CH.89: If you were to categorize or describe the style of your artwork, what would it be and why?
RF: I would have to say it’s very free and organic. Aesthetically speaking I like to experiment a lot, although I tend to draw figuratively. I love using areas of color combined with line-work, and play with brushes and different digital techniques. Subject wise I never limit myself since I love drawing from inspiration. There can be something about mental health one day and a quirky and funny illustration another day. I am curious myself to see how my style will continue evolving.
CH.89: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
RF: Everything. I’ll have periods of time when I prefer drawing a lot of characters, but other days I might switch to plants or furniture. I love freedom and illustrating is one area where I can enjoy that the most.
CH.89: Can you talk a little bit about what your creative thought process is like when starting a new project/ piece of artwork?
RF: Depending on if there is a brief or it’s just a personal project there are differences in the process but ultimately it always starts with a personal perspective. Since I am the one creating the illustration, I cannot help but infuse it with my subjective view of how I would like to perceive the idea myself if I were to see it exposed in front of me. This usually translates as an image that I see in my mind’s eye, after which I start sketching it on paper to catch the composition before it becomes blurred. The image that I see in my mind is probably a product of my imagination, training and emotional response. It’s quite hard to distinguish but it already has character and composition. If it stills gives me the same feeling on paper I take the process further or tweak some elements that don’t fit as good as I thought. Then follows the details of the color palette and final composition which I like to play a lot with until I am happy with the end result. The flow of my process is very satisfying to me since it engages so many aspects of my personality.
CH.89: Is there anything in particular that you would want people to take from your artwork?
RF: I really love it when people read through and perceive the subtleties I include in my work, but even when that doesn’t happen I still hope that at least my work elicits an emotional response instead of just being a technically correct composition with no human touch to it.
CH.89: Can you talk a little bit about your lifestyle as an artist and what that is like?
RF: I have a background in architecture and design and I still share my work life in between working a job as a designer and building on the illustration side. I love them both and I will keep them with me as long as I can. I am curious to see what opportunities will arise and how I will be able to continue having projects in both areas. I do see myself going freelance and having more personal freedom to create work on my own terms.
CH.89: When starting out an artistic task, do you think it is better to have a particular direction/set plan guiding your way? Or, is it better to act on impulse and go from there?
RF: This always depends on the project’s scope. I can work well with both approaches but I always keep in mind what the goal is. If I have to follow an already existing brief than I come from a mindset where I already have accepted that I have to work within certain requirements. And similarly if I have complete creative freedom I switch to the mindset that works best with that situation. I’ve trained myself to make peace with the situation always and hopefully I manage to be happy with the results in both cases.
CH.89: What is one major lesson you’ve learned as an artist thus far?
RF: Allowing myself to be one. I’ve had ‘a catch me if you can’ relationship with art for many years and I had to learn to play with it, since it never stopped bothering me. I tried ignoring it many times in my past with no success.
CH.89: Do you regard personal style & taste to be of highest importance?
RF: Personal style and taste matter a lot since you are who you are and you do what you do in your unique way. But it is also a changing thing in itself for me at least, so it always comes down to personal choice on how much you can be flexible with that.
CH.89: What do you consider to be the hardest thing about being an artist?
RF: Creating a friendship between the impulsive and seemingly elusive personality of art and creativity and the practicality of life. How you manage to integrate art in your life, be it a hobby or making it your so called job, I believe is an art in itself and one that I am still figuring out.
CH.89: What is one thing you love about being an artist?
RF: The freedom of it. I love working in teams, there is great value to that, but in art there is a part of me that can come to the surface and be wildly free which is hard to do in most areas of existence. There is nobody telling me how to do my art (unless I receive useful advice) and I love that.
CH.89: Is there anyone in particular, any artist’s that inspire you in any way?
RF: I am inspired by so many and can never settle for just one. But for the sake of spreading inspiration, I love Amanda Oleander for the way she manages to catch the beauty of living life though her drawings.
CH.89: What do you think of technology in terms of being a useful tool for artists today?
RF: Well, the brush was probably called ‘technology’ as well when it was first invented and it is no different today. Technology offers us tools and it is our freedom and privilege to use them as we please. I personally love what technology is offering in terms of diversity and creativity. A big part of my work is made digitally and the freedom and options that come with that is amazing.
CH.89: Do you think being an artist allows you to view the world differently from those who don’t follow creative paths?
RF: We each see the world differently no matter what we call ourselves. Following a creative path has it’s special characteristics but is still very specific to each individual. I believe that allowing ourselves to explore and express our creativity brings a lot of richness to the surface, and shapes the way we view the world.
CH.89: Do you enjoy traveling? If so, do you have a favorite city?
RF: I like travelling, especially because I am so curious about people and the diversity of cultures we have in the world. I see myself more as an explorer and I would love to live in different places for a couple of months throughout the year, in order to be able to actually soak in the real richness of that environment. Right now I am in love with Amsterdam, which is also where I live.
CH.89: Do you have a favorite author or book?
RF: No favorites again since I can never choose. But Don Quijote De La Mancha by Miguel De Cervantes is so inspiring for all the perspectives it can be seen from.
CH.89: Any future goals or plans for your artwork?
RF: I would love to be able to invest and develop more my illustration-art in the direction of product design. This would be a perfect combination of my love for design and art.
CH.89: What does being an artist mean to you?
RF: Freedom.
CH.89: What’s the last song you listened to?
RF: Throwback to the 80’s: Black-A wonderful life.
CH.89: Any last words on the aesthetic of your artwork?
RF: Always evolving.
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