@jeremybooth

Instagram: @jeremybooth

1. What’s your story? Where are you from?

I live and work in Louisville Kentucky. I was born and raised here and at 20 years of age I left and lived in Los Angeles just shy or 4 years. LA was great but it wasn’t home. So I made my way back to Louisville and I have been here since. When I moved back I decided to officially pursue design after spending years playing with the Photoshop. While on that journey I taught my self illustrator and fell in love with flat illustration. During that journey I became ill and by ill I mean I began having seizures. I no longer could drive, i injured my self several times from seizing on concrete, and I had not idea if the future was bright. I found out that I had a tumor on my brain that caused the seizures. After a long and dark 8 months of seizures, doctor appointments, and eventually brain surgery I came out healthy. They were able to remove the seizure and I have been seizure free since. Design and illustration became my distraction from a terrible reality and that is what I spent most of my time doing. I grew a lot and it really helped me develop a foundation for who I am today.

2. Tell us about your aesthetic?

My aesthetic is what I would call vector noir. I have been pursuing this style for over a year now. For a long time I tried many styles within the genre of flat illustration but nothing really stuck. Then I saw a Tomorrowland poster in a Disney poster book that really resonated with me. I used that as a resource to devour the internet to find work similar. With time and practice my work has developed into what it is today. My work is always limited in color, anywhere from 4-6 colors and not including white. It’s very print friendly. I also enjoy working with negative space, just like the old Plakastil posters.

3. What is your favorite medium and why?

I illustrate everything on my computer digitally. It starts as a sketch but always ends on my computer. So my favorite medium is digital and on my computer.

4. What is your artistic process like?

I use photographs as reference’s and inspiration to create my art. Once I come up with a concept I sketch it out on my iPad. This helps me with layout and get a good idea on direction before creating in Adobe Illustrator. I also spend a lot of time on color. coolors.co is what I use to come up with a color palette. Check it out if you aren’t familiar. Color for me can take up most of my day, I’m very picky about it.

5. Who and/or what inspires your work?

I’m currently going through a phase where I find a lot of inspiration in photos. My buddy Joel Bear uses a lot of harsh lighting in his photos and I can really relate to that. Vintage PSA/Plataskil posters are always a go to for inspiration also.

6. What role does art play in your life? How does it change the way you view the world?

Art is very important to me. I am seeing more of my style within the everyday. I notice it and I document. When I first started 5 years ago I looked to a lot of other artists for inspiration but I am now at a place where I see it in everyday life. Shadows, buildings, and experiences all effect me. It makes life more colorful.

7. Where did you study?

I never had any formal education. I am self taught and will continue to do so for the rest of my career.

8. Where do you see yourself in five years? Working in an agency?

I hope that my freelance business is thriving. I don’t see myself working for an agency, I like working for myself.

9.What about in ten?

I’m hoping by ten years that I would have created some sort of product based off of my illustration. That might be a book, board game, brand, or something. Ten years is a long time to really know, if you would have told me 6 months ago that I would have a solo show in Paris I would have said you are crazy.

10. What do you hope to achieve with your art?

I think I am still tying to figure that out, as of now I want to create a connection between my work and the viewer. I believe that connection is different between each person.

11. Now, tell us a little bit more about you as a person: what is your favorite food?

Most recently I have been really enjoying Ramen. I will always be a fan of a great hamburger though.

12. Favorite book?

The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis

13. Favourite genre of music?

Hip Hop and Retro Wave

14. What are your hobbies?

Drinking Coffee, Hiking, Exploring new places, and Running

15. If you weren't an artist, what would you be?

Maybe a mens fashion blogger or a brand rep for a bourbon company?