This week’s artist’s spotlight focuses on Irena Freitas, whose colorful and highly stylized interpretations of young adult novels breathe new life into some of our favorites.
The Artist’s Spotlight is a Hypable weekly feature that will focus on someone who has caught our attention for fandom-related art, whether it be drawings, songs, crafts, or more! Every week you can expect a new talented artist we think you should be aware of!
Hypable: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Irena: I’m a 23 year old Brazilian illustrator. I’ve worked at gaming companies as a designer, but I currently work as a freelance illustrator drawing pictures for books and magazines.
How did you first get interested in art?
I have this huge tendency to overthink everything, so I guess art was just this natural way I found to express my thoughts and feelings.
Your style is very unique and fun! How did that come about, and do you have any influences?
Honestly, that’s the only thing I’ve never given a second thought. I always sort of had a drawing style, it just evolved during the years. One of my biggest influences is Mary Blair, she was a concept artist at Disney and her work with shapes and colors is just amazing! I never stop learning from her works.
What’s your usual process for creating your artwork?
I don’t have much of a process, most of the time I doodle something on a notebook and later color the drawing on Photoshop. Sometimes I do a little research when I’m drawing something I’ve never tried to do before, but that’s it.
You seem very inspired by YA pieces, what specifically draws you to that genre?
I have this life long love for YA. Ever since I was a kid I’ve been obsessed, not only with teen books, but also movies and TV shows, and I guess I never really grew out of it. YA is such a huge genre, it can be funny and silly but also extremely touching and heartbreaking, but my favorite thing about YA productions is that they always seem honest, like they are not trying to impress anyone, they truly just want the reader or viewer to enjoy that story.
If you could do the official cover-art for any book, which would it be and why?
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones! I love this book to the end of the world and it would be so much fun to draw all it’s characters and moments.
What’s the biggest challenge you face when it comes to your art?
Not being crushed by my crippling self doubt with my work is a big one. It’s really hard to work with something that’s usually so personal, and some days I feel that all my work is dumb and terrible and I feel like quitting everything. Getting past this feeling and getting work done is always a challenge.
Have you had any particularly memorable responses to your artwork?
Occasionally when I post YA fanarts the book author compliments me and it’s always soooo nice! Also, once, Lena Dunham bought a iPhone cover illustrated by me, it was pretty cool!
What advice would you give to any aspiring artists?
Never quit! I know what it feels like when you think that your work is going nowhere, but believe me hard work eventually pays off. Do the best you can and share it with people around you, don’t be shy with your work you will never improve otherwise.
Do you have any upcoming projects that you’re excited about?
I’ve just graduated from college, so at the moment I’m trying to figure out some stuff before starting something new, hahaha!
You can find Irena on Tumblr, Instagram, and through her personal website. Drop her a line and tell her about your favorite YA franchises!
Irena also has some of her artwork for sale through her Society6 page. You can get her gorgeous artwork on anything you could possibly dream of!