eguono – Love I, it was a collection created to celebrate love in my language (Urhobo). I used a phone and stylus to paint back then and created all the pieces with those tools. The creative process was quite chaotic and even challenging but I enjoyed every step. It consisted of more than 10 unique pieces that were 1 of 1s and a few edition pieces. It was a collection created and moulded in the fire of love.
As a female digital artist, have you faced any unique challenges in the industry? How have you overcome them?
I love the digital art space in Nigeria because although it is a new rising space, it is very welcoming. However, the only major challenge for me is the fear of visibility and feeling like I and my voice might be drowned out because there isn’t even much visibility and appreciation of digital creatives of all genders in Nigeria, talk less of female digital creatives.
What themes or subjects do you find most compelling in your work, and how do they influence your artistic style?
I like to say I am my main muse. Most of my works revolve around storytelling that is influenced by my unique experiences of life, African identity, mental health, my Urhobo culture, and self-image. As a young woman growing up in Nigeria as creative, I paint what I feel. I go through bad times and channel that to my canvas; I go through good times and do the same.
How do you stay updated on the latest trends and advancements in digital art and illustration?
By being active on social media and the Internet, consistently reading magazines and books, and connecting and engaging with other artists. Just interacting with the whole art space and community, isolation doesn’t help.
Collaboration is often a significant aspect of creative work. Can you share an experience where you collaborated with other artists or professionals and how it impacted your work?
My best collaborative piece was with Semilore Stef. The title of the piece is Edore and can be seen on my IG page or portfolio. It is my best because Stef is an amazing artist whose style and work harmonize very well with mine. The process was very enjoyable and fun, I learned a lot, sharpened my skills, and also appreciated the team effort. Co-creating is a beautiful experience.
How do you balance creativity with the technical aspects of digital art, such as software proficiency and hardware requirements?
With digital art, good software is important but it can be a waste if you don’t have the skill to do anything with it; the skill is the balance.
Can you discuss your experience with client projects? How do you approach client briefs and ensure your artistic vision aligns with their expectations?
Commissions can be chaotic; bad and good clients exist. The best way to work with a client on a project is through effective mutual respect and communication. That is what has worked for me.
Are there specific artists or influencers who have inspired your work? How do you incorporate these inspirations while maintaining your unique style?
There are so many actually but for this article I would like to spotlight one artist (animator and filmmaker) who has greatly inspired my creative journey since I was a kid. That is Japanese creator, Hayao Miyazaki. His works and the world he has built with his films are very revolutionary but mostly beautiful. He took storytelling to unique levels and that is phenomenal. When I make pieces, I do my best to give my mind a voice through art, to communicate to the world through my imagination. That is something I have learned from watching Studio Ghibli movies. My style remains very unique, but this lesson is applied with every brushstroke I make.
In the rapidly evolving field of digital art, how do you continue to develop your skills and stay innovative in your work?
By just creating honestly, even during Art breaks, I still think about how to create something that challenges my hands, my mind, and my overall outlook on creating.
What advice do you have for aspiring female digital artists and illustrators entering the industry?
To never give up on their craft and never be afraid to share their voices through their art.
As a digital artist, how do you manage and overcome creative blocks or periods of low inspiration?
I just embrace breaks, I don’t believe in forcing your body and mind to come out of resting when it takes one, I see art blocks as a form of resting. We are humans and not robots. We can’t be creative machines every hour. And when I do urgently need to speed up a break, I go outside to meet up with other artists, the best inspirations come from being around other creatives.
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